SANTA CLARA, Calif. — An experienced Power-5 coach, a veteran of international competition and a long-time, seasoned professional player, Anna Khrystenko is joining the Santa Clara University volleyball program's staff as an assistant coach, as announced Monday by head coach Erin Lindsey.
Khrystenko comes to Santa Clara after spending three years at Pac-12 Conference member Oregon State, most recently as the program's associate head coach in 2022. The Beavers won multiple all-Pac-12 honors during her tenure on staff, including Grace Massey becoming the first Beaver in four years to win consecutive all-conference honors. Oregon State had players ranked last season among the Pac-12's top-15 in kills per set, total assists, assists per set, total digs and triple-doubles.
"We are so excited to welcome Anna to the Bronco volleyball family," said Lindsey. "She brings a wealth of experience from the Pac-12, ACC and Big-10 conferences, along with international playing and recruiting experience. Our student-athletes are going to benefit greatly from her expertise in training middles and servers. Anna will act as our defensive coordinator and our lead recruiting overseas."
Khrystenko went to Oregon State after a three-year run as an assistant coach at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights set the school record with 300 team blocks in 2018. Prior to coaching the Scarlet Knights, she spent three years at Florida State, where she focused on blocking and international recruiting. During her time in Tallahassee, Fla., the Seminoles finished as Atlantic Coast Conference runners-up each year and advanced to a pair of Sweet 16s in three NCAA Tournament appearances.
In addition to three top-20 rankings in the AVCA Final Poll, Khrystenko coached two All-American and All-ACC middles. Florida State's front row finished with 370 blocks and ranked fifth in the NCAA in blocks per set (3.03 b/s) in 2015. It marked the third straight season the Seminoles had at least 500 assisted blocks, posting 634 on the year.
The native of Ukraine played five seasons on the Ukranian National Team (2002-06), competing in a pair of Junior World Championships and European Championships, and took fifth at the World Students games in the Republic of Korea in 2003.
She went on to play professionally from 1995-2008, earning four Ukranian Championship titles (2001-04). She was awarded multiple honors as 'Best Blocker' and 'Best Scorer' during her career, and was named "Best Server" in the 2003 European Top Teams Cup. A four-time winner of the Ukranian Cup (1996, 2001-03) and earned the honor of 'Best Server' following a third-place finish at the 2002 European Top Teams Cup.
At the conclusion of her playing career, she became a State Volleyball Coach for the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Ukraine (2008-2013). Anna was responsible for the development of volleyball in the entire country and was instrumental in selecting both coaches and players for National Ukrainian Teams. In addition, she oversaw the planning, adoption and implementation of the annual budget, identified new sponsors, and implemented sponsor activation and marketing. She was the Chairman of the Athletic Commission for the Ukrainian Volleyball Federation, member of the Executive Committee of the UVF, and member of the Athletic Commission of Ukraine's National Olympic Committee.
She earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Tavrian University of Business Law in 2000. She furthered her education with an L.L.B. degree in Civil Law and an L.L.M. in civil and commercial law from the National Law Academy. In addition, she secured a bachelor's degree in coaching volleyball and a master's degree in physical education and coaching from the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport.
She is married to Alexander Khrystenko and the couple has a son, Ivan.
