UM volleyball coach, players honored
Dec. 11, 2002
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – University of Miami volleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welch as well as players Marcela Gamarra (Medellin, Colombia), Valeria Tipiana (Lima, Peru), and Mallorey James were recently honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
A statement released by the AVCA Tuesday indicated that Lantagne Welch had been selected as the AVCA/Tachikara Division 1 Region Coach of the Year (Northeast) after leading her second-year program to a 27-5 record, a berth in the NCAA Tournament, wins over both Duke and Wisconsin, and a subsequent national ranking for the first time since the program’s restoration. Under Lantagne Welch’s watch, three Hurricanes were selected for First-Team All-BIG EAST Conference and two were selected for two of the league’s three post-season awards.
Gamarra, the team’s only senior, was selected to the All-Northeast Region team. Gamarra was also a First-Team All-BIG EAST selection and led the Hurricanes in kills per game (4.10). Gamarra was the MVP of the 2002 Hurricane Invitational Tournament. She was also a BIG EAST Player of the Week for Nov. 4.
Tipiana was also selected to the All-Northeast Region Team. She led the team in hitting percentage through much of the season (she is currently tied with Karla Johnson at .314) and was selected as the BIG EAST Player of the Year as well as First-Team All-BIG EAST. Tipiana earned tournament MVP honors at both the Florida International Fall Invitational and the Wichita State Tournament. She was selected twice as the BIG EAST Player of the Week (Sept. 2 and Nov. 18).
The Hurricanes’ third All-Northeast Region Team selection, Sophomore Mallorey James, led the BIG EAST through much of the season in assists and hovered within the top 10 in the nation. At the BIG EAST Championship Banquet she was announced as the league’s Setter of the Year. She currently clocks in with 12.91 assists per year.
The no. 24 Hurricanes will play no. 4 Nebraska Friday at 7 p.m. in Lincoln in the Regional Semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. Supporters may follow UM via live stats by going to huskers.com.
Those seeking more information regarding UM athletics may call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit www.hurricanesports.com.
