Argabright Joins Hurricane Volleyball Coaching Staff

July 9, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami along with head volleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welch announced Friday the addition of assistant coach Lisa Argabright to the UM coaching staff.

Argabright comes to Miami after a standout playing career at Illinois from 1999-2003 as one of the most dominant middle blockers in Illini history.

“We are extremely excited about the addition Lisa to our staff,” Coach Lantagne Welch commented. “She has an exceptional understanding of the game and comes in after an outstanding playing career at Illinois. We are eager to see her make her mark here at the University of Miami.”

At Illinois, Argabright earned All-Big Ten honors twice and was named an AVCA All-Mideast Region selection in 2001 and 2003 and an honorable mention member in 2002. During her senior campaign, Argabright was tabbed an AVCA Third-Team All-American after leading the Illini in kills, attack percentage and blocks in 2003, averaging 3.72 kills per game with a .376 hitting percentage along with 1.28 blocks per game. She recorded double figures in kills in 26 of 33 matches led Illinois in kills in nearly half of all matches played and recorded a hitting percentage of .400 or better in 15 matches in 2003.

Argabright finished her career at Illinois with the fifth highest hitting percentage (.352) in school history while totaling 1,111 career kills and 404 blocks.

Her individual success at Illinois also translated in to the team’s success as Argabright helped lead the Illini the three NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen at the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

Argabright has also played with the world’s best on the international scene, participating in the U.S. Volleyball National A2 program in the summer of 2002 as a member of the U.S. Phase II roster, a contingent of 12 players selected to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs while competing in the college division of the Salt Lake City Volley Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She graduated from Illinois in 2004 with a bachelor of science in leisure studies with an emphasis in sport management. A native of Louisville, Ky., Argabright was a two-time all-state selection at Sacred Heart High School.

“I am thrilled to become a part of the staff at Miami,” Argabright said. “Miami has to be one of the most appealing places in the country with the incredible job that Coach Lantagne Welch has done here in such a short time. I feel very fortunate to be given the chance to work at Miami and am excited about this opportunity.”