TEMPE, Ariz.—Arizona State University has named Sanja Tomasevic its eighth women's volleyball coach, Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director Ray Anderson announced on Wednesday.
"First I'd like to thank Athletics Director Ray Anderson and Senior Associate Athletics Directors Don Bocchi and Ken Landphere for this opportunity," Tomasevic said. "I am thrilled to remain in Phoenix and to have the chance to lead this program to success on both the conference and national stages."
Tomasevic served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for ASU's indoor program in 2016, where the Sun Devils capped the year with three straight home wins, including a five-set thriller over Pac-12 rival Arizona. Following the season, Tomasevic was named the interim head coach for the indoor team.
"Sanja is the right choice at the right time to lead our indoor volleyball program to sustainable success," Anderson said. "I am confident she will build a culture of excellence and integrity, and provide an environment in which our student athletes will truly thrive."
Prior to her time in Tempe, Tomasevic spent two years at the University of Miami, where she helped the Hurricanes reach back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2015 season also marked Miami's second straight season with 20-plus wins. Tomasevic went to Miami after spending two seasons at Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Roadrunners.
"I look forward to bringing the best kids out there, nationally and internationally, to our program," Tomasevic said. "There is so much talent here in Arizona, and our goal is to keep them here give them both a quality education and a chance to do something really special in front of their friends and families."
The Serbia native played eight years professionally, including the final two as a co-captain of POMI Casalmaggiore in Italy. She was named to four All-Star Games and was named the Best Server at the 2010 European Challenge Cup. She won three league championships, including back-to-back Greek titles with Panathinaikos in 2009 and 2010.
A two-time All-American and the 2005 Asics and CVU.com National Player of the Year at the University of Washington, Tomasevic led the Huskies to four NCAA tournament appearances, including the 2005 National Championship, and a pair of Pac-10 Conference titles. In October of 2016, Tomasevic became just the second individual volleyball player to be inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame.
The former outside hitter ended her collegiate career as Washington's all-time leader in points (2,159.5), kills (1,795) and service aces (156). She is one of only five players in Huskies history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.
Tomasevic graduated from Washington in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
Sun Devil Volleyball Coaches
1973-78 – Mary Littlewood
1979-82 – Dale Flickinger
1983-88 – Debbie Brown
1989-02 – Patti Snyder-Park
2003-07 – Brad Saindon
2008-15 – Jason Watson
2016 – Stevie Mussie
2016-Current – Sanja Tomasevic
"First I'd like to thank Athletics Director Ray Anderson and Senior Associate Athletics Directors Don Bocchi and Ken Landphere for this opportunity," Tomasevic said. "I am thrilled to remain in Phoenix and to have the chance to lead this program to success on both the conference and national stages."
Tomasevic served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for ASU's indoor program in 2016, where the Sun Devils capped the year with three straight home wins, including a five-set thriller over Pac-12 rival Arizona. Following the season, Tomasevic was named the interim head coach for the indoor team.
"Sanja is the right choice at the right time to lead our indoor volleyball program to sustainable success," Anderson said. "I am confident she will build a culture of excellence and integrity, and provide an environment in which our student athletes will truly thrive."
Prior to her time in Tempe, Tomasevic spent two years at the University of Miami, where she helped the Hurricanes reach back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2015 season also marked Miami's second straight season with 20-plus wins. Tomasevic went to Miami after spending two seasons at Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Roadrunners.
"I look forward to bringing the best kids out there, nationally and internationally, to our program," Tomasevic said. "There is so much talent here in Arizona, and our goal is to keep them here give them both a quality education and a chance to do something really special in front of their friends and families."
The Serbia native played eight years professionally, including the final two as a co-captain of POMI Casalmaggiore in Italy. She was named to four All-Star Games and was named the Best Server at the 2010 European Challenge Cup. She won three league championships, including back-to-back Greek titles with Panathinaikos in 2009 and 2010.
A two-time All-American and the 2005 Asics and CVU.com National Player of the Year at the University of Washington, Tomasevic led the Huskies to four NCAA tournament appearances, including the 2005 National Championship, and a pair of Pac-10 Conference titles. In October of 2016, Tomasevic became just the second individual volleyball player to be inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame.
The former outside hitter ended her collegiate career as Washington's all-time leader in points (2,159.5), kills (1,795) and service aces (156). She is one of only five players in Huskies history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.
Tomasevic graduated from Washington in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
Sun Devil Volleyball Coaches
1973-78 – Mary Littlewood
1979-82 – Dale Flickinger
1983-88 – Debbie Brown
1989-02 – Patti Snyder-Park
2003-07 – Brad Saindon
2008-15 – Jason Watson
2016 – Stevie Mussie
2016-Current – Sanja Tomasevic