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Vanguard University head women’s volleyball coach Erikka Gulbranson

was named the head coach of the 2005 United States youth national

team Monday.

Gulbranson, who was the assistant coach for the USA junior

national team in 2004, led the Lions to a top 25 NAIA ranking in

2004, with a 25-14 record, and the first consecutive winning season

in a decade.

Gulbranson is a graduate of Cal State Bakersfield, and is

currently an associate professor of exercise science at Vanguard, and

also owner and director of Advanced Sports Training of Costa Mesa,

which specializes in administration of camps and clinics for athletes

of all ages in volleyball, basketball, weight training and

conditioning.

She has also coached at the University of Idaho, Utah State and

USC. In 2003, Gulbranson coached the youth national team, and the

2004 gold medal girls junior national team.

The 2005 youth national training team begins on July 8 in Colorado

Springs, Colo., in preparation for the youth World Championships in

Macau, China, July 23-31.

The U.S. team is placed in a pool with Italy, Chinese Taipei and

Tunisia for the preliminary round. Gulbranson will return as head

coach for the 2005 season.