News, Updates, and More.
DesLauriers Named 2017 NCAA II National Coach of the Year
Academy Volleyball is extremely proud to announce that Molloy Lions Womens' Volleyball Head Coach, Kevin DesLauriers, has been named the 2017 United States Marine Corp/AVCA NCAA II National Coach of the Year. DesLauriers is Academy Volleyball's Head Director and Head Coach of the Girls 16 Red team.
Previously DesLauriers had been named the ECC/Eastern Region Coach of the Year and is now being recognized nationally for the historic turnaround he orchestrated for the Molloy Lions Women's Volleyball program. DesLauriers will also be featured at the Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon during the American Volleyball Coaches Association Convention on December 14, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri.
To read more about the outstanding coaching job by DesLauriers please read our previous post. Below are the some of the highlights from Coach DesLauriers amazing season:
- First season as the Molloy Lions Women's Volleyball Head Coach
- 26-6 overall record and 12-2 in the East Coast Conference (an amazing turnaround from the previous season's record of 6-25)
- Nearly quadrupled the team’s number of wins from 2016
- Earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA East Regional
- Won the Molloy Lions Womens' Volleyball program’s first ever ECC Championship
- Led the conference in kills per set (13.36) and assists per set (12.52)
- Advanced to the NCAA East Regional Semifinal
- Also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations
For more information on DesLauriers honor, please visit the Molloy Lions website as well as the AVCA website.
NOTEWORTHY
Academy Volleyball will be well represented at this year's American Volleyball Coaches Association Convention in Kansas City, Missouri in December 2017. Not only will Coach DesLauriers be featured at the Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon, but Academy athlete, Mackenzie Cole (18 Red), will also compete in the Under Armour Girls High School All-American Match, which also takes place at the convention. For more details on that match, please read our previous post.
* photos/video courtesey of Molloy College Athletics.
Academy Athletes Make Newsdays' "All Long Island" teams.
Academy Volleyball would like to acknowledge and congratulate it's athletes who have been recognized by Newsday for their play during this past varsity season. Being named by the Newsday sports writers to their "All Long Island" teams is a special accomplishment. Please see below for all Academy Athletes that have been recognized.
BOYS FIRST TEAM ALL-LONG ISLAND
Brennen Brandow
Long Island Player of the Year, 2017
“With a vertical that makes it seem like he’s floating in midair, Brandow surveyed defenses all season to find weak spots. When he found them, he exploited them time and time again.”
Timothy Drake
“A powerful hitter and server, Drake was a force for the Chiefs, who won a county title.”
Jason Koehler
“An excellent overall player, he amassed over 200 kills as a middle and hurt defenses with a jump-serve that’s difficult to receive.”
Dan LaRosa
“Long Island’s top libero this fall was the catalyst for the Flaming Arrows, turning defense into a potent offense.”
Conner Pallmann
“He posted a team-high 209 kills and 37 aces for the Flaming Arrows.”
Kyle Shaffer
“He led the fifth-seeded Bulls to the county semifinals as both a setter and hitter.”
Chris Shanley
“Shanley was a threat each game to produce double-digit totals in kills and digs.”
BOYS SECOND TEAM ALL-LONG ISLAND
- Jack Driscoll
- Quinn Foglia
- Kevin Kelleher
- Jack Poplawski
GIRLS FIRST TEAM ALL-LONG ISLAND
Mackenzie Cole
Long Island Player of the Year, 2017
“She’s been a six-year varsity starter,” he said. “She’s never once, not one single time, missed a practice. Even when she’s sick, she’s come and sat in the corner because she refuses to miss a practice.”
Julia Beckmann
Nassau County Player of the Year, 2017
“She plays all-around,” she said. “There’s nothing that she can’t do.”
Mia Cergol
“As versatile a player as there is on Long Island, she was a threat to post double digits in kills, digs and assists in any match.”
Kathleen Doherty
“The on-court leader used a big swing and sound defense to lead the Chiefs to yet another successful season.”
Nicole Migliozi
“One of the most consistent setters on Long Island, she racked up 809 assists and will play at Quinnipiac.”
Cassandra Patsos
“The Iona commit led the team in kills (347) and blocks (96) and paced the T-Birds in the state tournament.”
Grace Rosenberg
“A fantastic two-way player, her setting and hitting was integral in the Marines’ county final victory over Massapequa.”
USA Volleyball High Performance Tryout Dates Now Available.
Tryout dates and locations have been posted by USA Volleyball for their respective Boys and Girls High Performance Program.
For those who are new to club and USA Volleyball, the High Performance program is organizied by USA Volleyball to identify talent from across the country. As such, tryouts are held in various locations throughout the country during the course of the club season. The ultimate goal of the program is to identify and develop athletes that will eventually feed in to their National and Olympic programs.
