BILLINGS, Mont. – MSUB head volleyball coach Lisa Axel has announced the addition of Lianne Vicchio to the Yellowjacket volleyball program. Vicchio will begin her position as the assistant coach starting Monday, Feb. 23.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Lianne to our volleyball program," MSUB head coach Lisa Axel said. "Lianne is a very competitive, energetic coach that will be a great addition to our team. She has extensive coaching experience at the collegiate level, and will make an immediate impact on Yellowjacket volleyball."
 
Vicchio was raised in Orangevale, Calif., eventually attending Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, Calif. On the volleyball team, she was an outside hitter and four-year letter winner for the Broncos. She was an all-league and all-state selection.  
 
Vicchio went on to play volleyball at NCAA Division II Cal State Stanislaus under head coach Christina Lore. At Stanislaus, Vicchio finished her career in the Top-5 in kills in the conference and kills per set. She was an all-conference first-team selection twice in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, and a conference NCAA Player of the Week.
 
She currently holds the all-time record for overall kills and kills per set at Stanislaus, and was the team leader and captain for two years.
 
After earning her undergraduate degree in 2011, Vicchio was tapped by Coach Lore as an assistant coach for the program. She spent the next two years aiding the Warriors and was essential in everyday coaching and recruiting.
 
In June of 2014, Vicchio was hired as an assistant coach at Division I Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. She spent one season with the Bobcats and the Big Sky Conference.
 
After eight month at MSU, Vicchio is looking forward to starting her career as a Yellowjacket. "I am comfortable with Montana. I have a sister here now, and I am looking forward to going back to D2. After being at a D1 school and coming back, and I have learned a lot and will be able to put that knowledge to good use."
 
When asked about the opportunities at MSUB, Vicchio responded with an affinity for the program and an alignment of interests with the established coach and players. "When I had the chance to come here and meet with people, I really clicked with Lisa. I liked her vision of where the program is going, and I believe I can support and develop that."
 
"The mentoring aspect to coaching is very important to me," Vicchio continued. "I want to make an impact in every aspect of the program at MSUB. I am looking forward to working with the Fab-5 (the current MSUB volleyball players), and being a good role model for them. I also want to work in community relations and outreach. I want to bring awareness of what a good program MSUB has, and how good the players and staff really are."
 
Recruiting will take center stage for Vicchio as she begins her time with MSU Billings. The newest member of the MSUB athletic department, Vicchio started today in practice and leaves for a recruiting trip this weekend.
 
"I want to thank MSUB athletic director Krista Montague and Coach Axel for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Yellowjacket family," Vicchio said. "I am excited to begin, and can't wait to start work this spring in preparation for a successful season ahead."