Jim Giacomazzi has manufactured a complete turn around in his two seasons at the helm of the Pioneer volleyball program.

In 2007, the Pioneers recorded their first winning season in nine years (23-17) and qualified for the NAIA Region VI Tournament for the first time in four years. Four new season records were established and five Pioneers received post-season honors.

Last fall, Coach Giacomazzi led the WBU netters to their first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and the second-best record (26-8) in school history.

Coach Giacomazzi moved to the Texas Panhandle in 1991 to take over as head volleyball coach at West Texas A&M University. He led the Lady Buffs to a 36-2 record that year and a NCAA Division II National Championship. He followed that up with a 30-11 record and a third place finish in the NCAA Elite 8 Tournament in 1992.

The following year he founded the Crown of Texas Volleyball Club, a highly successful organization which remains active today and of which he is director.

A member of the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials and the Panhandle Area Board of Officials, as well as the American Volleyball Coaches Association, Coach Giacomazzi is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University.

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Education and Biblical Education and a Master's in Education from APU. He played professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres organizations from 1981 to 1983 before turning to coaching. He served as head volleyball coach at Oral Roberts University and at the University of Nevada-Reno, prior to moving to Canyon.

Coach Giacomazzi and his wife, Trish, a principal for the Hereford Independent School District, have three children: Chris, Nick, and Natasha.

Hailey Clark moves to the bench for the 2009 season after four years as a starter for the Pioneer volleyball team.

A two-time NAIA Scholar Athlete and a 2007 honorable mention All-Conference selection, Coach Clark was named the Pioneer Comeback Player of the Year in 2007.

She averaged almost two kills and two-and-a-half points a game during her career at WBU, and is fifth on the all-time block assists list with 168.

Coach Clark is a graduate of Monterey High School in Lubbock, Tex., where she was an All-District 4-5A middle blocker and an Academic All-State selection.

Laura Cortazar is beginning her third season on the Pioneer bench as a student assistant.

A graduate of Plainview Christian High School, Cortazar was a 1st team All-District honoree for the Lady Eagles.

She has a double major of Mathematics and Business at WBU.