Siena Heights women's volleyball assistant coach Corey Ness was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Mideast Region Assistant Coach of the Year when the organization announced the all-regional award recipients for the 2021 season. Accompanying Ness on the list of awards was sophomore setter Aubrey Bates who was named to the Mideast All-Region team, and senior hitter Aline Marinelo, who was on the Mideast All-Region honorable mention list.
"Corey has been an important part of every facet of our program during the past year," said Saints head women's volleyball coach Kim Berrington. "She has been my right hand when I needed it, and she has been the leader of our program when I had to step away. She has made sure that the players had everything they needed to be successful. Her commitment to our success was unheralded!"
Coach Ness has been a member of the Siena Heights women's volleyball coaching staff for two years. She is the first coach at SHU to receive the assistant coach of the year award since its inception in the 2017 season.
"I was completely caught off guard with the AVCA Region Assistant Coach of the Year," said Corey Ness. "This group of women makes what I do and who I am as a coach seem effortless. I'm so thankful for Coach Berrington and Siena Heights University for allowing me to be here and truly do what I love, which is helping these athletes grow as young women on and off the court."
Along with the coaching awards, the AVCA announced the all-region teams. Bates was named to the Mideast All-Region team and six other student-athletes from Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) teams. Bates had a phenomenal sophomore campaign that saw her hit the 1,000-career assist mark in early October. She finished the regular season 28th in the NAIA in assists/set with 9.91. She was awarded the WHAC Setter of the Year last month when the conference awards were announced.
Marinelo was listed on the all-region honorable mention list. Marinelo finished the regular season with a league-leading .328 hitting percentage (31st NAIA). She finished third on the team in kills with 188 while also being a force at the net with 58 total blocks (13/45). She earned a spot on the first-team All-WHAC for her efforts in 2021.
Click here for a complete list of all AVCA All-Region Award recipients.
