University of Tennessee Athletics
Volleyball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- abonetti@utk.edu
- Phone:
- (865) 974-8881
The 2017-18 school year marks A.J. Bonetti's second year on the Tennessee staff as an assistant coach, working closely with the Vols' front row and in recruiting.
In his first year at Tennessee, sophomore Erica Treiber gained momentum as one of the top middle hitters, earning AVCA All-Southeast Region and honorable mention All-America honors while averaging 2.58 kills per set (.348 hitting percentage) and 1.06 blocks per set. Tennessee finished 17-14 overall.Bonetti arrived to Rocky Top after spending the last seven seasons with the UNC Wilmington staff. He was an assistant coach for five years before being promoted to associate head coach for the last two seasons.
"AJ's somebody who has demonstrated a tremendous ability to recruit and coach at a very high level," Tennessee head coach Rob Patrick said. "He was in charge of the defense at UNC Wilmington, and coached the middle blockers. Two of those middle blockers were ranked in the top 10 in the nation in blocks per set, and the team was top 10 in opponent hitting percentage.
"He's been able to recruit at a high level when they only had eight scholarships available. AJ did a great job of identifying talent and bringing the right players into the Wilmington program and won the conference title against teams that had fully funded scholarships. He has a great personality and gets along with everyone from players to coaches to administrators. AJ is a very hard worker who is the first one in the gym and last to leave when recruiting."
UNCW is coming off a conference title last season in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Seahawks ended the year with a 24-8 record. Four players earned All-CAA honors, including first-team middle blocker Meredith Peacock.
During his tenure with the Seahawks, the team recorded three 20-win seasons and 10 players earned All-CAA honors. As a junior in 2014, Peacock ranked fifth nationally in blocks per set and sixth in total blocks. She was ranked in the top 20 in both categories as a senior as well.
At every stop, Bonetti has been active in coaching on the defensive side, particularly when it comes to blocking and schemes. He has also worked in the serving game.
"One of the main things that brought me here was a chance to work with Rob," Bonetti said. "He's been in the game for quite some time and has a lot of experience. With that, I felt like it would be a great learning and growing experience for myself as a coach. The history of this program has been successful, and it's an exciting time as a program, where we are and where we are going. It's going to be fun and an exciting brand of volleyball.
"I'm excited to bring my energy and personality to the program. I think it's fun to share that with the players and the staff members. It's going to be a good opportunity."
Before joining the UNCW staff, Bonetti was an assistant coach for Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Va., helping the team with the 2008 Bay River District regular season and tournament titles. He was also head coach of the Williamsburg Juniors 17s club.
Before coaching at Jamestown High School, he was at George Washington for two years as a graduate assistant and volunteer assistant coach. He was the team's video coordinator and directed the strength and conditioning program.
On the national scene, Bonetti has worked with the USA Volleyball men's national team, serving as statistician for the team's world league events in America in 2008. He also assisted in operational/facility management of all matches and worked as Director of Statistical Acquisition for the High Performance Championships in Tucson, Ariz., leading an eight-member team who acquired volleyball related statistical data at the event.
Bonetti is a native of Mechanicsburg, Pa. He earned his undergraduate degree in exercise physiology from East Stroudsburg University, where he played volleyball. He earned his master's degree in exercise science from George Washington in 2008.
