2018 appalachian state volleyball

61 Pages·2017·3.2 MB·English

2018 APPALACHIAN STATE201 5V APOPALLACLHIEANY STABTE AVOLLLELYBALL
SEASON PREVIEW
C
O
A
C
H
E
S
A
N
D
S
T
A
F
F
www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL @APPSTATEVB 1
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
SEASON PREVIEW
F
F
A
T
S

D
N
A

S
E
H
C
A
O
C

2 @APPSTATEVB www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
T
A
INTRODUCTION HISTORY AND RECORDS
B
L
Table of Contents ................................................3 Head Coaches/Year-by-Year Records .........37 E

O
Quick Facts .............................................................4 Year-by-Year Statistics/Team Single-Season Records ...38
F

Media Information ..............................................5 Team Records ......................................................39 C
O
Regular Season Tournament History ............6 Individual Records .....................................40-42 N
T
All-Time Roster ...................................................43 E
N
MEET THE COACHES Year-by-Year Schedules/Results ............44-48 T
S
Head Coach Matt Ginipro .............................8-9 All-Time Series Records ...................................49
Associate Head Coach Chad Willis ..............10 Appalachian’s SoCon Era/Sun Belt Era 50-51
Assistant Coach Taylor Sherwin....................11 Hall of Fame ..................................................52-53
MEET THE MOUNTAINEERS ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION AND
2018 Roster/Team Breakdown ......................13 APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Sydney Hinds ......................................................14 Doug Gillin ...........................................................54
Sydney Farthring ...............................................15
Sheri Everts ..........................................................54
Emma Longley ....................................................16
Appalachian State University .................55-59
Melissa McMath .................................................17
Nike ........................................................................60
Jenna Talbert .......................................................18
2018 Schedule ..................................Back Cover
Lexi Kohut ............................................................19
Grace Morrison ...................................................20
Emma Reilly .........................................................21
Kara Spicer ...........................................................22
Becky Porter ........................................................23
Daryn Armstrong ...............................................24
Amya Giger ..........................................................25
Anna Kincaid .......................................................26
Grace Kinsch ........................................................27
Jana Owens .........................................................28
Holli Smith ...........................................................29
Victoria Wilform..................................................30
2017 IN REVIEW
2017 Results ........................................................33
2017 Statistics ..............................................34-35
CREDITS
The 2018 Appalachian State volleyball media guide is a publication of the Appalachian State
University strategic communications office.
DESIGN AND EDITOR: Andrew Korba
PHOTOGRAPHY: Tim Cowie, David Mayo and Rob Moore
www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL @APPSTATEVB 3
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
QUICK FACTS
A
I GENERAL INFORMATION TEAM INFORMATION
D
E
Name ...................................................Appalachian State University 2017 Overall Record ....................................................................12-20
M
Location ................................................................................Boone, N.C. 2017 Sun Belt Record/Finish................................6-10 (t-3rd, East)
/
S Founded ............................................................................................1899 Letterwinners Returning/Lost.......................................................9/6
T
C Enrollment ....................................................................................17,932 Starters Returning/Lost ...................................................................3/3
