MONTGOMERY, Ala. ------ Auburn Montgomery Interim Director of Athletics Jessie Rosa has announced the hiring of Melissa Robinson as the volleyball program's new head coach.
 
Robinson joins the Warhawks following a two-year stint at Tuskegee University. She is the second head coach in the history of the program, which will begin play in the fall of 2017.
 
"We are excited about the addition of Melissa to our department as AUM's head volleyball coach," Rosa said. "She has shown a tremendous enthusiasm about building this program and expressed a deep passion for the wellbeing of her student-athletes. She has a familiarity with recruiting in the Southeast and has a track record of identifying prospects that will succeed on the floor, in the classroom and in the community. I look forward to seeing how the volleyball program develops under her leadership."
 
During her two seasons with the Tigerettes, Robinson helped the team to a 32-32 record, including a 25-16 mark in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. In her first season at Tuskegee, she led the team to an 18-13 mark, the most wins by the program since 1997. Robinson coached four all-conference performers, including the 2015 Co-SIAC Player of the Year, and one All-South Region performer. She also guided a student-athlete to the NCAA Division II Statistical Championship in aces per set her first season.
 
While at the helm at TU, Robinson directed all aspects of the program, including the organization of practices and contests, team travel, budget management, recruiting, scheduling, supervision of team academics and team fundraising.
 
Prior to her tenure at Tuskegee, Robinson was an assistant coach at Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. In her lone season at CU, she played a key role in helping the Panthers qualify for their first NCAA Regional and coached three all-conference performers. Robinson served as an assistant coach at her alma mater South Carolina State in 2013, as well as the program's graduate assistant in 2012. She also worked with the OLC Volleyball Club in Orangeburg, where she guided a team to a fifth-place finish in the South Carolina club division.
 
Before joining the coaching ranks, Robinson enjoyed a stellar three-year career with the Lady Bulldogs, helping the team to the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. She finished her career with 128 kills, 134 assists and 996 digs, breaking the school season record with 449 digs as a senior. She also holds the school record with seven aces in one set. Off the court, she was a member of the SCSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

A native of Tallahassee, Fla., Robinson earned her bachelor's degree from South Carolina State in 2012.
 
"I would like to thank you Jessie Rosa and the hiring committee for having the confidence in me to lead the AUM volleyball program," Robinson said. "AUM has a proven track record of athletic success, dedication to the student-athlete experience and a commitment to its transition to the NCAA and the Gulf South Conference. I really enjoyed meeting the staff and other coaches, and I felt like everyone was passionate about the advancement of the university and the athletic department. I am excited about the opportunity to build the program at AUM and lead it into NCAA Division II."