FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2016
COLCHESTER, Vt. - Long-time local volleyball coach Jesse Carpenter was named head coach of the Saint Michael's College women's volleyball program, Associate Director of Athletics Tacy Lincoln announced on Tuesday.
He succeeds Kelly Garthwait Mahl '10, who resigned in April after three seasons. Carpenter was a volunteer assistant coach last fall on Mahl's staff, as the Purple Knights had one of the most successful seasons in program history.
"I'm looking forward to again working with this team, which has great team chemistry and a camaraderie that I haven't experienced with other teams I've previously coached," said Carpenter. "For me, this upcoming season is a chance to take an already successful team, with tremendous potential, and continue to make them even more competitive than last year. In a conference as competitive as the Northeast-10 Conference that's no easy task."
Saint Michael's went 12-12 during the 2015 season, with its per-set averages for kills (11.5), assists (10.7) and blocks (3.0) each among the top three figures the Purple Knights have produced over the past 20 years. Saint Michael's remained in contention for its first postseason since 1995 until the final weekend of the regular season. In addition to coaching in 2015, Carpenter volunteered with the Saint Michael's program between 2002 and 2004, including as the Purple Knights picked up a dozen victories in 2003.
"While serving as assistant coach, Jesse became very familiar with the demands and challenges required to lead the Saint Michael's College women's volleyball program," said Lincoln. "I am enthused about the direction of the program and am confident that Jesse has the knowledge, experience and expertise to bring the program to the next level."
Carpenter was also an assistant coach for the University of Vermont women's volleyball team for three years before its dissolution following the 2001 season. In both of his college positions, Carpenter helped create and implement practice plans, as well as identify areas for in-match adjustments as an integral member of small coaching staffs. He was also a Green Mountain Volleyball clinic instructor for five years.
"I think my biggest challenge this coming season will be instilling the confidence this team needs to win big games," said the new coach. "We went point-for-point with the best teams in this conference last year, but struggled with finishing strong. Our players need to understand that we went point-for-point because we're that good. We only graduated two seniors and have the core of our team returning, with a deep bench and some promising first-year players coming on board. Continuing to be strong in our conference is a very realistic goal, and the team needs to understand that and revel in that thought."
As a player, Carpenter was a standout outside and middle hitter for UVM's men's club team, being named most valuable player and an all-star in the New England Collegiate Volleyball League at various times in his career. Since graduating in 2001 with a degree in sports nutrition, Carpenter has continued playing semiprofessionally, including helping a Vermont all-star team take second place at the Northeast Regional Championship.
Reporting for this release provided by the Saint Michael's athletic communications staff
ABOUT THE NORTHEAST-10
The Northeast-10 Conference is an association of 15 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 6,500 student-athletes.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