A Nickname ........................................................................Mountaineers Newcomers ..............................................................................................8
F
Colors ..............................................................................Black and Gold
K
C Affiliation ......................................................................NCAA Division I STARTERS RETURNING (3)
I
U Conference.................................................................................Sun Belt No. Player MP/MS K PCT. A SA D TB
Q Chancellor ................................................................Dr. Sheri N. Evans 6 Grace Morrison 30/20 152 .137 6 1 37 38
Faculty Representative ..................................................Rene Salinas 13 Kara Spicer 28/24 299 .295 1 25 63 80
Director of Athletics ..........................................................Doug Gillin 22 Lexi Kohut 32/22 351 .139 5 9 102 152
Sr. Assoc. AD/SWA ...............................................Brittney Whiteside
OTHER RETURNERS (6)
Stadium (Capacity) ............Holmes Convocation Center (8,325)
No. Player MP/MS K PCT. A SA D TB
3 Sydney Farthing 32/5 0 .000 20 29 265 0
COACHING STAFF
4 Emma Reilly 32/14 7 .263 48 32 406 2
Head Coach ...........................................Matt Ginipro, 12th season 5 Sydney Hinds 32/6 0 .000 13 5 204 0
Alma Mater .....................................................Virginia Tech, 1993 11 Emma Longley 10/5 107 .111 5 3 44 10
Record at App ...............................................164-178, 11 seasons 12 Jenna Talbert 10/1 27 -.048 0 0 7 3
Career Record ............................................................................Same 17 Melissa McMath 30/8 342 .145 2 2 46 47
Office Phone..............................................................828-262-7048
Office Fax ....................................................................828-262-7170
NEWCOMERS (8)
E-mail [e-mail]
No. Player Pos. Yr. Hometown
Associate Head Coach ......................................................Chad Willis
24 Daryn Armstrong MH Fr. Cary, N.C.
Alma Mater .................................................James Madison, 2005
1 Amya Giger MB Fr. Arden, N.C.
E-mail ..[e-mail] 7 Anna Kincaid MH Fr. Jamestown, N.C.
Assistant Coach ...........................................................Taylor Sherwin 15 Grace Kinsch DS Fr. Iron State, N.C.
Alma Mater ...........................................................Ohio State, 2015 8 Jana Owens S Fr. Overland Park, Kan.
E-mail [e-mail] 10 Becky Porter S Sr. Charlotte, N.C.
18 Holli Smith DS Fr. Raleigh, N.C.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS 2 Victoria Wilform LS Fr. Rock Hill, N.C.
Assistant SID/Volleyball Contact ...............................Andrew Korba
PROGRAM HISTORY (1981-Present)
Mobile...................................................................................828-457-1290
Email.........[e-mail] All-Time Record ............................................................672-517 (.565)
Asst. AD/Director of Sports Information .........................Joey Jones All-Time Sun Belt Record (2014-pres.) .......................32-36 (.471)
Associate Director of Sports Information ....................Bret Strelow All-Time SoCon Record (1972-2013) .....................275-169 (.619)
Assistant Director ............................................................Chase Colliton Sun Belt Regular Season Championships .....................................0
Assistant Director ......................................................Katie Mathewson SoCon Regular Season Championships ................8 (1984, 1986
Student Assistants ...........................................Tyler Hotz, Taylor Story 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004)
Mailing Address ....................................Box 32116 Boone, NC 28608 Sun Belt Tournament Championships ...........................................0
Overnight Address .............425 Jack Branch Dr. Boone, NC 28608 SoCon Tournament Championships ......................4 (1984, 1991
Sports Information Fax ...................................................828-262-6106 1993, 1994)
Website .........................................................www.appstatesports.com NCAA Tournament Appearances (Last) ............................2 (1994)
NCAA Tournament Record .................................................1-2 (.333)

