Steve Santonastaso was named the head coach at Rhode Island on March 22, 2017 after 12 years as an assistant with the program.

Santonastaso – who had been the associate head coach for the previous nine seasons - became just the second head coach in Rhode Island history since women's volleyball was recognized as a varsity sport by the NCAA in 1981. He replaced Bob Schneck, who retired at the end of the 2016 season, following 36 years at the helm of the program.

"I am so happy to have Steve Santonastaso take over as our head volleyball coach," Rhode Island Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn said in announcing Santonastaso's hiring. "He has been an integral part of our program for a long time. Over the years, he has taken on many additional duties that have helped us achieve incredible success. I am excited to continue working with Steve to put our volleyball program in the best possible position to compete for an Atlantic 10 Championship."

ONE OF 15 ORIGINAL BEACH COACHES IN NCAA | 2017 BEST INDOOR SEASON IN 12 YEARS + BEST BEACH SEASON IN 6 YEAR HISTORY

ASSISTANT COACH - COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

RUNNER UP SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

INITIATED BEACH PROGRAM

ASSISTANT COACH - STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Iain McCoy begins his third season with the Rhody volleyball team in 2017. Prior to joining the women's volleyball staff, he served as an assistant on URI's men's volleyball club team.

A native of Greenock, Scotland, McCoy graduated from Rhode Island in 2013 with a degree in marine biology and a minor in marine archaeology. During his time in Kingston, he was a five-year starter and two-time captain for the men's volleyball club team.

Rachel Bello was hired as an assistant coach of the New York University women’s volleyball team in March 2018. Her responsibilities include scouting opponents, setter and pin hitter training, as well as other program development within the team.

Bello joins NYU with a great deal of coaching experience.Since 2007 (except for the 2011-12 season), Bello has served as the Head Coach of the DIGS Volleyball Club in New Milford, NJ, where she is responsible for planning and conducting practices, orchestrating team strategy and developing the players’ mental and physical preparation for games.

Bello has also coached on the collegiate level, serving as an assistant at her alma mater, NCAA Division I University of Rhode Island, during the 2007 season.

A 2007 graduate of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Bello was a four-year member of the Rams’ volleyball team. She served as captain for two seasons and totaled 921 kills during her career.Bello, who also coached and played one season (2011-12) professionally for the TSV Hartberg Volleyball Club in Hartberg, Austria, has coached at numerous volleyball camps and also served as the Director of Volleyball for the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ.

Scott Schweihofer More Info...