The Denton Record-Chronicle reported that head coach Shelly Barberee submitted her resignation late Friday. She also released a written statement in which she said her decision was "is in no way related to student-athletes' hospitalization."
The program has been under scrutiny recently after eight volleyball players were admitted last weekend for rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle tissue that releases potentially damaging proteins into the bloodstream.
"Although the investigation remains underway, Texas Woman's University's initial belief is that overexertion coupled with dehydration during practices last week caused these student-athletes to experience rhabdomyolysis," said Monica Mendez-Grant, vice president for student life, in a statement published on the school's website.
The university said it expects to issue a full report on the investigation within 90 days.
According to the Record-Chronicle, seven of the eight players have been discharged but are not yet able to play.
Barberee, who also lectured in the school's kinesiology department, had coached the women's volleyball squad for 13 years and was the program's winningest coach ever. Last year, according to the school's website, she managed the Pioneers to the NCAA tournament for her first time, the third time in school history that the team has done so.
In her statement, Barberee said that she has been disassociated with the team since Aug. 12, when she took leave to focus on personal matters and that she was "shocked and worried" to learn players had been hospitalized.
"Today, I have decided to resign from my position as head volleyball coach at TWU, which is in no way related to student-athletes' hospitalization," she said. "I am working diligently to address matters in my personal life and need to place my focus there."
Assistant coach Jessica Beener, who played for the squad from 2006 to 2010, was named head coach by athletic director Chalese Connors.
The Pioneers open the 2016 season next weekend, hosting the Hilton Garden Inn Classic at the university's Kitty Magee Arena.
The program has been under scrutiny recently after eight volleyball players were admitted last weekend for rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle tissue that releases potentially damaging proteins into the bloodstream.
"Although the investigation remains underway, Texas Woman's University's initial belief is that overexertion coupled with dehydration during practices last week caused these student-athletes to experience rhabdomyolysis," said Monica Mendez-Grant, vice president for student life, in a statement published on the school's website.The university said it expects to issue a full report on the investigation within 90 days.
According to the Record-Chronicle, seven of the eight players have been discharged but are not yet able to play.
Barberee, who also lectured in the school's kinesiology department, had coached the women's volleyball squad for 13 years and was the program's winningest coach ever. Last year, according to the school's website, she managed the Pioneers to the NCAA tournament for her first time, the third time in school history that the team has done so.
In her statement, Barberee said that she has been disassociated with the team since Aug. 12, when she took leave to focus on personal matters and that she was "shocked and worried" to learn players had been hospitalized.
"Today, I have decided to resign from my position as head volleyball coach at TWU, which is in no way related to student-athletes' hospitalization," she said. "I am working diligently to address matters in my personal life and need to place my focus there."
Assistant coach Jessica Beener, who played for the squad from 2006 to 2010, was named head coach by athletic director Chalese Connors.
The Pioneers open the 2016 season next weekend, hosting the Hilton Garden Inn Classic at the university's Kitty Magee Arena.
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