SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal State San Marcos head women's volleyball coach Andrea Leonard announced the hiring of Jay Van Vark as assistant coach on Monday. Van Vark spent last season as a volunteer assistant coach for the San Diego State women's volleyball team.

"I am excited to join CSUSM and the winning tradition coach Leonard has already built," said Van Vark. "The accomplishments of the team's first two seasons are truly remarkable and I look forward to helping the program move in a positive direction."

Van Vark will assist with all aspects of the program including recruiting, opponent scouting, practice planning, match preparation and student-athlete development.

"I am excited to have Jay join my staff," said Leonard. "He brings a diverse background and a passion for teaching. Most recently, his time spent with San Diego State and the college game is the kind of valuable experience I am looking for to fulfill my vision and direction of our growing program."

In 2012, Van Vark helped guide the Aztecs to their first-ever Mountain West Conference championship and their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2001. Two players were named AVCA All-Americans and four earned All-Mountain West Conference postseason recognition.

He spent the summer as an assistant coach for the USA Senior A2 women's program. During the 10-day training period, 48 of the top collegiate women's volleyball players were divided into four equal teams that competed against each other during the Junior Olympics event in Dallas. The A2 program is commonly known as a pathway to the national team.

He began his coaching career as head coach for the Iowa State men's club team for two seasons, as well as an assistant coach for the women's team. After moving to San Diego, he headed the Rancho Bernardo High School boys' and girls' volleyball programs, a position he held for 10 seasons. He led the Bronco girls to their only CIF volleyball title in 1994.

Van Vark took a break from competitive volleyball to establish a career in the software business and raise a family. He returned to the sideline as his daughter took up the sport, coaching Epic Volleyball Club from 2006-11 and resuming his role as head coach at RBHS from 2009-11.

Van Vark played three years for the ISU men's club team and won club national MVP in 1985. During his last years in college, he played semi-pro indoor with the ACCO Sportswear team for two seasons, followed by three seasons of outdoor for East Beach as an AAA-rated beach and grass player. He has also played in five indoor USVBA Open National Championships. In the late 80s, he was a college referee and at one point was the youngest head official for the Big 8, which is now the Big 12.

In addition to coaching, Van Vark is the co-founder of a successful software firm called Kick Your Apps that develops iPad and iPhone applications. He is also the author of one of the most successful volleyball statistics packages, iVolleyStats.

Van Vark has been married to his wife, Linda, for 22 years and they have a daughter, Audrey (19) and son, Jared (16).