Siena Volleyball added 19-year veteran of the Capital Region Volleyball Community by naming former Saint Rose head coach Vanessa Volpe-Rivera as its assistant volleyball coach in August of 2024.
“Vanessa is a well-known coach in the Capital Region having proven her success and experience as the Head Volleyball Coach at Saint Rose College,” said head coach Simone Asque-Favia.
“I am ecstatic to bring her knowledge and perspective to the Siena Volleyball program. In the short time we've been working together, she is already making a fantastic impact. I cannot wait for the team and our recruits to get to know her!”
Volpe-Rivera is currently the Vice President and serves on the Executive Board of the Excelsior Empire Volleyball Association (USAV Region) and was previously on the Board of Directors for numerous years.
Within the Excelsior Empire Volleyball Association, the Green Island resident has coached the 19U All-Star Championship Team and is also an active participant of the Tournament Committee. A certified USAV official and scorekeeper, Volpe-Rivera also is an active adult player in the region.
Previously, she spent nine seasons at the helm of the Saint Rose volleyball program from 2016 until 2024, competing in NCAA Division II’s Northeast 10 Conference. Notably, the Saint Rose Volleyball program routinely finished with AVCA Team Academic Award and she also had six student-athletes earn NE-10 First, Second or Third All-Conference honors.
Prior to that, Volpe-Rivera was an assistant for three seasons with the team and also had coaching stints with Hudson Valley Community College and Voorheesville High School. As a club volleyball coach, she was with the Lakeside Volleyball and the North Country Albany Juniors Club.
A graduate of Saint Rose, Volpe-Rivera received her Bachelor of Science in 2005 in Childhood Education and her Master of Science in 2007 in Literacy from the school.
Vanessa resides in Green Island with her husband and two daughters, Isabella and Rylee.