4 @APPSTATEVB www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
Q
MEDIA CREDENTIALS MEDIA DIRECTORY
U
Please direct all credential requests to Andrew Korba Outlet Phone Fax IC
Associated Press [phone] [phone] K
by either phone [phone]) or e-mail (korbaam@
Asheville Citizen-Times [phone] [phone]
F
appstate.edu). Photo credentials will be issued only to Charlotte Observer [phone] [phone] A
accredited photographers or those individuals on special GHricekeonrsyb Doraoil yN Reewcso &rd R ecord ((383268)) 337232--74056120 ((383268)) 337234--78016779 CT
assignment. Please contact Andrew Korba for more The Appalachian [phone] [phone] S
Watauga Democrat [phone] [phone] /
information prior to the match. Wilkesboro Journal-Patriot [phone] [phone] M
Credentials can be picked up at the table at the Winston-Salem Journal [phone] [phone] E
Appalachian Sports Network [phone] [phone] D
northwest entrance of the Holmes Convocation Center WATA-AM/WZJS-FM [phone] [phone] I
A
WXIT-AM/WECR-FM [phone] [phone]
located under the main entrance.
WApp State-FM [phone] [phone]
Any additional questions regarding the program
ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT AREA CODE (828)
should be directed to Andrew Korba in the App State
Department Phone
sports information office at [phone]. Academics 262-2291
Athletics Director 262-7825
MEDIA PARKING Appalachian IMG Sports Marketing/Network 262-2018
Compliance 262-7843
Media parking for all home volleyball matches can Equipment Room 262-2266
Game Operations 262-8447
be found in the parking lot located directly across from Marketing/Promotions 262-6554
the ticket plaza of the Holmes Center or behind the JET Sports Information Office 262-7166
Sports Information Fax [phone]
building off Rivers Street Holmes Convocation Center 262-7890
Sports Medicine 262-6265
Strength & Conditioning 262-2529
RADIO
Student-Athlete Development 262-7825
Ticket Office 262-2079
Access to phone lines for radio and/or internet
Volleyball Office 262-8581
No. Player Pos. Yr. Hometown
broadcasts of matches at the Holmes Convocation Center Yosef Club 262-3108
24 Daryn Armstrong MH Fr. Cary, N.C.
is available upon request. Please file requests by e-mailing
1 Amya Giger MB Fr. Arden, N.C.
7 Anna Kincaid MH Fr. Jamestown, N.C. or calling Andrew Korba at least a week prior to the match. 2018 VOLLEYBA LL BROADCASTS
15 Grace Kinsch DS Fr. Iron State, N.C.
8 Jana Owens S Fr. Overland Park, Kan. INTERVIEW REQUESTS
10 Becky Porter S Sr. Charlotte, N.C. Interviews will be available following the match after a Date Opponent Time
18 Holli Smith DS Fr. Raleigh, N.C.
10-minute cooling-off period. Media wishing to interview Aug. 31 vs. Davidson 7:30 p.m.
2 Victoria Wilform LS Fr. Rock Hill, N.C.
the coaches or any players other than on match days are Sept. 1 vs. Clemson 12:30 p.m.
required to set up interviews with the sports information Sept. 1 vs. Mississippi State 7 p.m.
office. Sept. 28 vs. UL Monroe* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 vs. Louisiana* 12:30 p.m.
STATISTICAL SERVICES
Oct. 5 vs. Little Rock* 6:30 p.m.
Appalachian State University uses The Automated Oct. 7 vs. Arkansas State* 12:30 p.m.
Scorebook computer program to produce the official Oct. 19 vs. Coastal Carolina* 5 p.m.
box scores and statistical packages for all matches. These Oct. 26 vs. South Alabama* 6:30 p.m.
materials will be sent via e-mail to the sports information Oct. 28 vs. Troy* 12:30 p.m.
offices of visiting opponents as well as any media outlets Nov. 2 vs. Georgia State* 6:30 p.m.
requested by the opponent’s sports information contact. Nov. 4 vs. Georgia Southern* 12:30 p.m.
