Air Force Academy

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force volleyball staff will have a new look in 2006, as head coach Penny Lucas-White announced the hiring of former USA National Volleyball Team member, Kyle Robinson, to the Falcons' coaching staff.

While helping Lucas-White and assistant coach Verna Julaton with the day-to-day operations of the team, Robinson will work primarily with the outside hitters and liberos. In addition, he will play a strong part in the recruiting phase for the Falcons' program. Robinson replaces Lt. Col. Scott Nelson, who has been reassigned within the Academy.

"I am so excited about our new addition to the staff," Lucas-White said. "Kyle comes with a wealth of knowledge from his vast experience as player and coach."

Currently the co-owner of Stellar Sports in Colorado Springs, Robinson comes to the Falcons with two successful terms with the USA Volleyball National Team. He first joined the team in March 2001 as a candidate for the 2004 Olympic team and played with them until May 2003. Robinson returned to the national team for a nine-month stint in 2004.

In addition to his experiences with USA Volleyball, the Philadelphia, Pa., native has also earned valuable international playing experience. Robinson began his professional career in 1998 with the volleyball club, Zorgvliet Antwerpen, in Antwerp, Belgium, where he was a three-year starter in the country's highest division. He also claimed the Top Foreign Player award each year.

Following his time with the U.S. national team, Robinson returned to the international field. As a member of the Ethnikos Volleyball Club in Alexandropoulos, Greece, he was a team captain and was ranked fourth on the league's scoring lists. He also spent a season playing with the Criollos Volleyball Club in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where he was the league's leading scorer.

In 2003, Robinson returned to Greece as a starter on two different professional teams. He was the league's fifth-best scorer as a member of the Aris Volleyball Club in Thesaloniki, before spending the 2004 season with the Poak Volleyball Club in Thesalonik.

A 1998 psychology major from Long Island University, Southampton Campus, Robinson was a team captain and All-American honoree at the middle and opposite positions.

In addition to his background as a player, Robinson has served as the head coach of the Pike Peak Volleyball Club and as a coach and trainer at the All-American Volleyball Camps.