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Coaches Head Coach - Ryan Platt: 483-2035
Ryan Platt Previously, Coach Platt had been on staff at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., the Head Coach for three seasons at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Ore., and an assistant coach at his alma mater, Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. At LCSC he helped lead the Warriors to a combined record of 48-11, two Frontier Conference championships, and two Regional tournament berths. His breadth of experience in all three divisions of the NCAA and in the NAIA will undoubtedly benefit Blue Hawk volleyball as he is an experienced on-court leader and a proven recruiter who can draw from local, regional or international pools. Platt will set the same tone for Hawk volleyball that he pursued as an undergraduate at LCSC. He was team Captain two years, and he was twice on the Dean’s List and three times LCSC earned all-academic team recognition. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and specialized in both Coaching Administration and Sports Psychology. Coach Platt is a sound tactician and his “athletes first, winning second” approach to volleyball fits well with his personality since he cares about the individual as much as he cares about them as an athlete. “I am very excited and happy to be joining the Blue Hawk Athletic family. On my visit I was extremely impressed by all aspects of the city of Dickinson and Dickinson State University’s athletic and academic departments. Mr. Ternes put together a very thorough and professional interview process and made me feel confident and excited about the position of Head Volleyball Coach at Dickinson State University.” Emily Sakis Before transferring to the University of Montana, Sakis attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO playing for Plainswomen head coach Marci Henry and earning Second Team All-American and All-Region Honors for the 2004 season. Originally from Palmer, Alaska, Sakis attended Palmer High School where she played volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Emily is the daughter of Don and Beverly Sakis who both reside in Palmer, Alaska. Elizabeth Castillo
Nancy Nyongesa
Elizabeth Rodriguez Elizabeth Rodriguez is entering her first year as assistant coach for the Blue Hawks Volleyball Team and is originally from Cali, Columbia. Elizabeth was the DAC MVP in 2006 along with 2006 1st Team All-American, 2006 1st Team All-Region, and 2006 1st Team All-DAC. She hails from Cali, Columbia. Rodriguez is planning a nursing major at Dickinson State. Elizabeth is the daughter of Candida Olivia Rodriguez.
KateLynn Stiefel KateLynn Steifel is entering her first year as Assistant Coach for the Blue Hawks Volleyball Team and is from Beulah, ND. KateLynn completed her fine collegiate career in 2007. She had a one year stint at NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette and in 2006 was named DAC Setter of the Year. In high school she was named Gatorade Player of the Year in North Dakota. Steifel is a psychology major. Her hometown is Beulah, ND. KateLynn is the daughter of Keith and Kathy Stiefel.
La'Sean Pickstock La’Sean Pickstock is entering his first year as Assistant Coach for the Blue Hawks Volleyball Team and originally from Nassau, Bahamas. La'Sean was a star softball and volleyball player at CR Walker High School. At DSU, he ran on the school record-setting 4 x 400M relay team (3:09.18). He is earning his degree in physical education with a minor in graphic design. Pickstock is originally from Nassau, Bahamas. La’Sean is the son of Frederick Pickstock and Ednamae Rolle.
Coaches 2007-2008 | Coaches 2003-2004 | Coaches 2002-2003 | Coaches 2001-2002 | Coaches 2000-2001 |
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Ryan Platt begins his tenure as the new Head Coach of volleyball at Dickinson State University. Coach Platt spent his last two seasons as the 1st Assistant Coach at the University of Montana in Missoula, Mont., and he comes to Dickinson State University with 16 years of successful coaching experience--eight at the collegiate level.
Emily Sakis is entering her first year as the 1st Assistant Coach for the Blue Hawks Volleyball Team. Sakis played middle blocker/ right side hitter for Ryan Platt at the University of Montana where she graduated with a degree in Sociology with a focus in Criminology, and a minor in Psychology. As team captain she helped lead the Griz to two huge accomplishments; first winning season in 6 years and making the Big Sky Conference Tournament for the first time in six years. Sakis was in the top ten in the conference in kills per game 3.17, hitting percentage .365, and blocks per game 1.4. She was the Head Coach for the Missoula Juniors 16-1 Team and Assistant Coach for Coach Platt’s 18-1 Missoula Juniors Team. Her main focus this season will be in training the middle blockers, right side hitters, travel coordinator, co-recruiting coordinator, and team building/bonding. After graduation Sakis spent a year in Changsha, China, teaching Oral English and business to Chinese students.
Elizabeth Castillo is entering her first year as Assistant Coach for the Blue Hawks Volleyball Team and is originally from Lima, Peru. Castillo, who transferred from Miami-Dade Community College, came to DSU last fall after helping her MDC team win the 2004 NJCAA National Championship. “Licha”, as she is affectionately called, was a first team All-American, Her transition to DSU’s program proved to be seamless; she was a second team NAIA All-American, and was named to the first units of both the All-Region and All-DAC teams. Castillo is a physical education major. Elizabeth is the daughter of Roberto and Angelina Castillo.
Nancy Nyongesa is entering her first year as Assistant Coach for the Blue Hawks Volleyball Team and originally from Bungoma, Kenya. The list of awards for Nancy Nyongesa is extensive, including 2006 DAC Scholar, 2006 Honorable Mention, NAIA All-American, 2006 1st Team All-Region, 2006 1st Team All-DAC, 2005 2nd Team NAIA All-American, 2005 1st Team All-Region, 2005 DAC Player of the Year, 2004 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, 2004 1st Team All-Region, 2004 1st Team All-DAC-10, 2004 DAC-10 Freshman of the Year. Prior to her arrival at DSU, Nyongesa was a left-side player for the Kenyan National team where she represented her country at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. She is earning a degree in nursing and maintains a 3.2 GPA. Nancy is the daughter of Benson and Ann Amina Nyongesa.
