ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– Navy volleyball head coach Paco Labrador announced today the hiring of Taylor van der Biezen as an assistant coach with the program.  She had served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Mids during the 2021 fall campaign.

"Taylor is an incredible full-time addition to our staff," said Labrador.  "She has the perfect blend of competitive fire and poised analysis.  She's really tuned into the team and provides great insights as a mentor to the Mids.  She knows how to win and is as knowledgeable of the recruiting trail as anyone.  We are thrilled to have Taylor join the Navy volleyball family."

"I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to be back home in the Mid-Atlantic Region to work at one of the prestigious service academies among our nation's next group of military leaders," said van der Biezen.  "I am also very excited to work with Paco Labrador to learn from a highly experienced and successful volleyball coach and one of my mentors for many years."

The native of Ashburn, Va., attended Briar Woods High School where she was a four-year starter on the volleyball team and a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society.  Van der Biezen went on to attend Marist where she totaled 2,758 career assists (fifth at Marist) and 111 aces (eighth at Marist), was a two-time team MVP and served as a captain of the Red Foxes as a senior.  A three-time academic all-conference honoree and a four-year member of the Dean's List, she graduated with honors in 2019 after she earned a degree in finance, minored in Spanish and attained a paralegal certificate.

She would serve as a graduate assistant coach with the Bryant women's team for the 2019 fall and 2021 spring seasons, while also being the head coach of the school's men's club team in the spring of 2020.  Van der Biezen also attained a Master of Business Administration degree while at Bryant.