Blazerzone - VSU Athletic DepartmentBlazerzone - VSU Volleyball
 
Head Coach
Sia Poyer
Sia Poyer

Sia Poyer enters his fifth year as head coach for the Valdosta State volleyball program. A former graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, Poyer immediately made an impact on the team with his passion and knowledge for the game.

Poyer, who joined the athletic department prior to the 2005 season, more than doubled VSU's victories from the three previous seasons, winning ten matches in 2005 as compared to four total successes in 2003 and 2004. The ten victories were the most by Valdosta State since winning 15 matches in 2002.

VSU followed the break out 2005 season with a 21-15 overall record and a 7-5 conference record in 2006. They made a trip to the Gulf South Conference Tournament, finishing third during the regular season. This marked the first time VSU made it to the Tournament since 2000. Three players received Player-of-the-Week awards, including Grace George, who won the honor twice, Laura Lee Atkinson and Bentley Knox. Atkinson was also named All-GSC First Team while George received Second Team honors.

The 2006 squad set 12 school records including: total kills, total assists, assists per game, total digs, block assists, blocks per game and total blocks while setter Niki Patriarca, George and Atkinson each broke individual marks in a season.

While working on a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and a Master's in Sports Administration, Poyer spent 14 years as an assistant coach at Eastern New Mexico, first as a part-time coach and the final eight years as the school's first full-time assistant. During his eight years as the top assistant, the Zias tallied a 187-81 record, including a 25-9 mark and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional in 2004.

Several of Poyer's players at ENMU received Lone Star All-Conference Team accolades. Outside hitter ChristaBell Mariner was a three-time All-LSC player, former Blazer assistant Margie Goble twice earned the honor and Anna Bellum received the award once.

During his time at ENMU, the American Samoa native who moved to Killeen, Texas when he was nine, also taught in the University's Health and Physical Education Department. He was also the Director of Intramural Sports and Recreational Activities. Poyer oversaw and implemented all aspects of the intramural programs while increasing its participation as well.

Poyer also co-founded the Eastern New Mexico Juniors Volleyball club where he was the Head Coach of teh 18 and 16 year old teams for one season.

Poyer is married to the former Jennifer Goble who starred in both volleyball and basketball for Eastern New Mexico. An internet and publication designer, Jennifer is the Zias all-time leading scorer in basketball and was a four-time conference MVP in volleyball.

 
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