MIAMI - (Jan. 11, 2021) – Cristina Robertson has been named as head coach of the FIU indoor volleyball program, FIU Athletics Director Scott Carr announced on Tuesday.
 
"We are excited to have Cristina leading our indoor volleyball program," Carr said. "She has a passion for the entire student-athlete experience and has proven that she can elevate a program to a championship level in competition, academics and culture.  I am confident that with her vision and experience, both as a coach and as a player, she is poised to lead the program to new heights."
 
Robertson joins FIU after spending the last four seasons at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she guided the Retrievers to 44 wins and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Under Robertson's tutelage, UMBC won both the 2020 and 2021 America East Championships, en route to capturing the program's first two NCAA berths since 1998.
 
"I would like to thank Scott Carr, Julie Berg, Heath Glick and the rest of the search committee for allowing me to become the next head coach of the FIU Volleyball program," Robertson said. "I am excited about the future of this program and everything that we will accomplish together. From the first phone call to the moments on campus, where I met so many amazing people, it was clear the commitment FIU is making to its volleyball program and the investment in its student-athletes."
 
"I would also like to thank UMBC for allowing me to lead its volleyball program for the past four seasons and allowing me to grow as a head coach," Robertson added. "I am beyond excited for this new journey and to be a part of such a wonderful community. I know I will be surrounded by great people at FIU whose vision aligns perfectly with my own. I am ready to get started and lead this program to new heights."
 
During her final campaign in Baltimore, Robertson and her staff were honored as the 2021 America East Coaching Staff of the Year for the second-straight season following a perfect 12-0 mark in America East Conference play.  UMBC was defeated by NCAA National Semifinalist, Pittsburgh in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Championship.
 
Six different Retrievers earned all-conference honors in 2021, including setter Loren Teter earning All-America East First Team recognition. Teter also became the first player in UMBC program history to be recognized with AVCA All-Region status and is second Retriever to be selected as the America East Defensive Specialist of the Year.  
 
During the Spring 2021 season, Robertson led UMBC to an 11-4 overall mark. With six new players, including five freshmen and a nearly entirely new starting lineup, UMBC was picked to finish near the bottom of the standings in a preseason coaches poll.
 
The Retrievers shocked everyone by going 9-3 in conference play and earning a share of the America East regular season title for the first time in program history. The dream season concluded when the Retrievers fell in straight sets to Pepperdine during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
UMBC also excelled in the classroom under Robertson with a total of seven Retrievers being named to the America East All-Academic team over her tenure. For the 2018-19 academic year, the Retrievers earned their first-ever American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. 
 
In total, nine Retrievers were named to America East All-Conference teams while seven appeared on America East All-Rookie teams, including two America East Rookies of the year. 
 
Before arriving in Baltimore, Robertson spent nine seasons on the sidelines at Duke as an assistant coach from 2009-18.
 
The native of Romania assisted with team training, recruiting and scouting for the Blue Devil volleyball program. She also helped the Blue Devils to a 197-74 overall record and a 124-54 mark in ACC play. The Blue Devils finished in the top three in the league in all but three seasons since her arrival, capturing the conference crown in 2010 and 2013.
 
Duke advanced to the NCAA Tournament in six of her nine seasons, including 2010 when the Blue Devils enjoyed a run to the NCAA Regional Final, before falling to eventual national champion Penn State.
 
Robertson has also aided in the development of nine All-Americans, 10 All-East Region selections and 13 All-ACC picks, including 2013 ACC Player of the Year Emily Sklar, 2010 ACC Player of the Year Kellie Catanach and three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year Ali McCurdy.
 
Before Duke, Robertson served two seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate, helping lead the Red Raiders to back-to-back winning seasons in 2007 and 2008 as well as a pair of runs to the Patriot League Championship match. Robertson assisted in all aspects of the program while at Colgate.
 
Robertson's coaching career began at Troy where she served as a graduate assistant for two seasons. With Troy, Robertson assisted with the day-to-day operations of the program, coordinating team travel and equipment and working with the summer camps program.
 
Before beginning her career as a coach, Robertson played three years as a middle blocker at Long Island University and helped the team capture the 2004 Northeast Conference Championship. During the championship run that propelled Long Island to an NCAA Tournament berth, Robertson was named NEC Tournament MVP and to the All-NEC first team. A two-time Long Island team MVP in 2002 and 2003, Robertson finished the 2003 season ranked fourth nationally in kills per set.
 
In 2012, the LIU Department of Athletics inducted Robertson into its Hall of Fame as she became the first Hall of Fame inductee from the Blackbirds' volleyball program.
 
Robertson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Adapted Physical Education from Long Island University's Arnold and Marie Schwartz School of Sports Sciences in 2005. She went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Sport and Fitness Management from Troy in 2007.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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