Northeastern volleyball head coach Ken Nichols announced that Lauren DeTurk, Britney Brown and Thomas Olson have joined the Huskies' volleyball staff for the 2011 season.

“This is by far the most experienced and knowledgeable staff that I have ever been able to assemble,” said Nichols. “The commitment level of this group is second to none and they are all on the same page with regards to our philosophical tenets. I could not be more excited about the group that I get to work with this year and the student-athletes should benefit immensely.”

DeTurk, a 2008 Northeastern graduate, joins Nichols' staff as an assistant coach after a stellar four-year career with the Huskies. The 2008 CAA Player of the Year ranks second on the Huskies' all time career list for kills with 1330. The middle hitter accumulated many honors during her playing career, including first-team All-CAA, CAA All-Tournament, and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-East Region Honorable Mention.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring Lauren over to the 'other side,'” said Nichols. “She has such a great legacy at Northeastern and I think the players will gain so much from her. Lauren has always been a student of the game and she has a terrific work ethic in the gym and the weight room, so we will rely on her a great deal for training and game day management.”

Nichols welcomes another Northeastern all-time great to his staff, as 2010 CAA Player of the Year Britney Brown joins the program as an undergraduate student assistant. The Edwards, Colo., native concluded her Northeastern career last season, earning a place on several of the Huskies' career leaders lists after propelling Northeastern to the 2010 CAA Championship match. Brown also earned All-CAA and CAA All-Tournament honors, as well as being named an AVCA All-East Regional Honorable Mention. She is set to graduate in 2012 with a degree in Business Marketing.

“I can't begin to say how excited we are to have Britney coming back this fall to serve as our undergraduate student assistant,” said Nichols. “Britney has a work ethic and commitment level that cannot be surpassed. She has proven herself in every capacity as a player and is very much looking forward to beginning her journey as a coach. She is capable of seeing the game from the perspective of a setter and a hitter so she will help us in both areas and be especially valuable to our two young setters on the roster.”

Thomas Olson is the third newcomer to the Huskies' volleyball program and will serve as a volunteer assistant coach. Olson comes to Northeastern with a wealth of coaching experience, as he most recently served as the head coach of the men's volleyball program at Lasell College. Olson's coaching resume also includes stints at Johnson & Wales University and Emerson College, as well as at the Junior Olympic, Club and High School level.

Olson is also an active player in New England and has competed at the national level for the last six years.

“I have known Tom as a player and a coach for decades, he is a Northeastern man through and through and we are thrilled to finally be in a position to get him into the gym and on our staff,” said Nichols. “He will bring a wealth of knowledge with him as he, likes myself, has coached a myriad of different ages and levels.”

Northeastern begins its 2011 campaign on Friday, Aug. 26, as the Huskies travel to Worcester, Mass. to face Fairleigh Dickinson in day one of the Beanpot Classic Tournament.