ALBANY, N.Y. - University at Albany women's volleyball program and head coach Josh Pickard has announced the hiring of assistant coach Jill Loiars. 
 
"Jill will be a great addition to our staff here at UAlbany," said head coach Josh Pickard. "From her time as a DI athlete through the stops in her coaching career, she has gained valuable experience which will help our student-athletes reach their full potential. Jill is going to have a great influence on all parts of our program and I can't wait for her to get started!"
 
Loiars has compiled extensive coaching experience since graduation from the University of Dayton in 2016. Most recently serving as an assistant coach at McNeese University, she assisted in leading the team to a winning season in 2021. Improving from a 5-7 record in the delayed 2020 season (played in the spring of 2021), the Cowgirls made it to the Southland Conference Championship finale for the first time in 20 years with an 18-11 overall record, 9-5 in the league.
 
Starting her coaching career, Loiars became an assistant coach and the video coordinator at Villanova in July of 2016. Heading back to the A-10 after two years with the Wildcats, she spent two seasons with the Dukes. Throughout her four years at Villanova and Duquesne, she coached two first-team all-conference selections, one second-team all-conference honoree, and two conference all-rookie team members.
 
Before McNeese and after Duquesne, Loiars spent 10 months as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for LaSalle University. 
 
A four-year student-athlete at the University of Dayton, Loiars ranked second on the team in kills as both a junior (258) and senior (355). An outside hitter, she was named to the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship All-Tournament Team. Loiars was a two-time selection to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and was a member of the university's leadership council throughout her junior and senior years.
 
For more information on the University at Albany volleyball team, follow the squad's official social media accounts shown below.
Twitter - @ualbanyvb
Instagram - @ualbanyvb
Facebook – facebook.com/UAlbanyVB