Coaches Spotlight

How and where did your coaching career start?

I started my coaching career at high school alma mater Edgewater High School in 2014 and for college, I started at Clemson University in 2016 as the Director of Operations.

How did it feel to learn that you were an AVCA Diversity Award recipient?

I was extremely excited to receive the award because it paid for my way to the AVCA Convention where I got to meet my now boss and Head Coach Shaun Kupferberg at Howard University. I played at Marquette University and I knew of a lot of coaches and former players from a student-athlete standpoint. As far as my career, I knew my former college coaches at Marquette that was about the extent of my network. I needed the opportunity to expand my network/build relationship and all I needed was the opportunity to make it happen and I did.

How has the award impacted your career?

As I stated before, I got my first coaching job at Howard University from the opportunity to be at the convention. I met so many great people in my class and we learned a lot from the guest speakers as well as each other. I think one of the coolest things I was able to do was help one of my classmates Julian Welsh-White who was also looking for a job at the time. We have been a great team at Howard and I’m excited to see his future in the game of volleyball. I think personally that is what it is all about – paying it forward and understanding this career is about helping each other and receiving the award that is what it taught me.

What’s your favorite coaching memory?

I think my favorite coaching memory is going to the NCAA tournament for the first time as a coach. I went as a player in 2011 and returned as coach in 2017, and if you told me that back in 2011 I would not have believed you.

Do you have a fun fact to share about yourself?

I have a lot of random things that I can still do – like tumble. I used to do gymnastics when I was a little girl and a lot of the things I learned from ages 5-9 have not left me yet.

Sports Imports would also like to recognize the entire 2017 class of AVCA Diversity Awards Winners:

Noel Carpio, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach, UW-Milwaukee
Frank Craig, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, Oral Roberts University
Sid Davidson, Head Boys’ Volleyball Coach, Long Beach Polytechnic High School, CA
Alejandro Gonzalez, 1st Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach, Hamline University, & 17-2s Co-Head Coach, Minnesota Select Volleyball Club
Carrie Gurnell, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach, University of North Texas
Thanh Harnish, Head Coach, Munciana Volleyball Club
Victoria Hurrt, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach, Midwestern State University
Christian Staple, Assistant Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Coach, McKendree University
Julian Welsh-White, Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach, Howard University

(800) 556-3198

6950 Worthington Galena Rd, Suite 120
Worthington, OH 43085

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