Jan. 18, 2007
ATLANTA – Sally Polhamus, a five-year member of the Georgia Tech volleyball coaching staff, has been tabbed the new head coach for the Winthrop Eagles volleyball team, as announced by Winthrop University Tuesday morning.
Polhamus joined the Georgia Tech coaching staff in February, 2002, and helped the Yellow Jackets to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2003 and another to the Sweet-16 in 2004, along with two ACC Regular Season Titles (2003, 2004) and the ACC Championship in 2002.
“We are all very proud of Sally’s accomplishments and know that she will be a great asset to the Winthrop program,” said Georgia Tech head coach Bond Shymansky. “She will be missed by everyone in and around the program, but her influence on our success will be a lasting legacy.”
“I would like to thank Bond and Georgia Tech for giving me this incredible opportunity to be a part of such a special program,” said Polhamus. “I could not have asked to work for a better head coach; Bond’s vision, work ethic and motivation is the foundation of the volleyball program’s success, he is truly inspiring. He has been an incredible mentor and has prepared me as I take over the reins as the head coach at Winthrop University.
A former standout outside hitter at Xavier University, Polhamus assisted in the development of Georgia Tech’s outside hitters while serving as the defensive coordinator during matches. During her tenure on the Flats, two outside hitters earned All-America honors, including Lynnette Moster, who was a three-time All-American from 2002-04.
One of Polhamus’ primary responsibilities at Georgia Tech was serving as the recruiting coordinator, which resulted in the Yellow Jackets signing five of the top recruiting classes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, including the 2004 class that was ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com
A native of Fort Wright, Ky., Polhamus was a four-time all-conference selection at Xavier, earning all-Midwestern Collegiate Conference honors in 1993 and 1994, and first-team all-Atlantic 10 honors in 1995 and ’96. She finished her career as the Musketeers’ career kills leader (1,749), while ranking second in career digs (1,338).
In 2005, Polhaums was inducted into the Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame, becoming the first volleyball player to be inducted into her alma mater’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Polhamus graduated from Xavier in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical eduction. She earned her Master’s in educational administration from Dayton in 1999. Prior to her arrival at Georgia Tech, Polhamus was an assistant coach at Indiana for two years.
Polhamus, formerly Sally Schulte, married Stephen Polhamus in January, 2006.
