Milligan College Buffaloes

Milligan College Tenn. (Jan. 30, 2008) --- Milligan College has announced that Doneva Bays of Gate City, Va., will return to her alma mater to lead the women's volleyball program.

Bays brings to the position a history of athletic success both as a coach and player. She coached at the collegiate level at both NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina University (S.C) and Georgetown College (Ky.), where she served as an assistant during their record setting year. The Georgetown Tigers, under the guidance of Bays, set a school record of 40-5 and achieved a ranking of 4 th in the nation, reaching the elite eight at the NAIA National Tournament. Bays also served as head coach of the Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego , Calif. Most recently, Bays served as assistant director of recreation for Scott County (Va.) Parks and Recreation.

As a player for the Lady Buffs in the mid-90s, Bays lettered in both volleyball and basketball. She earned NAIA All-American honors and was an All-Conference and All-Region selection for volleyball, leading the team to a No. 15 ranking in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. Additionally, she was named the Tennessee Valley Player of the Year. In basketball she posted over 1,000 points and was a pivotal part of the Lady Buffs basketball squad that finished 16 th at nationals.

“Coach Bays brings a solid and respected background to our volleyball program,” said Mark Fox, vice president for student development at Milligan. “Besides being a tremendous player herself, she has built a strong coaching resume. She is an experienced recruiter at the collegiate level and knows the unique qualities in players that it takes to mold a championship program at Milligan.”

Bays holds a bachelor of science in physical education from Milligan College and is working to complete a master's degree in sports science at East Tennessee State University.

“I am very excited to be back at Milligan,” said Bays. “I look forward to working with the team and being a contender in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.”