WINTER HAVEN – The Polk State Volleyball coaching staff doubled in size this month as Hunter Parrish began his tenure as an assistant coach.

Parrish, 27, arrives with seven years of coaching experience, including five at the club and high school levels. This will be his first coaching job at the college ranks.

"After talking with (Head Coach Jessica Beal), we shared really similar mindsets – from the court to the business side," Parrish shared. "I can learn a lot from her and progress. We're going to work well together."

While new to the college coaching ranks, Parrish is not unfamiliar with Polk State. He spent the last year at Top Select Volleyball Academy in Maitland, which is owned by former Polk State Head Coach German Del Valle, the program's all-time wins leader. Former Polk State coach Dayanna Barbosa is also a member of the Top Select staff.

"My mentors coached here at Polk," Parrish explained. "I want to understand recruiting better. I want to learn to gain experience in the different facets of college volleyball."

Prior to Top Select, Parrish spent four years at Winter Park Volleyball Club. In 2023, Parrish served as the head coach for the Seminole High School boys volleyball program. He spent the next two seasons as the head girls volleyball coach at Lyman High School in Longwood. Parrish also coached the girls weightlifting team at Lyman in 2023. He is currently on staff at 407 Volleyball Club in Ocoee.

"He has an advanced level of organizational skills," Beal said. "He's highly professional and confident. He has a high level of enthusiasm for the sport and matches my energy in coaching."

In addition to club and high school coaching, Parrish has provided lessons as a volleyball skills trainer since 2018. He's been a certified personal trainer since 2020. Parrish will also serve as a de facto nutritionist and strength and conditioning coach.

"I want to get players ready to compete at a four-year institution," Parrish added. "I want to help them grow into the best players they can be as athletes and people. I want us to win at a high level and dominate the competition."

Parrish played four years of volleyball at University High School in Orlando, starting as a setter, libero, and opposite hitter. Parrish went on to attend the University of Central Florida where he spent a season each on the club teams for volleyball and beach volleyball. He graduated in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Sports and Exercise Science in Human Performance. He worked as a kinesiologist for a year at StretchLab and three at Crunch Fitness – both in Orlando.

In addition to Del Valle and Barbosa, Parrish credits his father Peter Klomp, former UCF coaches Jason Tanaka and Cam Stevens; and former UCF setter Erin Olson for mentoring him and providing support throughout his coaching journey.

"My dad coached me in numerous sports growing up and always led by example," Parrish reflected. "Jason and Cam let me observe practice, which was incredibly important for my development as a coach. Erin got me in touch with German and started that opportunity for me."

Now with connections to each of the last three Polk State head coaches, Parrish is excited to begin his college coaching career. He hopes to one day be a head coach.

"I love the teamwork that comes with this game – the fact that six people have to function as one solid unit, knowing that chaos can erupt at any minute," Parrish concluded. "When it works well together, it's like poetry. It takes communication, athleticism, and doing things for the people next to you. There is nothing like it; you can see the expressions and pain on players' faces. As a coach, you see that and help them adjust – physically and emotionally. You're like an on-the-court therapist. I'm excited for this opportunity."