March 6, 2010 in Sports

Kosty leaves Cardinals

Volleyball coach hired at Indiana

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North Idaho College volleyball coach Chris Kosty has accepted an assistant coaching position at Indiana University.

Kosty’s record was 59-18 in two seasons at NIC. The Cardinals spent several weeks this season as the NJCAA’s No. 1-ranked team for the first time in school history before losing in the Region 18 tournament semifinals. Kosty’s 2008 team was third in the conference regular season, but won the Region 18 title and placed 11th at nationals.

Kosty met Hoosiers head coach Sherry Dunbar when the Big Ten school was recruiting Cardinals outside hitter Marketa Hanzlova, an NJCAA All-American who eventually committed to Arizona.

“It’s a huge stepping stone for me, career-wise, getting into the Big Ten and competing at that level,” said Kosty, who was an assistant at NIC for one year before his promotion to head coach. “It’s hard to leave because I felt (NIC) was my baby, but at the same time it was too good of an opportunity to say no.”

NIC athletic director Al Williams said he’ll begin a national search for Kosty’s replacement.

“We’ll get some strong candidates because of the program,” Williams said. “When you’re ranked No. 1 in the nation, I’m sure there will be a lot of people interested.”

Williams hopes to have a coach in place by next month.

Jim Meehan

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