McShea Named an AVCA Thirty Under 30 Recipient
Charles O'Brien
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 5, 2018) – Stevens Institute of Technology first-year head women's volleyball coach
Annie McShea has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) prestigious
Thirty Under 30 list, the organization announced Thursday.
"I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to be mentored by great coaches, to be a part of some amazing programs, and to work with exceptional student-athletes, which has helped me learn and formed me into the coach that I am today," McShea said. "To be recognized among such an elite group of coaches is a testament to those people that have taken the time to teach and guide me along the way. I am extremely humbled to be honored by the AVCA and thankful for the administration at Stevens to be recognized for my hard work through their nomination."
McShea's Ducks compiled a 27-8 record and reached the Potsdam Regional semifinal. Stevens went a perfect 8-0 in Empire 8 Conference play and won the program's fifth E8 championship. Sophomores Julie Greco, Casey King and Shelby Stewart received AVCA Honorable Mention All-American honors and six players were recognized as All-E8 performers. Additionally, senior libero Sydni Horner became the sixth player in program history to earn College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District accolades.
"We congratulate Annie on the prestigious "Thirty Under 30" honor," commented Director of Athletics
Russell Rogers. "I am immensely proud of everything she has accomplished and am excited to work with her as she continues to build Stevens Women's Volleyball into one of the top NCAA Division III programs in the nation. Annie is the perfect fit for our program and serves as an outstanding mentor for our student-athletes."
"We are extremely excited to see Coach McShea recognized by the AVCA for her achievements, especially after her first year as a head coach," added Stewart, who served as one of three team captains in 2017 . "She brought new energy, knowledge and desire for improvements to our team over the past season and we can't wait to see where she takes us in the coming years."
The AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award was created in 2009 to honor up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport. To qualify for the award, nominees had to be 30 years or younger in 2017.
Of the 30 recipients, 11 are NCAA Division I women's coaches, five in high school/club and NCAA Division III, three in NCAA Division II, two from the NAIA and NCAA Division I-II men, and one from NCAA Division I Beach and Two-Year College Beach programs.
The 144 total nominations broke the program record.