JERSEY CITY, N.J.- Saint Peter's University Athletics has announced Kayla Cruz and Victoria Schwendeman as assistant women's volleyball coaches for the upcoming season.
"I'm very excited to welcome Victoria and Kayla to our staff," Head Coach Joe Chojnacki said. "Both of them are very passionate about the sport and will bring a ton of new energy to the team. Victoria will mainly focus on developing our hitters and Kayla will work primarily with the defense."
Cruz has been an assistant coach for DIGS Volleyball Club in Wayne, New Jersey, and at the County College of Morris, in Randolph. The New Jersey native was the head coach of Princeton Volleyball Club for two years from 2020-22. Additionally, Cruz was a champions and sports administration intern for the Ivy League Conference in 2019. Cruz received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in May 2021 and a Masters of Arts in Athletic Leadership-Coaching in 2023 from Rider University.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to be on an amazing team with an incredible group of players and staff!" Cruz said. "I'm looking forward to what the season brings!"
Victoria Schwendeman is a former NCAA Division III student-athlete with over 12 years of volleyball playing experience, as well as four years of coaching experience. Schwendeman played volleyball at Salve Regina University where she received a Bachelor of Business in Global Business and Economics in 2020. Schwendeman currently serves as a club volleyball coach for Capitals Volleyball Club in Wayne, New Jersey. Additionally, she's coached at multiple high schools throughout New Jersey which includes being the varsity assistant at Wayne Valley High School and the head varsity coach at Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, New Jersey.
"I'm so excited to be able to join this program and help the team get better every day," Schwendeman said.
The Peacocks' regular season begins on Aug. 25 at the Bearcat Classic in Binghamton, NY.
