2023 Lobo Volleyball Staff Update
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— UNM head volleyball coach Jon Newman-Gonchar has announced staff changes to the program, both in personnel and titles.
“It is our mission to surround our program, and more importantly our student-athletes, with the highest quality people we can,” stated Newman-Gonchar. “I am thrilled about our staff and the direction we are going.”
April Sanchez has been promoted to associate head coach after serving the last four seasons as an assistant coach. Sanchez has also served as the recruiting coordinator since last season. With the Lobos, Sanchez serves as UNM’s defensive coordinator, overseeing defensive efforts, as well as works with the libero and defensive specialists.
“April has been a key contributor to the rise of Lobo Volleyball, and every piece of this program has been impacted positively by her incredible work ethic and insights,” commented the fifth-year head coach. “I am thrilled to be able to name her my associate head coach.”
Joining the program are Matt Kuelpman and Collin Tate, who will serve as an assistant coach and director of volleyball operations, respectively.
Kuelpman comes to UNM from Weber State where he was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the past four seasons. During his time with the Wildcats, his responsibilities included coaching the backrow defense and coordinating the offense during matches, coaching the team’s blocking, serving, and defensive strategies, and oversaw the team’s travel and camps. While he was with Weber State, the Wildcats improved in digs per set, kills per set and won the Big Sky Championship for the second time in program history. In 2019, Weber State competed in the NIVC tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals after beating MW opponents Boise State and Wyoming.
“Matt brings a rich background in the technical and tactical aspects of high level volleyball,” notes Newman-Gonchar. “He comes from a great line of coaches who know what it takes to win on and off the court. We are fired up to have his skill set on staff and can’t wait for him to begin.”
Weber State had its best season in school history in 2020, going 15-1 and won the first-ever Big Sky regular season title in program history and later won the first conference tournament championship since 1988. The Wildcats repeated as conference champions in 2021, and from 2019 through 2021, the Wildcats won 25-straight matches at home for the longest home winning streak in the nation.
Tate joins the Lobos from Texas A&M, where he worked as a student manager with the volleyball program. During his time in College Station, Tate oversaw a team of four managers and assisted with the day-to-day operations of the program that included managing the set up of practices and matches. In addition, he assisted with camp registration and logistical support, working with the technical coordinator with scouting and preparing for opponents.
On Tate, Newman-Gonchar commented, “Collin is a fantastic fit for our program. He is a gifted problem solver, and someone that truly wants to be great in all he does. We are already seeing the impacts of his work in all areas of our program. He is a perfect fit for UNM Volleyball.”
The Lobos will have four spring contests starting on March 24 against NAU at Gallup, which includes an April 1 home tournament at Johnson Center, a home match against West Texas on April 21st and an April 29 match against Air Force at Trinidad State.