Blossom Sato was named an assistant coach with the UC San Diego men's volleyball team in September of 2024.
Sato most recently coached Pepperdine's women's program, starting as a volunteer assistant after graduating in 2019. She was elevated to assistant coach in January of 2022 until taking her new post in La Jolla. With Sato on the bench, the Waves won a West Coast Conference (WCC) conference title in 2023. One player garnered AVCA All-America honors, while three earned AVCA All-Pacific South Region accolades. Six Waves were All-WCC Academic Team performers.
Sato began her collegiate coaching career at Portland State, where she was an assistant coach from January 2020 until December of 2021.
At the club level, Sato currently coaches Rockstar Boy's and was formerly with Mizuno Long Beach Girls. Rockstar 18's earned a third-place/Bronze medal finish at AAU Junior Nationals. She plays a crucial role in assisting and educating athletes and families about college recruitment timelines and processes.
As a two-year player for Pepperdine, Sato was recognized as an All-WCC First Team selection in 2018 after helping the Waves to an NCAA Second Round appearance. Prior to transferring to Pepperdine, Sato played two seasons at Mississippi State.
Sato comes from a revered volleyball family. Her mother, Liane, was a member of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team in 1988 and 1992 when the squad captured an Olympic Bronze medal. Her uncles, Eric and Gary, were also standouts in the sport, playing or coaching alongside legendary Pepperdine men's volleyball coach Marv Dunphy. Eric was a member of the 1988 U.S. Men's National Team that claimed Gold as well as the team that earned Bronze in 1992. Gary, now an assistant coach for the USC men, served as the United States' head coach for the 1985 FIVB World Cup, leading the squad to a Gold medal. He also served as an assistant for the US Men's National Team from 1984-88, 1992, and from 2009 to 2012.
