NEW ORLEANS — Wabash College announced Monday the hiring of Xavier University of Louisiana's Ryan Bowerman as men's volleyball head coach.
        Bowerman is in his second year as an assistant coach with XULA's women. He will begin his duties at Wabash in December.
        This will be a homecoming for Bowerman, who's a native of Crawfordsville, Ind., where Wabash is located, and a 2011 graduate of Wabash.
        "I have really enjoyed the time that I've spent with the XULA volleyball team, coach (Pat) Kendrick, and the entire XULA athletics department," Bowerman said. "I'm sad to be leaving, but I am also grateful that this job has allowed me to learn and grow as a coach and has prepared me well for my new coaching position. It has been an honor to be a part of such a successful program."
        Bowerman joined XULA in June 2019 and was an integral part of the best season in the program's history. Highlights included:
        •  First XULA team to reach the NAIA National Championship Final Site.
        •  XULA repeated as Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champions.
        •  School season records for victories (31) and blocks per set (1.93).
        •  The program's highest-ever national ranking: among "others receiving votes" (29th place) in the NAIA postseason coaches poll (Dec. 12, 2019).
        As a result, Bowerman was named AVCA NAIA Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
        "Wabash selected a great candidate to head their men's program," Kendrick said. "Ryan is an amazing coach. He has a wealth of knowledge in how to train athletes. His involvement with our team is certainly a contributing factor in why XULA Volleyball has continued to grow. We're definitely going to miss him."
        Wabash, a longtime NCAA Division III member, will compete in varsity men's volleyball and the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League for the first time in 2021 after several years as a club program. Bowerman played for Wabash's club team.
        Bowerman is the fourth XULA assistant in the last six seasons to obtain a college head-coaching position. The others were Alfred Williams (Harris-Stowe, then XULA) in men's basketball, Tarniesha Scott (Ottawa [Kan.]) in women's basketball and Hilary Lobenstein (West Alabama) in volleyball. Bowerman succeeded Lobenstein.
        XULA is conducting a national search to replace Bowerman.