RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines women's volleyball coach Lauren Torvi Prochazka is pleased to announce the hiring of Tony Sunga as the new assistant coach for the 2020 season.

"I am so excited about adding Tony to our Hardrocker family," Torvi Prochazka said. "Tony stood out from all of our applicants with his extensive experience, proven knowledge of the game, and infectious personality. Tony understands the game at an extremely high level and he will challenge our scholar-athletes to not only be incredibly successful in life but on the court as well."

Sunga comes to South Dakota Mines from Simpson College where he was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator since 2013. During his time at Simpson he was also the head coach of the Central Iowa Select team for two years where he led and trained them to two USA Volleyball Girls Championships.

Prior to Simpson, he was the head coach at NCAA Div. I Drake University from 2011-2013. This was his second stint at Drake as he was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2005-2008. In between Drake, he was the assistant coach at the University of Wyoming from 2008-2010. Sunga helped transform the Cowgirls into a contender in the Mountain West Conference. Wyoming saw a 17-game improvement during his three seasons in Laramie, going from five wins in 2008 to 22 wins in 2010.

Sunga's first full-time assistant role was at Simpson where he was the assistant volleyball coach from 1993-1997 and assistant women's basketball coach from 1996-2000.

Sunga has also been the head coach at Des Moines Lincoln High School (2001-2004), and Hoover High School (1992-1993), a graduate assistant at Drake (1991-1992) and a volunteer assistant at Drake (1990-1991). He was also the volunteer assistant at Iowa State University in 2004.

Sunga holds a BA in International Relations/Political Science and a Master's of Arts in Teaching from Drake University.

"I am confident in his ability to make immediate connections and build lasting relationships with our young women," Torvi Prochazka said. "Our family is lucky to have Tony on board as we continue to elevate Hardrocker Volleyball into a program of excellence."

Sunga and his wife Melissa have three sons: Michael, Phillip, and Daniel.

Sunga will start his duties July 1, 2020