Southern Wesleyan Names Heinz as Head Women's Volleyball Coach
Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan is excited to announce Anna Heinz as the new Head Women's Volleyball Coach for the Warriors.
"I am very excited to welcome Anna to the Warrior Family!" said Director of Athletics Julia Reininga. "She is a dynamic Christian who understands Southern Wesleyan University and the mission of the athletic department. Her playing career also helps her understand Conference Carolinas and the surrounding area. I know she will elevate the Warrior Volleyball Program to the next level."
Anna Heinz will join the Warriors via Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC where she served as the Assistant Volleyball Coach. Some of her points of focus while there were recruiting, film analysis and scouting, and assisting in the planning and facilitation of practices. While coaching the Monarchs, the program was recognized for the first time by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for Academic Achievement with a team GPA over 3.30. During her time at Methodist, the Monarchs went from a team with a 6-20 record in 2019 to a 13-17 record during the 2021 season.
Heinz has also served as a head coach and director of the LAVA Volleyball Club. She assisted the club in the budgeting, hiring and purchasing along with communicating between the organization and the various coaches. During the six years coaching the USAV and JVA volleyball 16 and 17U level teams, she compiled multiple Gold Division Championships.
Heinz spent her collegiate playing career at UNC Pembroke. She played for the Braves from the 2016 through 2019 seasons where she served as a libero and defensive specialist. Throughout her career in Pembroke, NC, Heinz recorded 1655 digs and 62 aces. She averaged 5.18 digs per set during the 2019 season and was ranked 47th nationally in all of Division II. She was named Team Captain the 2017 through 2019 seasons and received the UNCP Athletic Department Riddle Women's Athletic Leadership Award 2016-2019. In the classroom, Heinz was a three-time Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team honoree. She graduated from UNC Pembroke in May 2020 with a bachelor's degree in science education with a specialization in biology. After graduating from UNC Pembroke in May of 2020, Heinz pursued her Masters of Sports Management at Western Carolina University where she graduated in 2021.
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Julia Reininga and the committee for placing their confidence in me to lead the team," commented Heinz. "It is especially meaningful since Julia has spent so many years as the head coach. I look forward to building upon the foundation that she set for the program. After meeting with the team, I am convinced that together we can continue to grow the program and take it to new levels. I am very excited that God has opened the door for me to become a member of the SWU family!"
Anna Heinz is set to join the Warriors in Central, SC on March 7 in time for the spring season for the Volleyball program.
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