KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn has promoted Angel Agu to head coach of the women's volleyball team, it was announced Tuesday.

Agu joined the Rams in March of 2020, helping lead URI to the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals in her first season with the program.

"Angel brings a high-energy approach to the job, and I am excited for her to take the reins of the program," Bjorn said. "She has the ability to relate to the student-athletes as well as a strong familiarity with the Atlantic 10. Angel has been successful at a high level both as a player and as a coach, and we are fortunate to have her at Rhode Island."

It was the first time since 2017 Rhode Island qualified for conference tournament. In a COVID-shortened season, the Rams were 7-8 overall and 5-3 in A-10 play. In each of the previous two years, Rhody had been 3-11 in league play.

"I am incredibly honored to be named the head coach for the Rhode Island volleyball program," Agu said. "I would like to give my utmost thanks to Thorr Bjorn, associate athletic director Brittney Miles, and the rest of the athletic administration for entrusting me to lead this program. 

"The support has been immeasurable, and I am incredibly grateful for the mentors and colleagues who have been a part of this wonderful journey. This is a very exciting time, and I cannot wait to hit the ground running with these amazing young women in continuing to build a tradition of excellence."
 
Agu came to Rhody after spending two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Wisconsin. In 2019, the Badgers won the Big Ten championship and reached the NCAA Division I National Championship match before falling to Stanford, 3-1. In the national semifinals, Wisconsin upset top-seeded Baylor. In her first season at Wisconsin, the Badgers reached the Elite 8.

During her two years in Madison, the Badgers collected eight AVCA All-America awards while combining to go 52-14 with a 33-7 record in Big Ten play. Additionally, during that two-year span Wisconsin picked up 19 wins over nationally ranked teams and was 7-3 against top-5 programs.
 
Agu began her collegiate coaching career in the Atlantic 10, serving as a graduate assistant coach at La Salle. There, she helped lead the Explorers to the program's best single-season winning percentage in conference play since joining the A-10.
 
As a player, Agu had a successful five-year career at perennial A-10 power Dayton from 2011-15. The 6-2 middle blocker was a two-year team captain and four-time Atlantic 10 champion with the Flyers. She helped guide the team to four appearances in the NCAA tournament, where they advanced to the second round three times.
 
Agu was a recipient of the 2015 Kacie Hausfield Teammate award for her leadership through example, commitment to the game, and support as a teammate for the Flyers. Additionally, she was a two-time nominee for the Northwestern Mutual Leadership Award.
 
A first-generation U.S. citizen, Agu earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with minors in Biology and Women Gender Studies, from the University of Dayton in 2016.