July 23, 2010

Pocatello, ID -- The Idaho State volleyball program will have the opportunity to learn from one of its top players in Bengal history with the hire of Ali Gorny by Head Coach Chad Teichert. Gorny will serve as Teichert's second assistant coach under David Hyte. In addition to working directly with the athletes, she will be responsible for preparation and coordination of video, travel preparations and equipment management.

"I'm excited to be back and to be coaching. I have always wanted to come back to Idaho State and use my skills to help the program continue to improve," said Gorny. "I'm looking forward to helping the players see their potential and execute to their highest level."

Gorny is one of five players in Bengal history to achieve the elite Triple Crown which consists of 1,000-career points (1,526), kills (1,323) and digs (1,058). She competed for Idaho State from 2001-04, yet still holds the third best career kill record as well as the second most attacks with 3,604. She averaged 3.43 kills per set over her career, the fourth best mark in program history.

She ties for the fourth most kills in a season with 473 in 2003 and holds the second best mark in kills per game for a season with 4.59 in the same season. Gorny earned First Team All-Big Sky Honors in 2003 and Honorable Mention Honors in 2002 and 2004. During her time at ISU she earned four Big Sky Player of the Week Honors as an outside hitter. A true athlete, Gorny also competed for the Bengal women's basketball team during the 2005-06 season.

"I'd like to think the players can learn from someone who has been there and can still perform at a top level. She is a very athletic girl and if we need her to step in during practice now and then she can challenge our players," said Head Coach Teichert of Gorny.

In 2008 and 2009, Gorny served as a varsity girls head coach and varsity boys assistant coach at Palmdale High School. Gorny's duties at Palmdale included teaching fundamental volleyball skills, scheduling, equipment needs, fundraising and organizing transportation for tournaments. Along with her coaching duties she also organized and participated in the Antelope Valley Special Olympics weekend tournament.

Ali Gorny earned First Team All-Conference Honors in 2003 as well as two Honorable Mention Honors over her career.

For the past eight years she has served as the lead court coach for the Gold Medal Squared volleyball summer camp among the many she has helped at over her career. At Gold Medal, Gorny instructed middle school and high school aged girls in the GMS systems and methods while developing players with skills to compete at the collegiate level.

"She has done several camps and employs the same basic kind of system we use, plus she likes Idaho State and Pocatello which is always a good thing," said Teichert of Gorny's fit with the Bengals.

Her rival with opposing Big Sky schools is still strong and perhaps has grown more intense with the hiring of her brother Chris Gorny at Northern Arizona for the Lumberjacks volleyball program in July of 2010.

"The trash talking has already started," said Gorny of her interactions with her brother Chris about serving as assistant coaches at opposing schools. "It is all very playful though."

Gorny received her Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a Coaching emphasis in 2005 at Idaho State. She completed her Master's degree in Physical Education and Athletic Administration in 2006.