The Arizona sand volleyball team added Olympian Tayyiba Haneef-Park to its staff in late October of 2014. Haneef-Park will serve as head coach Steve Walker’s assistant coach.
Haneef-Park brings an abundance of international experience, competing in three Olympic Games with the USA indoor team. Haneef-Park helped the 2008 and 2012 teams take home silver medals. She also helped Team USA win silver in the 2002 World Championship in Germany and the 2011 FIVB World Cup in Japan.
Haneef-Park attended Long Beach State University, where she was a first-team AVCA All-American as a senior, leading the 49ers to a 33-1 record and a runner-up finish at the 2001 NCAA Championship. She registered 5.03 kills/set while hitting .406 for the season.
“I am honored to be a part of the strong tradition of athletic and academic success of the University of Arizona,” said Haneef-Park. “Sand Volleyball is one of the fastest growing collegiate sports and I am excited to be a part of its history. My goal is to use my Olympic experience to help develop our women into some of the best Sand Volleyball players in the nation.”
Additionally, Haneef-Park was a three-time All-American high jumper at LBSU and competed at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, finishing 10th with a jump of 5-10 3/4. She was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame on November 19, 2008.
At Arizona, Haneef-Park’s prestigious and illustrious athletic background will make an immediate impact on the recruiting trails. She is well traveled thanks to her volleyball career, allowing her to establish wide recruiting roots.
“Not only will we be able to continue our search for top prospects in the usual talent rich areas,” said Walker. “But now we will really be able to expand our boundaries.”
For continued coverage of Arizona sand volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@ArizonaSandVB).
