Lantagne Welch Named ACC Coach of the Year

GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Miami headvolleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welch has been named the Atlantic CoastConference Coach of the Year, the league office announced Wednesday. It is thesecond time the veteran mentor has earned the honor (2008).

“Asa team and a program we knew that we were a little bit underestimated thisseason,” Lantagne Welch said. “We had a lot to prove and were not picked high sincewe lost a lot of people. However, what a lot of people didn’t know was howready we were to step out to the court and compete. It is a credit to all ofthe players in our program and the coaches on the staff to how hard we haveworked this year to put ourselves in this position.”

Inher 12^th season at the helm of the program she created, LantagneWelch defied expectations this season to put the Hurricanes in contention towin their first ACC title. The team lost four starters from last year’s roster,including three All-ACC selections. Miami was picked to finish in fifth placein a preseason poll of the league coaches.

“Iam very happy for Nicole and the program,” interim Director of Athletics BlakeJames said. “This award is a tremendous recognition of the job that she hasdone not only this year, but during her time at the University of Miami.”

WithAll-ACC selections also announced, Lantagne Welch put six players on the team,tying an ACC record. Miami is in the top four in the conference in all statisticalcategories, including leading in opponent hitting percentage (.148), assists (13.31/set),kills (14.33/set) and blocks (2.92/set).

UMhas been ranked as high as No. 23 this season and has won its most leaguematches (17) since joining the conference in 2004. Five different Hurricanes haveearned ACC Player of the Week honors on six occasions this season.

LantagneWelch is the only head coach of the program since it re-started for the 2001season. One win away from its first ACC title, Miami will also be looking toqualify for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. She is243-188 (.673) overall and 110-71 (.607) in ACC play in 12 seasons afterearning All-ACC status as a setter during her playing days at Maryland.

Miami(25-4, 17-2) is currently No. 23 in the ACVA Coaches Poll and will travel toface Florida State for the ACC title Friday at 1 p.m. The match will bebroadcast on ESPN3.

For all the latest information on MiamiHurricanes volleyball, follow the official Twitter feed, @CanesVB, or “Like Us”on Facebook at facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.

! – Two-Time selection
# – Three-Time selection
% – Four-time selection