Maryland Volleyball Welcomes Former Setter Zoe Huang Back as Assistant Coach
By Brian Hradsky
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The University of Maryland volleyball program is bringing back a familiar face as former Terrapins setter Zoe Huang has officially joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach. Head coach Adam Hughes announced the addition Wednesday, October 14, welcoming back a former student-athlete who made significant contributions to the program both on and off the court. Huang returns to College Park after completing her undergraduate and graduate education at Maryland, bringing playing experience, leadership credentials and a strong understanding of the program’s culture.
The hiring represents a homecoming for Huang, who developed into a respected member of the Terrapins during her collegiate career. Her familiarity with Maryland’s coaching staff, academic expectations and competitive environment should help her transition into her new position. Hughes believes Huang’s leadership and experience will make her a valuable mentor for the next generation of Maryland volleyball players.
Hughes Excited to Welcome Former Terrapin Back
Hughes expressed his enthusiasm about Huang’s return, emphasizing her leadership qualities and the impact she made during her time with the program. The Maryland head coach also noted the historical significance of bringing a former player back to the coaching staff. According to Hughes, Huang could be the program’s first alumna to return as an assistant coach in approximately three decades.
In Maryland’s official announcement, Hughes said:
“I am thrilled to welcome Zoe. I think she is our first alumna to return as an assistant coach in 30 years. She is from this area and means a lot to our program.”
Hughes also praised Huang’s academic accomplishments, competitive attitude and involvement in student-athlete leadership. During her playing career, Huang served as president of Maryland’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, demonstrating a commitment to representing fellow student-athletes beyond volleyball. Those experiences should provide a valuable foundation as she begins working with the current roster.
Huang Built an Impressive Academic and Athletic Resume
Huang played setter for Maryland and earned recognition for her accomplishments in the classroom throughout her collegiate career. She received Academic All-Big Ten honors three consecutive times in 2022, 2023 and 2024, highlighting her ability to balance the demands of Division I athletics with her education. She also received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2023, another reflection of the respect she earned during her playing career.
Huang’s development on the court included several notable performances, particularly during her senior season in 2024. She recorded a career-high 36 assists against UCLA, demonstrating her ability to direct Maryland’s offense against high-level Big Ten competition. Her experience as a setter should be particularly beneficial when working with Maryland’s offensive players and helping develop communication and decision-making skills.
Away from volleyball, Huang earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2025 before completing a master’s degree in management from Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business in 2026. Her academic background adds another dimension to her coaching profile, particularly when mentoring student-athletes preparing for careers beyond college sports. Huang’s combination of athletic and academic accomplishments makes her a strong example of the expectations Maryland places on its student-athletes.
Coaching Experience Provides Foundation for New Role
Although Huang is beginning a new chapter as a collegiate assistant coach, she already has experience working with younger volleyball players. During her time at Maryland, she assisted with the university’s volleyball camps, gaining experience teaching fundamentals and helping athletes improve their skills. She also coached club volleyball with Metro Volleyball Club, providing additional opportunities to develop her instructional abilities.
That experience should help Huang adjust to the responsibilities of working with a Big Ten coaching staff. Coaching at the collegiate level requires more than understanding the sport, as assistants must help develop players, communicate effectively and contribute to the daily operation of the program. Huang’s previous involvement with Maryland gives her familiarity with the standards Hughes expects from his athletes.
The addition also provides Maryland with another coach who understands the challenges of competing in the Big Ten. Huang experienced those demands firsthand as a student-athlete and can share that perspective with players navigating the conference’s demanding schedule. Her recent playing experience could make her especially relatable to the current roster.
Maryland Continues Building Its Volleyball Program
Huang joins a Maryland coaching staff led by Hughes and featuring assistant coaches Fran Bolletino and Michael Ma, along with technical coordinator Justin Speirs. Her arrival comes during the 2026 season as Maryland continues competing against some of the nation’s strongest volleyball programs. The Terrapins have shown competitive improvement in several matches, including a five-set victory over Northwestern on October 10.
Maryland also pushed UCLA to five sets on October 9 before falling 3-2, demonstrating its ability to challenge established conference opponents. Freshman Brooklynne Brass has emerged as an important contributor, recording 19 kills and 18 digs in the victory over Northwestern. The development of young players such as Brass will remain important as Maryland attempts to establish greater consistency in conference competition.
Huang’s return gives the program an additional connection between its recent past and future development. Her experience as a Maryland player, combined with her academic achievements and coaching background, provides the Terrapins with another resource for developing student-athletes. The move also reinforces the program’s commitment to maintaining relationships with former players after their collegiate careers conclude.
MSB Take
Bringing Zoe Huang back to Maryland is a positive move for a volleyball program looking to continue its development in one of the toughest conferences in college athletics. Former players often bring a different perspective to coaching because they understand the expectations, challenges and culture of the program from firsthand experience. Huang’s background as a setter and student-athlete leader should make her particularly valuable when working with younger players who are still adjusting to Big Ten competition.
What stands out about this hiring is Huang’s combination of academic success, leadership experience and familiarity with Maryland volleyball. She is not simply returning because she once played for the Terrapins; she has already gained coaching experience and demonstrated the qualities necessary to mentor student-athletes. If she can translate those experiences into effective player development, this could become a valuable addition to Hughes’ staff for years to come.
