COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, April 16, 2009.- Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.), the most decorated player in the history of volleyball and an international legend - both indoor and on the beach - has been named an assistant coach of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team.

U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) hired Kiraly as an assistant coach for the program which won the 2008 Olympic Games silver medal in Beijing. Along with McCutcheon, he joins a staff that also includes assistant coach/technical coordinator Jamie Morrison (Dana Point, Calif.) and athletic trainer Jill Wosmek.

"We all know how great Karch was as a player, and I strongly believe that he will have similar success in this game as a coach," McCutcheon said. "His addition to our staff is a huge boon for this program. His knowledge, experience and drive will be invaluable."

Kiraly, 48, has been recognized by many as the greatest volleyball player ever. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) named him as the greatest men's volleyball player of the sports first century. Kiraly is the only volleyball player -male or female - to win Olympic Games gold medals in both the indoor and beach volleyball disciplines. Further, he is the first volleyball player - and one of only two ever - to win three gold medals in the sport. He is a 2001 inductee into the Volleyball Hall of Fame and a 2008 inductee into the United States Olympic Committee Hall of Fame.