TWU volleyball coach quits, says not related to ill players

DENTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Woman’s University volleyball coach Shelly Barberee has resigned after being on personal leave when eight players got sick and were hospitalized for muscle issues.

The Denton Record-Chronicle (http://bit.ly/2bruNFG ) reports Barberee went on unspecified family leave Aug. 12.

Barberee, who spent 13 seasons as head coach, was on leave when workouts began the week of Aug. 15. She learned about the sick players through social media and says her resignation, announced Saturday, is not connected to the incident.

Eight players were hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis, a syndrome in which muscle tissue breaks down and enters the bloodstream. School officials believe the illnesses were linked to dehydration and overexertion.

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TWU officials haven’t said who led practices. One player remained hospitalized over the weekend.

Assistant coach Jessica Beener was named interim head coach.