Press Release Contact:
Jeff Johnson Athletic Director Papillion-La Vista South High School Phone (402) 829-4600
Papillion-La Vista South High School Announces New Volleyball Coach After an in depth search of numerous qualified applicants, Papillion-La Vista South High School is excited to announce that Elena Pietro will be the new head volleyball coach. Elena will be joining the coaching team of Anna Vallinch and Allyson Hazelwood, both returning assistant coaches. Pietro comes to PLSHS after a standout career at Louisiana State University (LSU), and professional volleyball experience playing for the Llaneras in Puerto Rico. She also has numerous coaching experiences including most recently as the assistant volleyball coach for Bellevue University. “We are so pleased to have someone of Elena’s caliber join the Papillion-La Vista South volleyball team. She will be able to grow on our current traditions while adding her personal experiences. She is a great fit for our school, our girls and our entire volleyball program,” said Jeff Johnson, Athletic Director. Currently, Pietro is an assistant coach at Bellevue University and an assistant coach for Premier Volleyball. Prior to coaching, Pietro was a member of the 2010 Llaneras Professional Volleyball Team in Puerto Rico that placed second in the Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino. Pietro was one of only sixteen female college players to be invited to the AVP "Go Pro or Go Home" combine in 2009, training with renowned players such as Karch Kiraly and Kerri Walsh. Pietro spent her college career as a defensive player for the LSU Volleyball team, where she was an outstanding player and earned many awards. During her time at LSU, Pietro broke the LSU and SEC record for digs in a season with 703 and digs per game in a season with 5.33, leading the SEC and ranked 35th in the NCAA in digs per game. Pietro lettered 4 years at LSU as a libero between 2005-2008. While there, she was named an AVCA All- America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-South Region, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the Louisiana Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008. She was also a member of the All-SEC Second Team and the All-Louisiana First Team in 2007 and 2008. Pietro was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and LSU Scholar Athlete in 2008 and 2009. She was also a member of the LSU Athletic Director's Cup for Academic Excellence from 2006-2009. Johnson said, “With Elena’s leadership we are very excited about the future for PapillionLa Vista South volleyball.”