Michigan Wolverines women's volleyball


The Michigan Wolverines women's volleyball team represents the University of Michigan in National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I competition. The women's volleyball program at the University of Michigan began in 1973. Mark Rosen has been the coach since 1999. The team plays its home matches at Cliff Keen Arena.

History

Vong years (1973–1983)

Sandy Vong was the first head coach of the Michigan Wolverines women's volleyball program. He held the position for 11 years from 1973 to 1983. Vong's 1981 team compiled a 40-17 record, captured the school's first Big Ten Conference volleyball championship, won the AIAW Regional Championship, and finished in eighth place at the AIAW National Championship.

Three coaches (1984–1991)

During the eight years from 1984 to 1991, the Michigan women's volleyball program had three head coaches: Barb Canning, Joyce Davis, and Peggy Bradley-Doppes. The team compiled a winning record in only one of those eight years, a 19-12 finish in 1991.

Giovanazzi years (1992–1998)

In 1992, Peggy Bradley-Doppes stepped down as Michigan's head volleyball coach to focus on her duties as the school's women's athletic director. Greg Giovanazzi, a former All-American volleyball player at UCLA, was hired to replace her. Giovanazzi led the team for seven years from 1992 to 1998. The 1997 Michigan team reached the 20-win level for the first time since 1987 and was the subject of a profile in the Chicago Tribune indicating that the program was experiencing a renaissance. The 1997 team ultimately compiled a 21-12 record, finished in third place in the Big Ten, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program's history. The team lost to Texas A&M in the second round of the 1997 tournament.
Interest in the sport at Michigan declined after the 1997 season, with average home attendance dropping to less than 600 during the 1998 season. Giovanazzi was replaced as Michigan's head volleyball coach after the 1998 season.

Rosen years (1999–present)

Mark Rosen was hired as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines women's volleyball team in 1999. He had previously been a volleyball coach at Cal State Bakersfield, Northern Michigan University and Boise State University Since taking over the program, Rosen has led the Wolverines to national prominence. His teams have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 12 of his first 14 years as head coach and have reached the 20-win level for seven consecutive years from 2006 to 2012. Between 2006 and 2012, the team has compiled an overall record of 170-67.
In 2008, Rosen broke Sandy Vong's team record for career wins at Michigan. The 2008 team compiled a 26-9 record, marking the first time the team had reached 20 wins in three consecutive seasons.
In 2009, Rosen's team compiled a 27-10 record, defeated No. 4-ranked Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and ultimately advanced to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.
In 2011, Michigan again defeated Stanford in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Round of 16. In 2012, the team compiled a 27-12 record and advanced to the National Semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament.
In June 2013, the Michigan women's volleyball team toured Argentina and Brazil and played 10 matches against local teams. The Wolverines compiled a 9-1 record on their South American tour. The final three matches were against the Brazilian Youth National Team, and Michigan won two of the three matches.

Coaching Staff

Facilities

Since 1989, the team has played its home matches at Cliff Keen Arena located on Hoover Street in the school's athletic campus between the Administration Building and the Intramural Building. The facility has a seating capacity of 1,800 and is also used by Michigan's men's gymnatics and wrestling teams. It was built in 1956 for the Michigan swimming and diving team and was known as the Matt Mann Pool from 1956 to 1988 and as Varsity Arena from 1988 to 1989.

Coaching records

The Michigan women's volleyball team has had six head coaches since it was established in 1973. Their coaching records are as follows:
#NameYearsSeasonsOWOLOTO%CWCLCTC%Conf. TitlesNCAA Berths
1Sandy Vong1973-1983111771507.5407190.26910
2Barb Canning1984-1985229340.4607240.22600
3Joyce Davis1986-1989450830.3768640.11100
4Peggy Bradley-Doppes1990-1991225370.40312260.31600
5Greg Giovanazzi1992-199871041160.47359810.42101
6Mark Rosen1999–Present194052550.6111882050.469018
Total457906757.5342814190.394119

Notable players

AVCA All-Americans

In 2003, Erin Moore became the first Michigan volleyball player to be selected as an All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. In 2009, Lexi Zimmerman became Michigan's first player to receive first-team All-America honors. In total, Michigan women's volleyball players have received All-American recognition from the AVCA 11 times.
Three Michigan women's volleyball players have won the Big Ten Medal of Honor.
Eleven Michigan women's volleyball player have received All-Big Ten Conference recognition.
Michigan team records are based on the 2013 Michigan Volleyball Record Book.

Kills