La Crosse, Wis. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Director of Athletics Kim Blum announced Wednesday that Deb Sazama has been hired as the new head volleyball coach. Sazama completed her first season as the Eagles' assistant coach and special assistant to the Director of Athletics in 2022-23. 

"First off, I'd like to thank the search committee and Athletic Director Kim Blum for this incredible opportunity," commented Sazama. "I am beyond excited to continue to work with the tremendous young women in this program and continue to build on the tradition of excellence that is expected academically and athletically at UWL."

Sazama is a very familiar face on campus as she was a faculty member of the UWL Exercise Sport Science from 2014-22; serving as associate chair in 2021-22. During this time, Sazama was the Director of the UWL Greater La Crosse Area Physical Education Program since September 2018 and Physical Education Teacher Education Program Director since August 2017. She was also the Director of the UWL Youth Sport and Fitness Camp.  

"I am very excited to have Deb become a member of our head coaching staff," stated Blum. "In just one season as the assistant coach, Deb has established an incredible level of trust with the student-athletes.  I am excited to see where that support of players, combined with Deb's past coaching and teaching experiences, will lead this tremendous group of student-athletes to. I believe in Deb's ability to guide the program back to a level of success that is competitive in the WIAC and at the national level."

Sazama's resume includes intercollegiate coaching stops at Winona State University (Minn.) and Defiance College (Ohio). At Winona State (Minn.), Sazama was an assistant coach from 2003-06. During this time, the Warriors saw their win total improve each year including having nine wins in her first season and 17 in her final season. 

Prior to arriving at Winona State (Minn.), Sazama was the head women's volleyball coach at Defiance (Ohio) from 2000-03. After going 7-24 in her first season, Defiance won 21 and 23 matches the next two years, including going 5-2 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2002. The 23 wins in Sazama's final season set a school record while the back-to-back 20-win seasons were also a program first. 

Sazama also has high school coaching experience as she was the head volleyball coach at Shawano Community High School (Wis.) from 1997-1999. The 2022 Wisconsin Badger Region Volleyball Club Coach of the Year, Sazama also has coached club volleyball at multiple levels for eight years, including the last three seasons for V-Hawk Xtreme. 

Sazama earned her bachelor's (1993) and master's (1997) of science degrees from the University of Wyoming. She earned her Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2017. She competed in track & field at Wyoming, serving as team captain.