Feb. 27, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky assistant coach Lauren Sauer has been tabbed as one of the 30 best coaches under the age of 30 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association it was announced.
The AVCA announced its first annual 30 Under 30 Awards which was created to honor 30 of the up-and-coming volleyball coaches under 30 years old in the sport at all levels of the game. Although anyone could make a nomination, the nominee had to be an AVCA member, and had to be younger than 30 years old in 2009. The list of winners was announced in the February/March edition of Coaching ! Volleyball.
“Reading the biographies, accomplishments and philosophies of this group of award winners gives me confidence about the future of our game,” said Kathy DeBoer, AVCA Executive Director. “Our rising stars are diverse, hard-working and passionate about teaching – good news for volleyball.”
Of the 30 recipients, head coach and assistant coach numbers were split 15-15. Ten are NCAA Division I women’s coaches, five are NCAA Division II women’s coaches, five are High School girls’ coaches, four are women’s coaches in NCAA Division III, three are from Two-Year Colleges, two coach Division I-II men, and there was one NAIA women’s coach. Two of the recipients double-up as club coaches.
Sauer serves as UK’s recruiting coordinator and is involved in all facets of Kentucky’s game preparation and practices.
“This is a great recognition for Lauren,” said UK head coach Craig Skinner. “She is a motivated, young coach who is constantly working to improve herself in the profession. Kentucky volleyball is lucky to have Lauren on its sideline.”
Sauer came to Kentucky after spending a season as a member of the Universidad de Almeria volleyball team in Almeria, Spain. A four-year starter and All-America selection for Georgia Tech she graduated in the spring of 2005.
As a member of UK’s staff Sauer was been helped lead NCAA tournament participants in back-to-back seasons. In 2009, the Wildcats capped the year with a 26-6 overall record and a 17-3 clip in SEC play en route to finishing second in the conference standings. It was the best finish in 18 years. Kentucky appeared in its school-record fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament while two players–Queen Nzenwa and Sarah Rumely–earned All-America status.
Complete coverage of the UK volleyball team can be found at the Wildcats’ official homepage, UKathletics.com.