If the visiting SID will not be accompanying the team to
Boone, arrangements for the dissemination of information * - Sun Belt match
can be made by contacting Andrew Korba. Game-by- Bold indicates ESPN3 broadcast
game statistics will be provided to all media members and
home and visiting coaches at the conclusion of each set
APP VISION/ESPN3 STREAMING
and match.
Mountaineer volleyball enters its ninth season of live video
MOUNTAINEERS ONLINE streaming on www.appstatesports.com as App State TV will
The most up-to-date information on the Appalachian webcast all regular season home matches live from the Holmes
State volleyball team and all 20 athletics programs on the Center. The matches can be seen live around the world at www.
world wide web at www.appstatesports.com, the home appstatesports.com and will also stream live on ESPN3.
for App State athletics on the web. Along with post-match
recaps, live statistics, exclusive photos and broadcasts for
select home matches can be found on the web site.
www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL @APPSTATEVB 5
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Y
1981 1995 2010
R
O East Tenn. State Tourn. (Johnson City, Tenn.), 5-0 South Carolina Tournament (Columbia, S.C.), 0-3 High Point Tournament (High Point, N.C.), 3-0
T Tennessee Tournament (Knoxville, Tenn.), 3-2 Virginia Tech Tournament (Blacksburg, Va.), 0-2 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 2-1
S Marshall Tournament (Huntington, W.Va.), 4-0 Akron Invitational (Akron, Ohio), 2-1
HI Tar Heel Volleyball Classic (Chapel, Hill, N.C.), 1-2
1982 1996
T
East Tenn. State Tourn. (Johnson City, Tenn.), 7-0 Wake Forest Tournament (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 2-1 2011
N
E Virginia Tech Tournament (Blacksburg, Va.), 1-1 Clemson Tournament (Clemson, S.C.), 0-3 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 2-1
M Lenoir-Rhyne Tournament (Hickory, N.C.), 2-0 Charlotte Tournament (Charlotte, N.C.), 1-3 Kansas Invitational (Lawrence, Kan.), 1-2
Marshall Tournament (Huntington, W.Va.), 5-0 Morehead State Invitational (Morehead, Ky.) 1-2
A
N 1997 James Madison Classic (Harrisonburg, Va.) 2-1
R 1983 Wake Forest Tournament (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 0-2
U South Carolina Tournament (Columbia, S.C.), 0-2 Coastal Carolina Tournament (Conway, S.C.), 3-1 2012
O East Tenn. State Tourn. (Johnson City, Tenn.), 4-1 Charlotte Tournament (Charlotte, N.C.), 1-2 JMU Days Inn Invitational (Harrisonburg, Va.), 0-3
T Eastern Kentucky Tournament (Richmond, Ky.), 0-3 Lipscomb Invitational (Nashville, Tenn.), 1-2
1998 VCU/Third Degree Sportswear Invitational (Richmond, Va.), 1-2
1984 Wake Forest Tournament (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 0-4 Wake Forest Black & Gold Challenge (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 1-2
Duke Tournament (Durham, N.C.), 2-1
Winthrop Tournament (Rock Hill, S.C.), 3-1 2000 2013
Virginia Tech Hokie Classic (Blacksburg, Va.), 1-3 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 3-0
1985 Auburn War Eagle Invitational (Auburn, Ala.), 1-2 NC State Tournament (Raleigh, N.C.), 2-1
USC-Spartanburg Tourn. (Spartanburg, S.C.), 6-0 Baylor Tournament (Waco, Texas), 0-3
Wake Forest Tournament (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 3-2 2001 App State Black & Gold Challenge (Boone, N.C.), 2-1
East Tenn. State Tourn. (Johnson City, Tenn.), 3-2 UCF Fall Invitational (Orlando, Fla.), 0-3
Winthrop Tournament (Rock Hill, S.C.), 5-0 Big Orange Bash (Clemson, S.C.), 0-3 2014
Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 3-0
1986 Louisville Tournament (Louisville, Ky.), 3-0
