Ana Pego returned to West Haven to once again take over the reins of the New Haven women’s volleyball program in May 2023, a post she held during the 2018 campaign, racking up a 15-3 overall record in a season in which the Chargers went on to host the East Region Championship.
Pego proved to be the right fit right out of the gates at New Haven leading the Blue and Gold to a 23-10 record in her first season back on the sidelines, a record that included a 10-1 mark in the Northeast-10 Conference, finishing tied for first place following the regular season. The Chargers went on to win their sixth Northeast-10 Conference Championship and earned the program’s 36th berth into the NCAA Division II Championship.
Also among the highlights from Pego’s first season was having a pair of players named American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention with the duo of senior setter Michelle Henwood and junior outside hitter Macy Brown adding that accolade to NE10 Player of the Year Honors, First Team All-Conference distinction, AVCA and D2CCA All-East Region Honors as well as NE10 All-Championship distinction. Additionally, Brown was named to the D2CCA East Region Player of the Year and two additional players, Grace Juergens and Peyton Mast, each earned a spot on the NE10 All-Rookie Team.
A rising star in the collegiate volleyball circles, Pego returns to West Haven from Le Moyne where she was named head coach of the Dolphins in December after spending the previous three years at UNC Charlotte as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. During her time at Charlotte, the 49ers garnered three consecutive Conference USA Tournament berths, reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time in program history in 2020.
Pego returns to New Haven where she served as graduate assistant coach, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator and eventually as head coach, racking up a 15-3 overall record in 2018, a season in which the Chargers went on to host the East Region Championship.
A dual master’s degree recipient from New Haven, Pego served as a graduate assistant coach, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before being named the head coach prior to the 2018 campaign. She originally joined the Chargers coaching staff in August 2014 and worked with the Chargers setters, including All-Region and All-Conference performer Kristen Rios who led the team in assists in each of her three seasons, while among the leading hitters and defenders.
Following the 2015 season, Pego was recognized as one of seven recipients for the American Volleyball Coaches Association Minority Coaches Scholarship, providing her with full AVCA convention registration and housing for a five-day conference.
Prior to joining the Chargers, Pego was a student assistant coach with her alma mater, Alabama State, for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. She had also been the Hornets' starting setter for two seasons, taking the role of team captain in 2011.
A member of the Dean's List, Pego completed her Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology at Alabama State in 2013, graduated Summa Cum Laude and was selected to the Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society.
In addition to her experience playing Division I college volleyball and coaching collegiately at the Division I and Division II levels, Pego has also directed club volleyball for the Chelsea Piers Athletic Club in Connecticut and worked in operations for the New England Black Wolves lacrosse team.
