Volleyball

Michael Brienza
	Title	Women's Volleyball Coach
	E-Mail	mbrienza@post.edu
	Phone	(203) 596-4556
	Fax	(203) 596-4695

Michael Brienza begins his first season, as the head coach of the Post University volleyball program this upcoming season.

"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.

Assistant Coach Allison Kascak

 Allison Kascak begins her first season as an assistant coach on first-year Head Coach Mike Brienza's staff

"Allison is going to bring some setting experience and collegiate playing experience at Western Connecticut State to the table," Brienza said. "She was also a player for me, so she knows my coaching style and philosophy and will be able to use that experience in helping our players here get better."

Kascak will be involved in all facets of the volleyball program at Post, including practice and game preparation, recruiting, and the day-to-day administration of the program.

She comes to Post with experience as both the scholastic and club level. She was an assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach at Fairfield-Ludlowe High School, and a coach and site supervisor for the Connecticut Junior Volleyball Association at the Connecticut Sports Center.

At Ludlowe, Kascak helped direct the volleyball program, assisting with the varsity program, and guiding the JV team. She also developed the Fairfield-Ludlowe volleyball day camp for girls.

With the Connecticut Sports Center, she was responsible for running practices, clinics, camps, and private lessons for both the boys and girls volleyball programs.

She graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in psychology in 2006, and was a member of the volleyball program for two seasons. In that time, she was a part of two Division III NCAA Tournament teams.