On Friday, it was confirmed by the University of New Haven’s athletics director that Ana Pego will no longer be the women’s volleyball coach. Former coach and current deputy director of athletics Robin Salters will replace Pego as the interim head coach.

Before her leaving, Pego coached the team to a 15-3 overall record and a 6-0 record in the NE-10 this season.

“Following a lengthy process with U.S. Immigrations and Customs, the University of New Haven head women’s volleyball coach, Ana Pego, has stepped away from her duties as coach, effective immediately, to return to her home in Belo Horizonte, Brazil,” said athletic director Chris Palmer.

Pego joined the women’s volleyball program as a graduate assistant in 2014, and was promoted to assistant coach in 2017. She became head coach last spring. She graduated from Alabama State University with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology before earning two master’s degrees from the University of New Haven.

“When we found out that they were not going to allow her to remain in the country, there was nothing we could do,” said Lyn Chamberlin, university vice president of marketing and communications. “It wasn’t anything we had control over, we had no choice in this situation.”

The team was disappointed to hear this news regarding their coach, according to Chamberlin.

“They really formed a bond with her,” said Chamberlin. “We want to support the team through this transition.”

Chamberlin said she did not know the specifics of Pego’s issue with immigration..

The team will look to keep their eight game winning streak alive under the new leadership of Salters as they face LIU Post on 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Charger Gym.   

This is a developing story, more details will be provided as they become available.