Melissa DeRan named head volleyball coach at Union College

 

“Melissa brings extensive experience to our program, and we are very pleased that she will be leading Union College volleyball,” said McLaughlin. “Her energy, enthusiasm and organizational skills are apparent and will truly benefit our student-athletes on and off the court. As she said in the interview process, she is invested in the student-athlete, and this is what we are most proud of with our coaching staff. We are fortunate to hire an outstanding coach and outstanding person.”

“I've always admired Union College for its tradition of excellence and the quality of its athletics, particularly the volleyball program, stated DeRan. “Sandy (Collins) has left this program in great shape and I have no doubt we will be able to build upon that success. I'm so excited about the potential of this team. This is a wonderful group of student-athletes and I am proud to join them.”

DeRan comes to Union after serving as an assistant at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Beacons produced a record of 30-5 and won the Little East Conference Championship in her one year on campus, the 2010 season. UMass Boston finished in the top 20 in the AVCA National Poll for the first time in school history, and also reached the NCAA Division III Elite Eight for the first time.

 

For three seasons, 2007-09, DeRan was the head volleyball coach, assistant track and field coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator at St. Lawrence. She was 77-39 for a winning percentage of 66% and became St. Lawrence's all-time winningest coach in just three years. She was the 2009 Liberty League Volleyball Coach of the Year, leading the Saints to a school record win total with a 30-8 season. Her first year featured 19 wins, the most in 15 seasons, and the Saints won 28 in her second year. DeRan produced 12 Liberty League All-Academic student-athletes in her three seasons. In 2009, Abigail Rose earned player of the year honors under DeRan's guidance.

 

DeRan was a graduate assistant at Otterbien in the 2006 season. That squad won 22 matches and broke 13 school records. She was the head coach at Tiffin, where she also assisted the track and field program, for three seasons (2000-03). Six all-conference honorees and four Academic All-Americans were produced during her tenure. DeRan also has coached in the Gold Medal Squared summer camp program, which trains high school and middle school age athletes throughout the country.

 

A 1999 graduate of Murray State University, DeRan was the captain of the Division I Racers in her senior season. She received a Master of Arts from St. Lawrence and earned a Secondary Teaching Certificate from Capital University.