Former Penn State libero Kaleena Walters was announced as an assistant coach for the two-time defending NCAA champion women's volleyball team Tuesday.

The position was filled two months after former assistant coach Salima Rockwell left the program for the same position at the University of Texas.

"Coach [Russ Rose] has been one of the most successful coaches," said Walters, who's been with the team since spring break. "I enjoyed playing for him. It's gonna be great working for him. The girls are amazing athletes and have accomplished a lot. It's a no-brainer for me."

Four others interviewed for the position, but Rose said Walters had the enthusiasm for the program, could relate the experiences of playing for him and had a background in recruiting.

"One of the things that's beneficial is the familiarity with the culture of the gym and what my expectations are of the players and the staff," Rose said.

During her two years as an assistant at the College of Charleston, Walters was in charge of more administrative duties, such as handling the budget.

So far, she's spent her young coaching career in the South Gym running passing drills at the beginning of practice, which started March 16.

As a player, Walters spent most of her time benefiting from similar drills.

Walters started at libero from 2002-05 and is Penn State's career digs leader with 1,957.

"It's important for one of our staff members to understand the other aspect of it of what we're going through playing for [Rose]," sophomore libero Alyssa D'Errico said.

With libero Roberta Holehouse set to graduate this spring, stability in the backrow is one of the bigger questions heading into the 2009 season. Holehouse had 122 more digs than her next teammate.

D'Errico's 197 digs are tops among returning defensive specialists.

But knowledge of how to replace Holehouse's production in the back row wasn't part of the interview.

"Everybody has certain strengths," Rose said. "Salima did a great job in the role when she was here. People assumed she was responsible for Alisha [Glass] being good, but Alisha was responsible for Alisha being good."

Rockwell, also an All-American setter from 1991-94, left after three years.

"Salima was such a unique individual because of her playing background both as a college player and as a national team player," Rose said. "Kaleena, her name's in the record book at Penn State a little bit as well."

How long Walters stays wasn't a deciding factor in the hire, although Rose said one of the other candidates he interviewed wouldn't have stayed very long.

But Walters, who played with this year's seniors in 2005, doesn't seem to be the one to walk away anytime soon.

"He knows me well enough that he knows that I love it here," Walters said. "I wanna be here."