Tryouts are open to everyone and, if you are selected, USA Volleyball offer excellent options that will provide quality instruction from college-level coaches as well as excellent opportunities to grow in both athletics and charachter. Some programs offered by USA Volleyball are high-level camps only, while others offer the ability to compete in the USA Volleyball High Performance Championship Tournament during the summer of 2018.
See our post from the Summer of 2017 to get a sense of the experiences that some of our athletes had at the High Performance Championships this past year (both for Team USA and for GEVA High Performance).
If you are interested in attending a tryout, please click on the link below.
Academy Coaches Earn Hall of Fame Honors
Academy Volleyball is pleased to announce that, in September, Coach/Director Matthew DiStefano and Coach Bill Kropp were inducted as part of the Sachem High School Athletics 2017 Hall of Fame class.
As one of the largest school districts in New York State, Sachem High School has seen its fair share of notable athletes and coaches. Being selected for the Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor and an amazing accomplishment, one that DiStefano and Kropp have more than earned.
"DEZY"
As an athlete, DiStefano earned his Hall of Fame selection for Volleyball and Basketball. He is regarded as, “one of the best two-sport athletes” in Sachem High School history. He is the only volleyball player to win Suffolk County Volleyball MVP two years in a row (‘94/’95), while also captaining his teams to two Suffolk County Championships and a 36-0 overall record.
In basketball he was the top defender on the only Sachem High School basketball team (in school district history) to win a Suffolk County Championship. It’s also worth noting that DiStefano was also a two sport athlete at his college (Mount Saint Vincent), having been inducted to the NECVA Volleyball Hall of Fame as well as having his volleyball number retired by the school.
DiStefano has been a coach of the Sachem North volleyball team for the past 17 years, winning a New York State Championship in 2014.
COACH KROPP
The Sachem High School coaching career of Bill Kropp is packed with Hall of Fame caliber numbers. Not only was he the Head Coach of the Girls Varsity Volleyball program, but he was also the founder of the Boys Volleyball program at Sachem High School (including Sachem East High School).
Coach Kropp is the owner of some mind-boggling coaching numbers. At the girls varsity level, he stands at 222 wins and 44 losses. At the boys varsity level, he boasts an astounding record of 366 wins and 115 losses. That is a combined record of 588 wins and 159 losses, which makes Coach Kropp New York State’s all-time winningest volleyball coach.
Former players Matthew DiStefano (left) and Matthew Rivera (right) present Coach Bill Kropp (center) with a plaque commemorating his induction to the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The list of championships won by teams coached by Kropp is long and distinguished. Coach Kropp is a true coaching legend. To truly appreciate his accomplishments, we recommend you read our post from April 2017 when he was presented with the Suffolk County Volleyball Lifetime Achievement award.
Additionally, Coach Kropp was also recently inducted as part of the 2017 class to the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
GIVING BACK
Matthew DiStefano and Bill Kropp have devoted a lifetime to the sport of volleyball. Academy Volleyball club is fortunate and honored to have such talented and accomplished coaches teaching the game to the boys in our program. Athletes who come through the Academy program benefit from the years of playing and coaching experience brought by both of these gentelemen.
Congratulations to Coach DiStefano and Coach Kropp on your induction to the Sachem Athletics Hall of Fame.
To read more about the Sachem Hall of Fame Class of 2017, click here.
To read more about the New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2017, click here.
DesLauriers Named Coach of the Year!
Academy Volleyball Club is proud to announce that it’s Head Director and Head Coach of the Girls 16 Red team, Kevin DesLauriers, has been named the 2017 East Coast Conference (ECC) Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year.
After finishing the previous season 6-25, the look of joy on the girls faces demonstrates the impact Coach DesLauriers has had on the Molloy program.
Earlier this year DesLauriers accepted a position as Molloy College’s Women’s Volleyball Head Coach (NCAA II). DesLauriers inherited a team that finished the previous year with an overall record of 6-25. He then proceeded to lead one of the most drastic turnarounds in ECC Conference history. In just his first year as Head Coach, DesLauriers guided the Molloy Lions to an overall record of 23-5, the top seed in the ECC playoff tournament, and the teams’ first-ever ECC Championship.
To drive home the significance of DesLauries’ accomplishment, this season was the Molloy Womens’ Volleyball first ever 20-win season – and first winning season since 1998.
