AVCA NCCAA National Coach of the Year
Angie Taulborg - Grace University
Blair Penner - California Baptist University
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 7, 2011) - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce that Grace University head women's volleyball coach Angie Taulborg has been selected as the 2011 AVCA NCCAA National Coach of the Year, while California Baptist University assistant women's volleyball coach Blair Penner has been named the organization's AVCA NCCAA National Assistant Coach of the Year.
Taulborg, in her ninth season at the helm, led the Royals to a No. 4 seed in the NJCCAA Division II Tournament where they went on to defeat Providence University and West Baptist College. They were consistent all year, never losing consecutive matches at any point of the season.
Under Taulborg's guidance, two of her players were named an NCCAA All-American, including Laura Ones who was named an NCCAA AVCA Division II All-American. She demanded excellence off the court as well, with six of her players being scholar athletes. For her efforts as a head coach, the NCCAA tabbed her the Division II National Coach of the Year.
In her nine seasons as head coach, she has led the Royals to a National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship, a second place finish, and three final four appearances. She has been named the NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year five times and the National Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2011. Taulborg's leadership produced 17 NCCAA All-Americans, including a two-time Player of the Year. She currently serves as the National Chair of NCCAA Div. II Volleyball.
Penner joins the coaching ranks just a year after a stellar five-year career playing for the same university. It is that experience as a player that allows him to communicate to his student-athletes in a manner which few coaches can. He played a key role in the Lancers NCCAA National Championship with a win over Trinity Christian College. Two of his players were named to the All-Tournament Team, three as AVCA NCCAA Division I All-Americans and two scholar athletes. He certainly has a great opportunity to work for one of the top coaches in the game, as Lancers Head Coach Ryan McGuyre was named NCCAA Division I Coach of the Year.
The AVCA will formally present both coaches their awards at the 2011 Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon in San Antonio, Texas. on Thursday, December 15. The luncheon is held in conjunction with the 2011 AVCA Annual Convention.