Photo by: © Tim Cowie | GWUPhotos.com
Leo Sayles Steps Down as Head Coach of Gardner-Webb Volleyball
December 17, 2018 | Volleyball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb volleyball's Leo Sayles has decided to resign as head coach, effective immediately, to become the head volleyball coach and Associate Athletic Director for Sports Ministry at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.
"I would like to thank Chuck Burch and Dr. Bonner for their sustained support of me as I sought to change the culture of Gardner-Webb volleyball," Sayles said. "I am deeply appreciative of the players I have had the privilege to coach, and the families who have supported us over the years. I wish my players all the best, and pray Gardner-Webb will find the right person to elevate the program in the future."
Sayles leaves Gardner-Webb as the program's leader for wins as a head coach in the Division I era with 82 victories, while also setting the record for most wins in a season at 15 in 2013.
The Runnin' Bulldogs also earned their first win over a major DI program under Sayles in 2017, defeating East Carolina in five sets.
Several of Sayles' players at GWU sit atop the record books, as Anna Pashkova (2012-15) owns the program record for most digs at 2,312 and Tyler Cockrell (2010-14) is the program's leading blocker at 477.
The Runnin' Bulldogs excelled in the classroom under Sayles' watch, earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Academic Team Award for each of the past seven seasons.
He also coached two Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients in Evan Moffitt (2011) and Amanda Sahm (2018).
Gardner-Webb has also earned the Big South Sportsmanship award for volleyball each of the past four seasons.
"I would like to thank Chuck Burch and Dr. Bonner for their sustained support of me as I sought to change the culture of Gardner-Webb volleyball," Sayles said. "I am deeply appreciative of the players I have had the privilege to coach, and the families who have supported us over the years. I wish my players all the best, and pray Gardner-Webb will find the right person to elevate the program in the future."
Sayles leaves Gardner-Webb as the program's leader for wins as a head coach in the Division I era with 82 victories, while also setting the record for most wins in a season at 15 in 2013.
The Runnin' Bulldogs also earned their first win over a major DI program under Sayles in 2017, defeating East Carolina in five sets.
Several of Sayles' players at GWU sit atop the record books, as Anna Pashkova (2012-15) owns the program record for most digs at 2,312 and Tyler Cockrell (2010-14) is the program's leading blocker at 477.
The Runnin' Bulldogs excelled in the classroom under Sayles' watch, earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Academic Team Award for each of the past seven seasons.
He also coached two Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients in Evan Moffitt (2011) and Amanda Sahm (2018).
Gardner-Webb has also earned the Big South Sportsmanship award for volleyball each of the past four seasons.
Players Mentioned
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