FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas head volleyball coach Robert Pulliza has announced the addition of Anders Nelson as assistant coach for the Razorbacks. An All-American during his playing career at Ball State University, Nelson’s last stop was at the University of Kentucky.
“I believe Anders is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the country,” Pulliza said. “He understands the commitment of what being a student-athlete is all about as he was an All-American and graduate sum cum laude. He will be a great part of this team as we continue our quest for championships.”
Nelson comes to Fayetteville after spending one season on the bench with the Wildcats who advanced to the regional semifinal round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, finished with a 28-6 overall record and a 17-3 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Among other duties, Nelson coached Kentucky’s middle blockers. In 2011, the Wildcats averaged 2.56 blocks per set, good for first in the SEC and 39th in the country.
At the club level, Nelson spent two years with the Munciana Volleyball Club in Muncie, Ind. Once again, as the coach of the club’s middle blockers, he helped lead Munciana to the 2011 AAU 18 Open National Championship with a near-flawless 66-2 record. During his coaching stint with Munciana, Nelson coached three AAU All-Americans.
He has also served as the assistant coach at Muncie Burris Laboratory High School. During that time, he helped the team to two state titles, a pair of national runner-up finishes and a 79-0 combined record. At Muncie Burris, Nelson coached two Gatorade Players of the Year and nine all-state performers.
During his playing career at Ball State, Nelson earned AVCA Second-Team All-America honors and was a two-time All-MIVA performer. He served as a three-year team captain for the Cardinals. During his senior season, he was second in the “Off the Block” National Blocker of the Year voting and finished fourth in the country in total blocks.
For the past three summers, the Saint Croix Falls, Wis., native has been director of the Nelson Volleyball Camp, a three-day camp established with his sister, All-American Meredith Nelson. Over three years, the camp has mentored more than 175 athletes. Nelson has further NCAA Tournament experience as a student statistics analyst for the 2006 University of Minnesota volleyball team that reached the regional finals under Hall of Fame head coach Mike Hebert.