ITHACA, N.Y. – Melissa Batie-Smoose, the Wendy Schaenen '79 Head Coach of Volleyball, has announced that former Iowa State standout Caitlin Mahoney has been named an assistant coach for the upcoming season. On the court, Mahoney will train the Big Red's defensive specialists in addition to working on team passing and team defensive schemes. Additionally, she will handle team travel, game tape exchange, video editing, game day operations and assist with recruiting. 

“Caitlin great addition to our staff,” said Batie-Smoose. “She has played at the highest level and knows what it takes to win. She is very passionate and competitive and her energy in the gym everyday can only inspire our student-athletes.”

A two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, Mahoney played for the Cyclones from 2008-11, helping the team to three NCAA tournament appearances, including a berth to the Sweet Sixteen and a pair of trips to the Elite Eight. She left Iowa State as the 12th-most active player in program history, seeing action in 413 sets and 120 matches, serving as the team's defensive specialist/Libero.

Mahoney graduated from ISU in 2012 with a degree in marketing before embarking on a professional volleyball career both in the United States and overseas. She played in Innsbruck, Austria for the club VC Tirol, serving as team captain.  Mahoney also has played for the past two seasons with Team Iowa Ice, which is coached by Cornell assistant coach Trudy Vande Berg. Team Iowa Ice won the Premier Volleyball League title this past season, after a runner-up finish in 2012.

A native of Omaha, Neb., Mahoney attended Marian High School, where she earned all-metro and all-state first-team honors. She graduated as the Nebraska state record holder for service aces in a match, in a season, and in a career.