Surabordin Prachumsri named UC Merced women’s volleyball coach

Surabordin Prachumsri knew the major knock against him.

The 25-year-old had never been in charge of a collegiate program. Still, the guy they call “Coach Ai” had an intimate knowledge of the UC Merced campus, both from a student-athlete and coaching perspective, that the rest of the candidates couldn’t match.

In the end, the UC Merced hiring committee decided that was enough to hand Prachumsri the reigns of the women’s volleyball program. He becomes the second women’s volleyball coach in UCM history, replacing Allen McCreary, who went 42-72 in five years at the helm. Prachumsri also becomes the first Bobcat alumnus to come back and coach in the school’s brief history.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity,” Prachumsri said. “I’m also a little nervous. Allen has left the program in a really good place, and I just want to keep that winning tradition going.

“My official hire date was (Monday), so I’m just trying to get everything settled. I’m confident in the volleyball part, but there’s also a lot of things I’m now in charge of that I never was as an assistant coach, so I’m trying to get everything organized. We open practice on August 7 and then have our first game 10 days after that, so there’s a lot of work to do.”

The good news is Prachumsri is familiar with the team he’s inheriting. Prachumsri was an assistant coach for McCreary last year, helping the team turn in a program-best 14-10 campaign. He’s also assisted with the men’s team the last two years. Prachumsri ran the open gym sessions for the team this summer during the coaching search.

Prachumsri also has the unique perspective of having been a student-athlete at UC Merced. He was a member of the men’s volleyball club team for three years and then participated in the program’s inaugural intercollegiate campaign as a libero in 2013.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Ai grow and develop as a college student, volleyball player and assistant coach,” associate director of recreation and athletics and men’s volleyball coach David Noble said. “And, while he possesses many of the traits and qualities that personify successful head coaches, it’s his sense of humility and compassion that stands out to me.

“Individuals that know Ai will say they are better people for having known him, including me.”

Prachumsri inherits a nice foundation on which to build. UCM returns four of its top five kill leaders, top two block leaders and two of its top three defensive players. Included in the group is reigning California Pacific Conference Player of the Year, junior outside hitter Rachael Schaefer.

“Having the league MVP for two more years is definitely a good place to start,” Prachumsri said. “We have a lot of young, talented players back, especially in the middle. Allen did a great job putting together this incoming freshman class, so we should be a very deep team.

“I’m excited for the challenge, and hopefully, I can keep the winning tradition going.”

This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Surabordin Prachumsri named UC Merced women’s volleyball coach."