From LBSU Reports

Long Beach State women’s volleyball head coach Brian Gimmillaro has filled out his staff the 2009, announcing the hiring of former player Erika Chidester and the promotion of Matt Ulmer to complete the full-time staff.

“Both Erika and Matt are bright, enthusiastic young people who are very knowledgeable in the game of volleyball,” said Gimmillaro. “Current and future players here will benefit from their care and concern for the development of the skills necessary to succeed on the court and beyond.”

Chidester spent five years as a player with Long Beach State. As a freshman reserve in 2001, she reached the championship match with the 49ers. In 2002, she led the team with a .380 hitting percentage and earned All-Big West honors. A second All-Big West nod followed in her junior season, when she led Long Beach State in kills with 487 and received an All-Region Honorable Mention. After a medical redshirt in 2004, she closed out her career in 2005 with another outstanding year, posting 312 kills and once again earning All-Big West and All-Region honors.

Following her playing career, Chidester has spent the last two years as a graduate assistant at the University of La Verne, making two NCAA appearances and reaching the championship game in 2008. She has also worked as an assistant at Lakewood High School and has coached at the club level with Golden West and Cal Juniors.

Ulmer, a volunteer assistant with the team for the past two seasons will move to the second assistant position, where he will assist with recruiting and on-court instruction. A Division III All-American setter at Carthage College, Ulmer also was an assistant with the women’s team there, and has spent the last two seasons as coach for the Cal Juniors Club team, helping the squad earn two All-American selections on the way to a bronze medal in the Junior Olympics.