WASHINGTON – Georgetown University's volleyball team has added Susan Kim and John La Rusch to the staff for the 2021 season, as announced by Head Coach David Heller on Wednesday. The duo brings extensive coaching experience to the Hilltop as the Hoyas return to action for the first time since 2019.
 
"I am so thrilled that we were able to get both Susan and John on staff," Heller said. "They both bring national tournament experience and a great wealth of knowledge to the table. Susan has come from successful programs, has won a conference tournament and is ready to work with our offense and setters. John brings in Big Ten experience and looks to help us improve our blocking and attacking efficiency. Their energy will be a great addition to McDonough this fall. Georgetown Volleyball is lucky to have them."
 
Susan Kim

• Kim comes to the Hilltop with over 16 years of coaching experience, including the past nine at the collegiate level.
• Prior to her time on the Hilltop, she was the associate head coach at Rider University, helping guide the Broncs to a 2020 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
• At Rider, she was instrumental in the development of the 2020 MAAC Player and Setter of the Year and the 2019 MAAC Rookie of the Year as five players earned all-conference honors in her two seasons there.
• Kim previously coached in Philadelphia as an assistant at Holy Family and La Salle from 2012-19, including a stint as interim head coach with the Explorers during the 2013 spring non-championship season.
• Under her tutelage with the Tigers, Holy Family earned a 2018 NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen Appearance and produced an AVCA All-American, AVCA East Region Player of the Year, CCA East Region Player of the Year, conference player of the year, rookie of the year, setter of the year and four all-conference players in 2018 along with a trio of all-tournament team and three all-region tournament team players.

 
John La Rusch

• La Rusch comes to the Nation's Capital after a stint as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska.
• In addition to his time with the Huskers, La Rusch served as a head coach with Nebraska Juniors Volleyball Club and Volleyball Club Nebraska.
• He previously also served as a volunteer assistant for the men's team at Golden West Community College, a men's and women's assistant coach at Fountain Valley High School and a men's assistant with Balboa Bay Volleyball Club.
• A standout in his own right on the court, La Rusch played collegiately at Long Beach State from 2012-16.
• He had a breakout season in 2015 as a redshirt junior, averaging 3.09 kills per set and earning AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honors. In 2016, he helped LBSU to a semifinal appearance in the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships behind a 26-7 overall record for the 49ers.

 
Georgetown opens the 2021 season at home on Friday, August 27 against local District rival American at 6 p.m.