Eleven Division I women’s coaches, including North Dakota State head coach Jennifer Lopez, and 19 others were tabbed as the 2018 American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Thirty Under 30 Award winners on Thursday.
Lopez, who had the interim tag removed from her title midway through the 2017 season, was one of 10 collegiate head coaches to garner the Thirty Under 30 honor and one of just two in the Division I women’s ranks alongside Cal beach coach Meagan Owusu.
Four Division III bosses – Amber Dunn (Wisconsin-Lacrosse) and Kyle Exline (North Central College’s men’s and women’s), Lauren London-Law (Washington & Jefferson) and Annie McShea (Stevens Institute of Technology) – received the accolade. Division II’s Amanda Ostapow (Long Island-Post) and the NAIA’s Nick Ferry (Antelope Valley) and Alison Williams (Martin Methodist College) rounded out the group.
Just three men’s coaches – Exline and Grand Canyon boss Matthew Werle and BYU assistant coach Jaylen Reyes – were among the honorees.
Also included were five high school/club coaches and several collegiate assistants.
The Thirty 30 awards have been presented by the AVCA since 2009.
“Each year these selections get tougher and tougher as our sport is blessed with so many remarkable young coaches.” said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. “They know they are the future of the sport and of the AVCA, and I’m impressed with their willingness to give of themselves and their desire to lead.”
The full group of honorees, selected from 144 nominees, is below.
- Rudi Balich, Lewis, assistant coach
- David Brown, Loyola-Chicago, assistant coach
- Alyssa D’Errico, Dayton, assistant coach
- Amber Dunn, Wisconsin-LaCrosse, assistant coach
- Samantha Erger, Baylor, assistant coach
- Kyle Exline, North Central College, head coach men’s & women’s
- Nick Ferry, Antelope Valley, head coach
- Tiffany Fisher, Ball State, assistant coach
- Patricia Gandolfo, West Florida, assistant coach
- Daniel Hart, Pulse Athletics Volleyball Club, club director
- Kristen Kelsay, Michigan State, assistant coach
- Kristian Kuld, Actyve Volleyball, head coach
- Bryan Jordan Lay, Wofford, assistant coach
- Alyssa Lilley, Trinity (TX), assistant coach
- Lauren London-Law, Washington & Jefferson, head coach
- Jennifer Lopez, North Dakota State, head coach
- Patrick Maloney, VCU, assistant coach
- Matthew McDevitt, MiraCosta Community College, assistant coach
- Spencer McLachlin, California, assistant
- Annie McShea, Stevens Institute of Technology, head coach
- Amanda Ostapow, Long Island-Post, head coach
- Meagan Owusu, California beach, head coach
- Jordana Price, Florida State, assistant coach
- Jaylen Reyes, BYU men, assistant coach
- Sarah Roush, Asics Munciana Volleyball, head coach
- Melissa Southall, Vandegrift High School, head coach
- Taylor Unroe, Mississippi State, assistant coach
- Jordan Vidovic, Madist High School/Michio Chicago VBA, head coach
- Matthew Werle, Grand Canyon men, head coach
- Alison Williams, Martin Methodist College, head coach
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