Volleyball

August 8, 2007

WATERBURY, Conn.-Post University Director of Athletics Anthony Fallacaro announced the hiring of Michael Brienza as the head coach of the volleyball program at Post. Brienza comes to Post after serving as the head coach of the girl's volleyball program at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Conn.

"I am very excited to announce Mike as head coach of our volleyball program," Fallacaro said. "His background in the local volleyball landscape will be a tremendous asset for Post volleyball. Mike has built winners at every stage of his coaching career and I am confident he will be able to do the same at Post."

A decorated coach at the scholastic and club level, he guided Jonathan Law to a 207-47 (.814) record in 12 seasons, and a 410-95 (.811) record in 11 seasons as a travel team coach for the Connecticut Juniors Volleyball Club.

"I know I am going to have my work cut out for me this year, but it is going to be a fun hard working experience for both myself and the team," Brienza said. "I am extremely anxious to get started, and I look forward to getting out on the recruiting trail and bringing in some strong student-athletes whom will succeed both in the classroom as well as on the court."

He was named Coach of the Year by both the Connecticut Post and New Haven Register in 1999 and 2003, and has also coached 14 first-team All-State players, while 21 of his former high school players have gone on to play volleyball at the collegiate level.

"His ability to recruit talented players and great student-athletes is what solidified our decision, that Mike is the right choice to take our volleyball program to a higher level," Fallacaro added.

He led three of his teams at Law to the Class M State Volleyball Championship match, with the most recent trip coming this past season. In addition, he guided his teams to three SWC Colonial Championships, a Southwest Conference Championship in 2003, three SCC Hammonesset Division Championships and a Southern Connecticut Conference Championship this past season.

"I know under (former Post Head Coach) Dawn (Spellman) Post had several successful seasons and my intention is to bring that back to Post in my own way," Brienza said.

Before becoming the head coach at Law, Brienza was a volunteer assistant at Fairfield University, during the 1994 season under former Stag Head Coach Ed Bengermino. At the club level he has guided his teams to four U18 New England Region Championships, including the last two seasons.

Last season the Eagles qualified for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championships winning their last five matches, and six of the last seven matches to end the regular season. Post finished the year with a 12-17 overall record and an 8-8 mark in the CACC.

The Eagles begin the season at home in the Drubner Center, with a non-conference match against Southern New Hampshire University, on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles were 8-7 at home last season