Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Bible Announces Her Retirement from Coaching
6/3/2022 10:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball, Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — One of the most successful setters in Saint Mary's history, and longtime assistant coach, Mandy Bible, has announced her resignation as assistant coach at Saint Mary's as she retires from coaching. She leaves Saint Mary's after four seasons on the court, and seven seasons as an assistant coach for both the indoor and beach volleyball programs.
"It was not an easy decision to step away from coaching, but I know that Saint Mary's will always be home and the volleyball program will always be family," Bible said. "As a student athlete, administrator and coach I have been supported and guided through the highs and lows of life. I have learned many lessons from my peers, mentors and student athletes and I have nothing but gratitude for the entire Gael community."
"I especially want to thank Rob [Browning] for giving me this opportunity seven years ago and always understanding and supporting my role as both a mother and coach. I look forward to cheering on the team from the stands. Gaels Woo forever!"
It's no secret that Bible is one of the most accomplished and decorated student-athletes the Saint Mary's Volleyball program has ever seen. She holds Saint Mary's all-time records in assists (5,362), assists per set (12.47), service aces (128), and service attempts (1,980). To put up those kinds of numbers, she was on the floor nonstop, which also led her ranking second all-time in block assists with 400 and ninth in digs with 939.
Not only did Bible enjoy personal success on the court while at Saint Mary's, she was part of some of the best teams in Gaels history. Notably, the Gaels went to three-consecutive NCAA Tournaments (2003-05), with the 2004 squad achieving particular greatness. That team reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, still the only Gaels volleyball team to reach that point of the tournament.
"I've known this day was coming for a while, but it doesn't make it any easier. Mandy has been much more than an assistant to me, she is a dear, dear friend," noted head coach Rob Browning. "Her departure is a big loss for our team and for our student-athletes, but Mandy will always be a most-valued member of the SMCVB family."
After all of the success on the court, Bible was inducted into the Saint Mary's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, the same year she was inducted into the West Coast Conference Hall of Honor. Bible is the fourth SMC Volleyball great to be honored in the Saint Mary's Athletics Hall of Fame, with Yvonne Millette, Lisa Ward, and Ana Robles as the others.
Bible returned to Saint Mary's in 2015 to join the coaching staff under coach Rob Browning, a special coming-home moment for Bible, who played the 2005 and 2006 seasons for coach Browning. Since Bible joined the coaching staff, the Gaels have had a total of 42 All-Academic honors (with the 2022 announcements yet to be made), 44 All-WCC awards (including 30 on the beach side), and 183 wins.
"It would not be a stretch to regard her as the centerpiece of the SMCVB family," Browning continued. "She was an outstanding student-athlete before I ever appeared on the scene, and her positive influence will be felt for generations to come. She is a remarkable woman, coach, athlete, friend, wife and mom. Our student-athletes have a wonderful role model in Mandy. I already miss her."
"It was not an easy decision to step away from coaching, but I know that Saint Mary's will always be home and the volleyball program will always be family," Bible said. "As a student athlete, administrator and coach I have been supported and guided through the highs and lows of life. I have learned many lessons from my peers, mentors and student athletes and I have nothing but gratitude for the entire Gael community."
"I especially want to thank Rob [Browning] for giving me this opportunity seven years ago and always understanding and supporting my role as both a mother and coach. I look forward to cheering on the team from the stands. Gaels Woo forever!"
It's no secret that Bible is one of the most accomplished and decorated student-athletes the Saint Mary's Volleyball program has ever seen. She holds Saint Mary's all-time records in assists (5,362), assists per set (12.47), service aces (128), and service attempts (1,980). To put up those kinds of numbers, she was on the floor nonstop, which also led her ranking second all-time in block assists with 400 and ninth in digs with 939.
Not only did Bible enjoy personal success on the court while at Saint Mary's, she was part of some of the best teams in Gaels history. Notably, the Gaels went to three-consecutive NCAA Tournaments (2003-05), with the 2004 squad achieving particular greatness. That team reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, still the only Gaels volleyball team to reach that point of the tournament.
"I've known this day was coming for a while, but it doesn't make it any easier. Mandy has been much more than an assistant to me, she is a dear, dear friend," noted head coach Rob Browning. "Her departure is a big loss for our team and for our student-athletes, but Mandy will always be a most-valued member of the SMCVB family."
After all of the success on the court, Bible was inducted into the Saint Mary's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, the same year she was inducted into the West Coast Conference Hall of Honor. Bible is the fourth SMC Volleyball great to be honored in the Saint Mary's Athletics Hall of Fame, with Yvonne Millette, Lisa Ward, and Ana Robles as the others.
Bible returned to Saint Mary's in 2015 to join the coaching staff under coach Rob Browning, a special coming-home moment for Bible, who played the 2005 and 2006 seasons for coach Browning. Since Bible joined the coaching staff, the Gaels have had a total of 42 All-Academic honors (with the 2022 announcements yet to be made), 44 All-WCC awards (including 30 on the beach side), and 183 wins.
"It would not be a stretch to regard her as the centerpiece of the SMCVB family," Browning continued. "She was an outstanding student-athlete before I ever appeared on the scene, and her positive influence will be felt for generations to come. She is a remarkable woman, coach, athlete, friend, wife and mom. Our student-athletes have a wonderful role model in Mandy. I already miss her."
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