STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Abbey Sutherland, previously the head volleyball coach at the University of Southern Mississippi, has been named UW-Stevens Point's head volleyball coach.

Sutherland brings nine years of Division I coaching experience to the Pointers, including the last three as a head coach for the Golden Eagles.

"We are excited to welcome Abbey to UW-Stevens Point," said Director of Athletics Daron Montgomery. "Her years of Division I experience and knowledge of the game will help build on the recent success of our volleyball program."

"I am delighted to be a part of the Pointer family," said Sutherland. "I want to thank Daron Montgomery for the opportunity to continue my career at UWSP. It is evident that Stevens Point has the necessary resources to run very successful programs and I look forward to working with the volleyball team this fall.

"I also want to thank Southern Miss for the support that they have given me the past nine years. I'm grateful for my experiences and look forward to many more great experiences at Stevens Point."

Sutherland spent three seasons as head coach of the Division I Golden Eagles, compiling a 44-47 record. Prior to taking over the program in 2010, Sutherland spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the program, four as the team's top assistant.

Sutherland's 2011 Golden Eagles had three student-athletes earn All-Conference USA honors including first team selection and a first team all-region performer. The 2012 squad continued its academic excellence and earned its third consecutive team academic award from the AVCA and had a player earn Capital One Academic Second Team All-American accolades.

In 2010, Sutherland guided Southern Miss to a 19-12 record and a fourth-place finish in Conference USA. Sutherland is one of only two first-year head coaches in volleyball to record a winning season at Southern Miss. She placed two players on the all-conference first team.

Sutherland returns to her home state, where she was a standout setter at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis., where she was a four-time letterwinner. She completed her career with 4,554 assists, 1,503 digs and 128 aces. Sutherland was a three-time First-Team All-Midwest Conference selection and a two-time conference Player of the Year. She twice received honorable-mention all-region honors.

Sutherland helped St. Norbert finish first in the Midwest Conference in 2002 and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She was voted her team's most valuable player as a junior and senior. She also received academic all-conference honors as well.

Sutherland attended West Bend High School in West Bend, Wis., where she was a three-year letterwinner in volleyball. She was a first-team all-county selection, second-team all-conference and honorable-mention all-state. She received the Coaches' and Hustle Awards. She played in the Wisconsin All-Star match and helped her team to three conference titles.

The West Bend, Wis., native received her bachelor's degree in Spanish and secondary education in 2004 from St. Norbert and a master's degree in teaching languages, with a Spanish emphasis from Southern Mississippi in 2006.

In addition to serving as interim head coach for the 2013 season, Sutherland will teach classes in the Physical Education and Athletic Training (PEAT) department at UWSP.