SAN DIEGO—San Diego women's volleyball head coach, Jennifer Petrie, announced the hiring of Alfred Reft to her staff as associate head coach. Reft replaces long-time associate head coach Brent Hilliard who took a head coaching position with San Diego State.
 
"I am excited to announce Alfred Reft as the associate head volleyball coach at USD," said Petrie. "Alfee's coaching and elite playing experience will provide the program the opportunity for growth in new areas while sparking collaboration for our staff as a whole.  We are anxious to start training together, developing team strategies and continuing to strive for the same excellence that our program is built upon."
 
Reft comes to USD after spending two seasons as an assistant coach for Chris Tamas at Illinois. While with the Fighting Illini, Reft had a major impact on the team's floor defense and passing. During his tenure, Illinois made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the program's fourth-ever National Semifinal appearance in 2018.

Reft also brings a wealth of national team experience to the USD gym, as both a player and coach. He served as a volunteer for the USA Women's and Men's National Teams from 2016-18 and was a member of the USA Men's National Team from 2006-10 and 2012-15.

"I'd like to express my deep thanks to the University of San Diego, the athletic administration and head coach Jennifer Petrie for this opportunity to be a part of such a storied program," said Reft. "I look forward to continuing to build upon the years of excellence that Jen and her staff have created and am excited for the strong vision the program upholds for the future."

Prior to Illinois, Reft spent two years in the USA National Team gym where he assisted in daily practices. During that time, he also worked as assistant director and head coach of Team Rockstar Volleyball Club (2014-18).

Reft was the founder of Peak Volleyball Academy, where he developed and created a company that focused on training and development of multi-level and skill volleyball athletes from 2015 to 2018.
Reft got his collegiate coaching start at Minnesota from 2010 to 2012, where he helped lead the Gophers to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010.

Prior to joining the Gophers, Reft served as a coach for the TCA Volleyball Club from 2006 to 2008, before moving to the Laguna Beach Volleyball Club from 2008 to 2010.

As a member of the USA Men's National Team, Reft was on the roster for the FIVB World Championship and the FIVB World League in 2010. He was also part of the Silver Medal team at the NORCECA Continental Championships in 2009 and also part the FIVB World League roster that year. 

In 2008, Reft was an alternate for the US Men's Olympic Team that won the Gold Medal in Beijing. He was also the designated libero for the U.S. National Team when they won the Gold Medal at the Pan-American Cup in 2008 and played in every match at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand where the USA National Team claimed a Bronze Medal. 

As a professional, Reft competed for seven years with clubs in Budva, Montenegro (2007-08), Lisbon, Portugal (2008-10) and Montpellier, France (2012-13). In 2008, Reft helped his club win the European Cup Bronze Medal.

A standout libero for Hawai'i from 2004 to 2006, Reft was named an AVCA First-Team All-American as well as Asics/Volleyball Magazine Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 after totaling 272 digs and set a new Hawai'i single-season record with 2.67 digs per set. He also earned AVCA Second-Team All-America honors in 2006 following his senior season.

Reft transferred to Hawai'i in 2004 from UC Santa Barbara and became the starting libero for the Warriors. That year, he set the school-record for digs in the rally-scoring era for Hawai'i with 238. 

A native of Oxnard, Calif., Reft graduated the University of Hawai'i with a bachelor's degree in English in 2006 and is married to Matthew Ryan Pest.