Bismarck, N.D.—University of Mary Athletic Director Roger Thomas announced today the selection of Melissa Chaplin as the new head coach for the Marauders volleyball team. Chaplin brings 18 years of coaching at a variety of levels and four years of collegiate playing experience to the program.
 
"We believe that Melissa Chaplin will breathe new life into the Marauders volleyball program," said Thomas. "As a player, Melissa has competed overseas and at the top NCAA Division I levels. She has collegiate experience as both a head and assistant coach and has run a very successful youth volleyball program. With her diverse background and broad knowledge base, Melissa will bring a lot of energy and excitement to the team."
  Fans and media members will have their first opportunity to meet Chaplin as she is introduced at the Coaches Luncheon on Friday at noon at the Elks Club. The lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. with the program to begin shortly after. The cost for the event is $7.

From 2010-2013, Chaplin was owner and director of a highly successful volleyball club in Florida. Chaplin managed a staff of 17 coaches, including two former Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) players, as she grew the club from 30 athletes to 450 in just three years. Working with boys and girls ages 10-18, Chaplin oversaw two top-5 nationally ranked AAU teams. Chaplin most recently worked as the sports facility manager at a country club in Florida.

Chaplin's last collegiate coaching assignment was as the head coach at NCAA Division II St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 2009-10. While directing the Lady Knights, Chaplin led the team to a conference tournament appearance and coached a member of the Conference Carolina all-conference team.
 
Prior to St. Andrews, Chaplin laid the groundwork for NAIA Ave Maria University's start-up volleyball program. Beginning just months prior to the start of the 2008 season, Chaplin successfully recruited 18 players and led the Gyrenes to eight wins in their inaugural campaign. Chaplin also served as sports information director at Ave Maria.
 
Chaplin began her career collegiate volleyball career at Iowa State University where she earned a spot as a varsity starter and was named honorable mention academic All-American. After two seasons at ISU, Chaplin transferred to the University of Iowa for the 1999 season, also earning a spot as a varsity starter.
 
Chaplin began her coaching career in 2002 as an assistant at NCAA Division III Cornell College in Iowa. After one season, Chaplin moved on to DIII Iowa Wesleyan College where she became assistant volleyball coach and sports information director. Working at Iowa Wesleyan from 2003-2005, Chaplin coached three All-Americans, won two conference championships and helped lead the Tigers to a national tournament appearance.
 
After a successful stint at Iowa Wesleyan, Chaplin moved to the sunshine state to become the sports information director at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she maintained the website and handled eight varsity teams. While at FGCU, Chaplin suited up for her final season of eligibility. As a starter for the Eagles, Chaplin helped lead the Eagles to a 27-4 record and an NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearance in 2005.
 
After a year at Florida Gulf Coast, Chaplin continued her playing career as a member of the Bring it USA Europe Tour in 2008, before assuming a position as a marketing director in the private sector.

 
Chaplin is excited to join the Marauders explaining that, "It is an honor to be chosen for this opportunity to coach this team of outstanding young ladies at the University of Mary. Our goal is to take the core of this team this spring and work hard in developing a faster offensive style of play and a more in-depth defensive strategy with the intention to show the conference we are no longer the underdogs. With a little bit of confidence for our existing team, combined with our 2014, recruiting class it will carry us to a whole new level."
 
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Chaplin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in art, with an emphasis in graphic design from the University of Iowa in 2002. Chaplin replaces Steve Novacek, who stepped down after four years at helm. Already having assumed her position, Chaplin can be reached via email at machaplin@umary.edu. 

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