East Tenn. State Tourn. (Johnson City, Tenn.), 2-4 2002 Black and Gold Challenge (Boone, N.C.), 3-0
Winthrop Tournament (Rock Hill, S.C.), 4-1 High Point Invitational (High Point, N.C.), 3-0
James Madison Tourn. (Harrisonburg, Va.), 4-0 Memphis Tournament (Memphis, Tenn.), 1-2 2015
Hokie Classic (Blacksburg, Va.), 0-3 Big Orange Bash (Clemson, S.C.), 2-1
1987 Cavalier Classic (Charlottesville, Va.), 1-2
UT-Martin Tournament (Martin, Tenn.), 5-1 2003 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 3-0
UNC Wilmington Tourn. (Wilmington, N.C.), 3-0 High Point Invitational (High Point, N.C.), 1-2
James Madison Tourn. (Harrisonburg, Va.), 0-3 Xavier Tournament (Cincinnati, Ohio), 1-2 2016
Butler Tournament (Indianapolis, Ind.), 0-3 Virginia Tech Tournament (Blacksburg, Va.), 1-2
1988 Middle Tenn. St. Tourn. (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 0-3 Black and Gold Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 0-3
All Carolina Classic (Chapel Hill, N.C.), 1-2 Eagle Challenge (Morehead, Ky.), 1-2
Charlotte Tournament (Charlotte, N.C.), 1-3 2004 Scenic City Showdown (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 0-3
Central Florida Tournament (Orlando, Fla.), 1-3 Virginia Tech Tournament (Blacksburg, Va.), 2-1
Charlotte Classic (Charlotte, N.C.), 3-1 2017
1989 TCU Adidas Invitational (Fort Worth, Texas), 0-3 Springhill Suites Mayfaire Inv. (Wilmington, N.C.), 2-1
All Carolina Classic (Chapel Hill, N.C.), 1-3 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 0-3
Jacksonville Tournament (Jacksonville, Fla.), 2-2 2005 UND Classic (Grand Forks, N.D.), 1-1
Broyhill Inn Appalachian Classic (Boone, N.C.), 2-1 NDSU Invitational (Fargo, N.C.), 1-1
1990 USF Best Western Invite (Jacksonville, Fla.), 1-2 Charleston Invitational (Charleston, S.C.), 1-2
App State Piccadelli Tournament (Boone, N.C.), 3-0 UVA Jefferson Cup Tourn. (Charlottesville, Va.), 1-2 Sun Belt Tournament (Jonesboro, Ark.), 1-1
Charlotte Tournament (Charlotte, N.C.), 3-1
UNC Greensboro Tournament (Greensboro, N.C.), 2-1 2006
Mast General Store Appalachian Classic (Boone, N.C.), 2-1
1991 UNF Labor Day Classic (Jacksonville, Fla.), 1-2
App State Piccadelli Tournament (Boone, N.C.), 2-1 Hokie Invite (Blacksburg, Va.), 2-1
Winthrop Tournament (Rock Hill, S.C.), 1-1 Lady Topper Invitational (Bowling Green, Ky.), 1-2
Clemson Tournament (Clemson, S.C.), 2-2
Navy Tournament (Annapolis, Md.), 0-2 2007
App State Season Finale Tournament (Boone, N.C.), 0-3 Charlotte Invitational (Charlotte, N.C.), 1-2
Comcast Lady Vol Classic (Knoxville, Tenn.), 0-3
1992 South Carolina Tournament (Columbia, S.C.), 1-2
Coastal Carolina Tournament (Conway, S.C.), 3-1 Clemson Classic (Clemson, S.C.), 1-2
Clemson Tournament (Clemson, S.C.), 2-1
Navy Tournament (Annapolis, Md.), 4-1 2008
UNC Greensboro Tournament (Greensboro, N.C.), Tribe Invitational (Williamsburg, Va.), 0-3
3-0 MTSU Blue Raider Bash (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 0-3
Jefferson Cup (Charlottesville, Va.), 1-2
1993 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 2-1
Virginia Tech Tournament (Blacksburg, Va.), 1-2
Davidson Tournament (Davidson, N.C.), 4-0 2009
South Carolina Tournament (Columbia, S.C.), 1-2 Four Points Titan Classic (Fullerton, Calif.), 1-2
Jacksonville Tournament (Jacksonville, Fla.), 4-1 Appalachian Invitational (Boone, N.C.), 1-2
Hilton Garden Inn Invitational (Rock Hill, S.C.), 1-2
1994 Black and Gold Challenge (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 0-3
UNC Asheville Tournament (Asheville, N.C.), 3-0
Clemson Tournament (Clemson, S.C.), 2-2
UNC Wilmington Tourn. (Wilmington, N.C.), 3-0

