Oxnard College has hired former UC Santa Barbara All-American and AVP professional Brooke (Niles) Hanson as assistant coach of its women's volleyball team.

The Calabasas High graduate and Ventura resident, who also served UCSB as an assistant coach from 2003 to 2007, played every position but middle blocker during her four-year career on Isla Vista. Her bio on the UCSB website calls her "one of the most versatile players in Gaucho history."

"I've been looking for the right opportunity to get back into it," said Hanson. "I have an opportunity be part of something and build a program. It seemed like a good fit."

On the AVP pro tour, Hanson was named "Best Defender" for the 2009 season. She has partnered, among others, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh and Olympian Logan Tom.

"Brooke will bring a wealth of professional experience and will act as a great mentor for all of our student-athletes," said Oxnard athletic director Jonas Crawford in a release.

After an 0-6 start, the Condors, led by head coach David Fischer, won back-to-back matches against West Los Angeles and Antelope Valley last week.

"Obviously, it's not known as a volleyball powerhouse, but I don't see how it can't be," said Hanson of Oxnard. "We are in a good area.

"We actually have a good group of girls right now. They just haven't had a lot of experience."