While the heart of the volleyball season lies six months away, the Dartmouth volleyball program is making moves that will influence its chances to win the Ivy League title. This week, the Dartmouth Athletic Department hired assistant coach Nana Allison-Brewer to fill the void left by the departure of associate head coach Kristen Shockley at the end of Winter term.
Shockley accepted the assistant coaching position at Boston College in March.
In joining head coach Ann Marie Larese's staff, Allison-Brewer leaves behind her position as volunteer assistant coach of the University of Arizona Wildcats, a team that has qualified for the NCAA tournament every year since 1996. In 2005, the Wildcats placed second in the ultra-competitive Pac-10 with a record of 25-6.
A product of West Coast volleyball, Allison-Brewer graduated from the University of New Mexico with her name in the record books as the Lobo's eighth-most prolific server and defender, and tops all New Mexico volleyball players in games played.
Two-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week outside hitter Jess Thomas '09 is excited by the prospect of having a second full-time coach on board.
"Having two full-time coaches will allow for more player-coach interaction and instruction," she said. "It will provide more individual opportunity and allow us to be able to focus on specific skills during practice."
Specifically, Thomas looks forward to the technical improvements that coach Allison-Brewer has to offer the players individually.
"During the interview process she led a drill at our practice. She really focused on breaking skills down, especially serve receive, a fundamental skill in the game," Thomas said. "I think she is extremely knowledgeable and brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the court."
Allison-Brewer will add her winning experience to a Dartmouth program that has not flourished in recent years, but made progress last season. The Big Green (12-12, 5-9 Ivy) finished sixth in the Ivy League in 2005, posting its first .500 season since 1999.
The team only graduates one senior in Sarah Nadler '06, while returning talented outside hitters Thomas and Sandy Barbut '08, setter Katie Hirsch '08, as well as a strong corps of passers led by Cecily Kaya '09.
With the influence of the returning players and the added know-how of coach Allison-Brewer, the team is generating momentum for next season.
Thomas thinks the team will benefit from the coaching change.
"It is always exciting to get a new point of view and an individual with varied experiences," she said. "The team is really looking forward to next season; it's going to be a good one."
