July 21, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - Volleyball coach Dave Stever announces the appointment of Rita Welsh as a graduate assistant volleyball coach. A 2010 graduate of Manhattan College with a major in Secondary Education, Welsh brings four-years of collegiate volleyball experience to La Salle.

Welsh finished her volleyball career at Manhattan ranked second all-time in school history in blocks with 426. During her senior campaign, Welsh served as team captain and led the squad with a .268 hitting percentage. She also led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 1.00 blocks per set average in her final season with the Jaspers. Welsh was selected to the MAAC All-Academic Team three times.

"I'm really excited to join the La Salle community," Welsh said. "I came from a De La Sallian community at Manhattan and I'm looking forward to joining another here in Philadelphia. I'm excited to coach on such a high level and to learn from coach Stever."

A native of Collegeville, Pa., Welsh has also coached at numerous summer sports camps and mentored children in New York-area schools.

Prior to joining the Jaspers, Welsh was a three-sport athlete at Methacton High School who participated in basketball and track and field in addition to volleyball. Welsh was the first volleyball player in school history to start and earn a varsity letter all four years.

Welsh plans to pursue a graduate degree in education at La Salle.