And He’s Not Done Yet…
After winning the ECC Championship, Coach DesLauriers began to guide Molloy as they compete in the NCAA Eastern Regionals tournament – another first in Molloy history. On Thursday November 30th, the Molloy Lions defeated St. Anslem in a thrilling 5-set match. The Lions came back from an 0-2 set defecit to take the final three sets and advance in the NCAA tournament. Their next match is on Friday December 1, 2017 as the take on the No. 6 seed American International College in West Haven Connecticut.
Congratulations to Kevin DesLauriers on winning the 2017 ECC Coach of the Year Award – and best of luck in the NCAA tournament!
To read more about DesLauriers' accomplishment, please visit the American Volleyball Coaches Association website or the ECC website.
To follow Molloy's performance at the NCAA tournament, please visit Molloy's website.
UPDATE: Molloy NCAA bid ends as they lose in 5 sets to American International, read more here.
Academy Alumni, Jamie Smith, Wins 2017 MAAC Conference Rookie of the Year
Academy Volleyball is pleased to announce that former Academy athlete, Jamie Smith, has won the 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Rookie of the Year award.
Smith, now a Freshman Setter for the Iona College Gaels, won Rookie of the Week honors an amazing six times during the season. Additionally, Smith led all MAAC rookies in points with 375, was second in the conference among rookies with 306 kills, and was tied for second in kills per set at 2.51.
If you would like to read more about her accomplishment, please visit the Iona College website or on the MAAC website.
Congratulations to Jamie Smith on being named the 2017 MAAC Rookie of the Year in Women’s Volleyball
Connetquot Girls Win 2017 New York State Championship.
Academy Volleyball would like to congratulate the Connetquot High School Girls Varsity Volleyball team on winning the 2017 New York State Championship. For the Connetquot girls, this is their second New York State title in the last three years. Academy Volleyball would also like to congratulate and acknowledge it's players who are on the Connetquot roster, including:
- Mackenzie Cole
- Nicole Migliozzi
- Diana Migliozzi
- Cassandra Patsos
- Julia Patsos
- Mackenzie Taylor
- Kiarra Roth
- Taylor Konzen
- Daniella Balsano
- Alexandra Parillo
- Kendall Lillie
- Laurel Edwards
- Katherine Cuozzo
- Ryann Grable
- Skyla Schoppmeyer
ESM Boys Win 2017 Long Island Championship.
Academy Volleyball would also like to acknoledge the achievements of the Eastport South Manor High School Boys Varsity Volleyball team on winning the Long Island Championship. ESM High School won the Class B New York State Championship in 2016 and returned this year playing in Class A, winning the Suffolk County Championship and the Long Island Championship in that division. Academy Volleyball would like to congratulate and acknowledge it's current and incoming players on that roster, including:
- Will Kropp
- Tyler Plitt
- Brennen Brandow
- Quin Foglia
- Brandon Kelly
Brady Named News 12/Bethpage FCU Scholar Athlete
Academy Volleyball would like to congratulate Allie Brady on being selected as one of the News 12/Bethpage Federal Credit Union Scholar Athlete.
Allie is a long-time Academy Volleyball player and a senior at Smithtown East High School. Allie is a picture of perserverence as an ACL injury at the beginning of last season prevented her from playing the previous year. She has come back strong and is leading her team in kills.
In addition to her on-court achievements, Allie is also a piano player and 7-time participant in the New York State solo competition. She currently has a 4.0 GPA and is in the National Honor Society.
Please join us in congratulating Allie on this tremendous accomplishment.
To see the video on News 12, please click here.
Cole Named First-Team High School All-American
Academy Volleyball athlete and Connetquot High School senior, Mackenzie Cole, has been named a 2017 First-Team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
Out of over 620 nominations from around the United States, the AVCA selected a total of 150 athletes to be named All-Americans (and honorable mentions).
Cole's selection to the "First-Team" All-American is significant as they represent the top-24 high school volleyball players in the country. In addition to this honor, Cole and the other First-Team All-Americans, will play in the Under Armour Girls High School All-America Match.
The Under Armour All-America match is a national showcase game that is designed to feature the women's volleyball stars of tomorrow. The match will be played during the AVCA Convention at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mousouri on December 15th.
Academy Volleyball would like to congratulate Mackenzie Cole on this tremendous honor and recognize her for her hard work, committment, and positive attitude that it takes to achieve this distinction.
Fore more information on the AVCA All-Americans, click here.
To learn more about the Under Armor All-America match, click here.
The match will be streamed on FloVolleyball.
Beckmann Featured in Newsday.
Academy athlete and Harvard University commit, Julia Beckmann, was recently featured in a Newsday article. Julia is being recognized by Newsday for currently leading her high school team, Garden City, with 113 kills and to a 2-2 league record.
You can read the article here (paywall).
Congratulations to Julia on her sucess so far this high school season!