WILMINGTON, N.C. ? UNC Wilmington Head Coach Amy Bambenek has named former George Washington University graduate assistant AJ Bonetti as an assistant coach for the Seahawk volleyball program.

“I'm very excited to have AJ join the UNCW program as our assistant coach,” said Bambenek. “He is a proven coach at the high school and club levels, but his continued experience with USA Volleyball sets him apart from many of the up-and-coming assistants. We have a lot of the same philosophies, and I know he is completely dedicated to being part of the new era for Seahawk volleyball.”

Bonetti spent the 2008 season as an assistant coach at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Va., where he helped the Eagles capture Bay River District regular season and tournament crowns and advance to the state quarterfinals with 25 victories. He was also instrumental in the development of three All-Region players, two All-State honorees and the Bay River District's Player-of-the-Year.  Bonetti also served as Head Coach of the Williamsburg Juniors 17's that compete in the Old Dominion Region of the USA Junior Olympic Volleyball program.

Prior to his work at Jamestown, Bonetti spent two seasons at George Washington as a graduate assistant and volunteer assistant coach with the Colonials. He served as the team's video coordinator and directed the strength and conditioning program, while also being involved with the setup and teardown of volleyball events, booster club receptions and alumni events. Bonetti also worked as an instructor at the Nike Volleyball Camps, hosted by the GW.

Bonetti has extensive experience with the USA Volleyball Men's National Team, serving as a statistician during the team's World League events in America in the summer of 2008. He also assisted in operational/facility management of all matches and worked as Director of Statistical Acquisition for the High Performance Championships in Tucson, Ariz., leading a team of eight individuals who acquired volleyball related statistical data at the event.

A native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Bonetti earned his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology from East Stroudsburg University, where he was a member of men's volleyball program. He earned his Master's Degree in Exercise Science from George Washington in 2008.