SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State beach volleyball coach Terri Del Conte announced the addition of Ozark, Mo., native Jade Hayes to her staff as assistant coach Wednesday.

"Jade brings great energy and an elite competitive background," said Del Conte, who enters her third season this spring. "I am positive that she is going to thrive in this program." 

Hayes brings a wealth of experience in both the beach and indoor games to Missouri State. A two-time Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, as well as a state qualifier in swimming and track, Hayes played her first two collegiate volleyball seasons at Missouri. She graduated from Mizzou in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in health sciences/health professions after appearing in 65 matches and 227 sets, and transferred to Central Florida for her final two indoor seasons.

At UCF, Hayes accumulated more than 1,000 digs in two seasons, and then concluded her eligibility on the South Carolina beach volleyball team in the Spring of 2015. She returned to UCF to work as a graduate assistant and director of operations for the Knights' volleyball program, and completed her Master's in interdisciplinary studies at the school in May 2017.

Hayes remains active on the professional beach volleyball circuit, and has been a Platform 1440 sponsored athlete since 2018.