MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball head coach Terry Culhane today announced that Raftyn Rignell has been named the new volleyball assistant coach at SMSU.

Rignell spent the 2009 season as a volunteer assistant coach at SMSU and helped the Mustangs to a 25-8 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.  She replaces Jessica Petersen, who resigned following the conclusion of the 2009 season.

“We're excited to have Raftyn join our staff,” said Culhane.  “She brings experience at the Division I, II, and III level from a coaching point of view, as well as competing as a player at the Division I level.  Our players are also familiar with working with Raftyn on the court this past season so the transition for our players should be comfortable.”

Prior to SMSU, Rignell spent two seasons (2007-08) as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Marquette University and three seasons (2004-06) as head coach at NCAA Division III Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D.  During her final season at Presentation in 2006, she led the Saints to a school record 14 victories and the program's first-ever winning season.  In addition to her duties as head volleyball coach at Presentation, she worked as the assistant women's softball coach, Senior Woman Administrator and also spent one season as the assistant women's basketball coach.

In the summer of 2009, Rignell was the head coach of the Southwest Minnesota Junior 18's club team, which tied for eighth place at the national tournament.

A native of Marshall, Rignell earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut in 2004, where she was a four-year letterwinner (2000-03) in volleyball recording 446 kills and 189 blocks in her career.  She is currently completing her master's degree from Northern State University.

Rignell and her husband, Derek, a former SMSU baseball player, live in Marshall with their son, Rocco.