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Meredith Alexis Hired as Wilkes Head Volleyball Coach
WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University director of athletics
Addy Malatesta has announced the hiring of Meredith Alexis as the
new head coach of the women’s volleyball program. She comes
back to Wilkes after spending last season as the assistant
women’s basketball coach at the University of
Pittsburgh-Johnstown. 
Alexis spent the 2009 season as a graduate assistant with the Lady
Colonels volleyball program, while also assisting with the
women’s basketball team.
“After being an assistant at Wilkes two seasons ago, I know
the potential this team and program has to offer,” said
Alexis. “I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I'm
excited for this upcoming season.”
As the graduate assistant, Alexis helped Wilkes to a 16-12 overall
record, tying the volleyball program’s record for wins in a
season, as the Lady Colonels advanced to the Freedom Conference
semifinals.
That season also saw some Wilkes records fall as Allie Kelleher
set single match, season and career digs marks while Marissa
Harrison became the single season leader in kills.
“I am also looking forward to returning to
Wilkes-Barre,” Alexis added. “Not only will I be back
in my home area, I'll have the chance to coach in front of my
family and friends, and hopefully expand our fan base.”
While at Pitt-Johnstown, Alexis handled various duties, including
player development and recruiting, and was also the strength and
conditioning coach. The Panthers went 16-12 overall last season,
finishing sixth in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (WVIAC) with a 13-9 mark. She helped coach two
all-conference players, one all-region and one All-American.
After a stellar high school career at Bishop Hoban (now Holy
Redeemer), Alexis went on to James Madison University where she was
a four-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) all-conference
selection, including first team honors in 2006 and 2007 on her way
to being named an Associated Press Honorable Mention
All-American.
As a freshman in 2003-04, Alexis received All-CAA third-team
honors and was on the CAA All-Rookie team. She averaged a
double-double for the season and broke the school’s season
records for rebounds and double-figure rebounding games.
As a sophomore, she was an All-CAA second-team performer and was
40th in the nation in rebounding. The following season, she was
tabbed first team All-CAA and finished the year ranked ninth in the
nation in rebounding.
In 2006-07, her senior season, Alexis was the CAA Player of the
Year and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. She
was also the Virginia Player of the Year, the Richmond Times
Dispatch Player of the Year, and a First-Team All-CAA choice.
Alexis holds James Madison’s school record for career points
(1,760) and the conference record for career rebounds (1,313). She
currently ranks seventh in the NCAA record books in career
rebounds, 37th in points scored, and 41st in field goal percentage
(52.5%). She earned a double major in finance and communications
with a concentration in public relations from James Madison in
2007.
After graduating from James Madison, Alexis participated in WNBA
training camps with the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun
in 2007 and 2008. She also played professionally in Europe for
Energa Torun in Poland, USSO Mondeville in France and Extrugasa de
Arosa in Spain.
“The upcoming season is going to be special with our
leadership and talent,” Alexis finished. “I know the
bar is set high, and we will not disappoint.”
