Thayer Academy announces that Roberta Stannard will be the girls varsity volleyball head coach when the Tigers take the court this fall. 

Formerly the team’s assistant coach as well as head coach of the JV squad, Roberta succeeds her daughter, Jazna Stannard, who is starting a new career out of state and needs to step away from her role. 

“I’m very excited that Roberta will take over the varsity program,” said Athletics Director Rick Foresteire P ‘19, ‘21, who noted that Roberta is a product of the University of Michigan, a Division 1 volleyball powerhouse. 

In fact, the new head coach is a true athletics success story. A walk-on during her sophomore year at U-M, Roberta was later awarded a full scholarship. She lettered for three years and was a senior co-captain there before graduating with a degree in Industrial Design. She has played and coached volleyball for more than 35 years at the high school, Junior Olympic Club, and collegiate levels. She was recently inducted into the athletics hall of fame at her high school, where her record of 18 varsity letters still stands. 

“Coach (Roberta) Stannard will no doubt provide the program tremendous veteran experience and leadership,” said Foresteire. 

But Foresteire was quick to praise Jazna Stannard and thanked her for her efforts to develop a vibrant program. 

“Coach (Jazna) Stannard has been an outstanding coach at Thayer over the past several years,” he said. “The program has improved greatly during her tenure, and I cannot thank her enough.” 

Thayer’s girls varsity volleyball is one of 11 teams in the Independent School League (ISL) and participates in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class B Division for tournament play. Its comprehensive schedule includes ISL teams as well as both NEPSAC Class A and Class B opponents.