RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Manhattan College director of athletics Bob Byrnes announced the hiring of Jolie Ward as head women's volleyball coach today. Ward comes to Riverdale after serving five seasons as head coach of Eastern Connecticut State University where she helped guide the Warriors to three Little East Conference championships and three NCAA tournament appearances. In total, Ward brings 10 years of collegiate head coaching experience to the Manhattan volleyball program.
“We feel very fortunate to be able to hire someone with Jolie's experience,” stated Byrnes. “She is passionate about her sport; works very hard and wants to get our program to the next level shortly.”
Ward, a native of Bellport, N.Y., compiled a 104-84 [.553] record over her five years at Eastern Connecticut State University. She became just the second coach in program history to exceed the 100-win plateau.
“I am very excited to be taking over the Manhattan program,” Ward explained. “It is a great opportunity to work with high quality players that will help propel Manhattan volleyball to the top of the conference. We have a great core of student-athletes here that this program can build upon. I believe our hard work and focus will lead this program to a MAAC Championship.”
Ward guided the Warriors to three consecutive Little East Conference Tournament championships earning automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She also produced three regular season titles (2004, 2005 and 2006).
At the conclusion of the 2005 season, Ward was named Little East Conference Coach of the Year. She posted a 28-11 overall record and 6-1 conference mark.
Ward has coached 12 All-League selections and 10 Little East Conference Players of the Week. Additionally, she has mentored two conference Players of the Year, two Little East Tournament Most Outstanding Players, two NCAA All-Region New England recipients, and most notably an All-American Honorable Mention.
Off the court, Ward's student-athletes have enjoyed benchmark success in the classroom. In 2005, her squad earned Eastern Connecticut State University Academic Team of the Year honors. She also mentored two ECSU Female Sports Person-of-the-Year recipients (2004 & 2006).
Prior to Eastern Connecticut State University, Ward served as the head women's volleyball coach at Farmingdale State University for five years and compiled an 86-61 [.585] overall record. Ward helped facilitate the program's transition to the NCAA Division III status following her second season with the program. She went on to post a 51-37 [.580] record while competing at this level. Among her top finishes with the program came in 2000 when Ward guided the team to a 21-7 mark.
Ward, a four year letterwinner, began her collegiate playing career at Stony Brook University where she helped lead the Seawolves to back-to-back NCAA Division III tournament berths in 1993 and 1994. Stony Brook advanced to the Sweet 16 round in 1993 and Elite Eight in 1994. In 1995, the squad earned the ECAC title after moving to the Division II level.
Ward exhausted her eligibility in 1997 as a graduate student at Dowling College. During that season, she served as team captain and led Dowling to a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament. For her efforts, she earned a share of team MVP honors.