6 @APPSTATEVB www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
SEASON PREVIEW
C
O
A
C
H
E
S

A
N
D

S
T
A
F
F
MEET THE
COACHES
www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL @APPSTATEVB 7
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
F MATT GINIPRO
F
A
T
S
HEAD COACH
D
N
A 12TH SEASON

S
E VIRGINIA TECH, 1993
H
C
A Matt Ginipro became the eighth volleyball head coach in Appalachian State University
O
volleyball history on June 2, 2007 and has seen a vast amount of success in his 11 seasons
C
in the High Country, including a successful transition to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014.
During his tenure with the Mountaineers, he has posted 164 victories, including 60 in Southern Conference
play and 32 in three Sun Belt Conference seasons – Ginipro has won the second-highest number of matches in
Appalachian State coaching history.
In 2017, the Mountaineers tripled their win total from the season before, recording 12 wins. Ginipro saw Melissa
McMath earn Second Team All-Sun Belt honors, while seeing Ashlyn Brown earn Sun Belt Setter of the Week honors
twice, Kara Spicer garner in Sun Belt Freshman of the Week accolades twice and Lexi Kohut win Sun Belt Freshman
of the Week once.
Ginipro has seen success in recruiting as well. For the second straight season, his class featured by PrepVolleyball.
com. The 2018 recruiting class, which featured six newcomers, was ranked in the “High Honorable Mention”
category with 44 other schools. In 2017, his class was ranked in the “Highest Honorable Mention” by the website
with 24 other programs.
Graduating four highly contributing seniors combined with being decimated by injuries plagued the Mountaineers’
2016 season from the get-go, but that didn’t stop a rising freshman and sophomore class from beginning to stamp
their mark on the program. Under Ginipro, freshman Emma Longley earned multiple Sun Belt Player of the Week
honors and posted two 30+ kill matches, including a program record 37 kills against Ball State.
Coming off of a stellar 2014 season, Ginipro guided the Mountaineers to an ultra-impressive 2015 campaign that
saw the program soar to 22 victories and finish second in league play during the regular season, including a trip to
the Sun Belt tournament title match against Arkansas State. Throughout the year, App State matched its program
record 16-match winning streak, finishing with 22 victories, including 13 in conference play.
COACHING EXPERIENCE: After posting 21 wins in 2014, the back-to-back 20-win
2007- present Appalachian State (Head Coach) campaigns were the first since the 2005-06 seasons. Taking
2000-2007 Virginia (Assoc. Head Coach/Asst.)
1999 Mississippi (Assistant) the program to new heights in 2015 also brought many
1996-1999 Virginia Tech (Assistant)
individual accomplishments. Senior outside hitter Jess Keller
EDUCATION:
M.S. in Counselor Education Radford University, 1996 was named Sun Belt Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year,
B.S. in Psychology Virginia Tech, 1993 (minor in sociology) while senior Emily Corrigan and junior Ashton Gregory -
Smithtown High School West, 1988
along with Keller - earned first team all-conference honors.
Record at Appalachian
Year Win Loss Pct. Corrigan will finish second all time in career kills with 1,399
2007 19 14 .575
and Keller ended up cracking the top ten and sits 10th with
2008 7 25 .218
2009 14 17 .451 1,210. Senior setter Paige Brown recorded a career-high 65
2010 18 12 .600
assists in her final match and ended her career as the all
2011 21 11 .656
2012 7 23 .233 time program assist leader with 4,478. Senior libero Meghan
2013 19 13 .594 Mahoney also finished her career atop the Mountaineer
2014 21 10 .677
2015 22 8 .733 record books and finished second in career digs with 1,855.
2016 4 25 .138
2017 12 20 .375
Total 164 178 .480 The 2014 season was a historic one for the Mountaineers.
App state opened the season with 13 consecutive victories,
HONORS AND AWARDS: 2007 Southern Conference Coach of the Year

8 @APPSTATEVB www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
including a top-25 win over a 24th ranked Louisville Cardinal opponent en route to a tournament win at Louisville. C
O
Appalachian finished 21-10 overall, it’s best finish under Ginipro, while also finished 11-9 in the Sun Belt Conference. A
C
Setter Paige Brown won Sun Belt Setter of the Year after earning Setter of the Week six times. Emily Corrigan earned a
H
first-team all-conference nod after leading the Apps in kills and earning Offensive Player of the Week three times. E
S

A
The Mountaineers reached the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament three times during Ginipro’s tenure, N
D
most recently in 2013 (the program’s last in the SoCon) when the squad finished 19-13 and 9-7 in league play. He has

S
coached seven players to all-SoCon honors and saw one of his student-athletes, Brittany Zahn, named as the 2007 T
A
SoCon Player of the Year. F
F
In just his first year at the helm, Ginipro earned SoCon Coach of the Year honors for guiding his squad to a 14-4 league
record and an appearance in the semifinal round of the 2007 SoCon Tournament.
During his time in the High Country, Ginipro has seen two of his players set school records. Dianna Thomas ended her
career as Appalachian’s all-time kills leader in 2007 while Courtney Rhein broke the school record for digs during the
2012 season.
His program’s efforts have not gone unnoticed on the recruiting trail either, as his 2010, 2011 and 2013 recruiting
classes were ranked among one of the nation’s best, earning an honorable mention among top recruiting classes in
the country from PrepVolleyball.com.
In addition to his team’s success on the court, Ginipro’s squads have been highly successful in the classroom. During
his tenure, Ginipro has seen two players (Dianna Thomas and Maggie Seeds) earn first-team Capital One/CoSIDA
academic all-district honors.
Ginipro arrived in Boone with 12 years of collegiate coaching experience under his belt after serving as the first
assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Virginia for six years. In March of 2007, he was promoted
to associate head coach at UVa. At Virginia, Ginipro was responsible for coaching the Cavaliers’ setters and outside
hitters and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator. During his six seasons at UVA, the team went a combined
105-82 and posted 19-plus win seasons in his final four years. His 2006 squad finished second in the ACC with a school-
record 16 conference wins at 16-6 and posted a 23-8 overall record as Ginipro’s 2007 recruiting class earned Highest
Honorable Mention ranking from PrepVolleyball.com.
www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL @APPSTATEVB 9
2018 APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL
F
F CHAD WILLIS
A
T
S

D ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
N
A
SIXTH SEASON

S
E
H JAMES MADISON, 2005
C
A
Chad Willis enters his sixth season on head coach Matt Ginipro’s staff. Willis joined the Appalachian
O
C State volleyball coaching staff as the associate head coach following the 2012 season after
spending eight years at Wake Forest.
On the court Willis is primarily in charge of training the outside and middle hitters and
coordinating the Mountaineer offense. Willis also serves as Appalachian’s recruiting coordinator. With a solid network of
contacts across the country, the Mountaineers have landed talented student-athletes, including the 2017 and 2018 class
being tabbed by PrepVolleyball as highest honorable mention for the nation’s top recruiting class.
In his first six seasons, he has guided the Mountaineers to 1,500 or more kills in four, including 1,675 kills in 2017.
Willis was instrumental in a successful transition for Appalachian into the Sun Belt Conference, helping to guide the
Mountaineers to a 21-10 record in 2014, including the stellar 22-8 campaign in 2015. 
For the 2015 season, the Black and Gold led the conference in kills per set (14.66), assists per set (13.76) and posted
the highest team hitting percentage (.272). Paige Brown, Emily Corrigan, Jess Keller and Ashton Gregory wrapped up
tremendous offensive seasons by being named as all-conference selections, including Keller being named the Sun Belt
Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year. Keller led the league with 507 kills and 4.57 kills per set en route to her Player of the
Year honor. She also cracked the top ten list of career kills and ranks ninth with 1,210. Corrigan finished the season with 411
kills and now ranks second all-time on the career kills list with 1,399. 
Under Willis’ tutelage, Brown finished up her career as one of the best to ever wear the Black and Gold, amassing a program
record 4,478 assists.
In 2014, the team led the conference in kills per set (13.72), assists per set (13.18) and posted the fourth highest team
hitting percentage (.217). Emily Corrigan, Paige Brown and Lauren Gray capped off great offensive seasons by being voted
to the Sun Belt all-conference team. Willis guided Brown to a stellar season that saw the rising senior finish the year atop
the conference and third in the nation with 11.72 assists per set. Brown also set a conference record being named Sun Belt
Setter of the Week an unprecedented six times en route to her earning Sun Belt Setter of the Year. 
In 2013, Appalachian capped off a 19-13 campaign and finished fourth in the Southern Conference in kills per set (13.39),
assists per set (12.53) and team hitting percentage (.233). Paige Brown tallied 11.22 assists per set and finished the season
ranked second in the SoCon in assists.
Willis came to the High Country after spending eight seasons in nearby Winston-Salem where he served as an assistant
coach for the Demon Deacons before being promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2012 campaign. In addition,
Willis served as the team’s recruiting coordinator and assistant camp director.
During his time at Wake Forest, Willis was primarily responsible for coaching the setters and coordinating offensive systems
and coached two All-ACC setters in Erin Borhart and Kelsey Jones. In addition, he was part of a staff that led the Demon
Deacons to a school-record-tying 10 ACC wins in 2005.
Prior to his time at Wake Forest, Willis spent one season as an assistant coach at Southern Conference rival Elon, where he
helped lead the Phoenix to a 19-14 record and coached second team All-SoCon outside hitter Emily Hayes.
Willis has also served as the head coach for women’s club volleyball at James Madison while spending two seasons as a
student assistant coach for the Dukes varsity women’s program, where he was part of a staff that led JMU to a Colonial
Athletic Association title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000.
A 2005 graduate of James Madison, Willis was the starting setter for JMU’s men’s club volleyball team where he helped lead
his squad to three top-10 finishes at the national tournament while earning All-America honors twice.
Chad resides in Boone with his wife, Caroline (former libero at North Carolina) and their two children, Aidan (6) and Maddie
Grace (3).

10 @APPSTATEVB www. APPSTATESPORTS.cOm/VOLLEYBALL