BENNINGTON, Vt. – On Friday, Southern Vermont College Director of Athletics Michael McDonough announced the hiring of Stephanie Perna as the College’s men’s and women’s volleyball interim head coach.

Perna will take over the Mountaineers’ men’s program for the 2015 season, becoming the seventh SVC coach for the team. She has been a girls’ modified high school head coach in New York and played competitively for indoor and outdoor teams in the Syracuse area.

"Coach Perna provides the finishing touch to what we believe will be a special season for our men's volleyball team,” commented McDonough. “She will provide leadership and mentoring to an experienced and talented group of athletes.  We are indeed grateful for the commitment Stephanie has made."

While studying Travel and Tourism at Herkimer County Community College, Perna was a member of the women’s volleyball team for two years. She enrolled at HCCC after graduating from Westhill where she was a four-year player, being named to the All-Country Volleyball Team of Central New York her senior season.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” commented Perna. “I am thrilled and grateful for being selected to lead the SVC men's volleyball team for my first collegiate position. I am excited to see the growth of the team, one that I am confident will lead to great success.”

Perna and the Mountaineers are set to begin their regular season with a tri-match on January 24 at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.