ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After leading the UCF volleyball team to a historic 2018 campaign, head coach Todd Dagenais has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him in Orlando through the 2023 season, Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White announced.
“We are excited to have Todd continue to lead our volleyball program,” White said. “For more than a decade, Todd has elevated our volleyball program to new heights. Not only, has he produced winning teams, but his teams consistently have some of the best GPAs in the athletic department. We look forward to watching the volleyball program continue to raise the bar as we push towards our goal of becoming a perennial Top 25 athletic department.”
Dagenais led the Black and Gold to one of the best seasons in program history in 2018. UCF went 27-4 with a perfect 18-0 mark in the American Athletic Conference to secure its second league title in five seasons. The Knights posted their longest winning streak as an NCAA Division I program with 24 straight to close the regular season.
Dagenais was named the The American Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.
The Knights upset then-No. 7 USC at the Bubly Invitational over four sets. For the first time in program history, the Black and Gold appeared in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches Poll, climbing as high as No. 21 and finishing the year at No. 25.
Senior libero Jordan Pingel and freshman outside hitter McKenna Melville garnered All-America honors by the AVCA and Volleymag.com. The duo also earned All-Region and All-Conference laurels. Melville was named The American’s Freshman of the Year. Kristina Fisher and Anne-Marie Watson were also honored on the All-Conference squads.
“I want to thank Dr. White and our sport supervisor Brad Stricklin for their unyielding support of our volleyball program,” Dagenais said. “Our ability to grow over the past decade is the direct result of their support, the hard work of a selfless staff and players who share a common goal and vision. I’m proud to be the leader of this program. I’m proud to be a part of a very bright future, not only for an incredible volleyball program, but the entire athletics department.”
Dagenais wrapped up his 11th season at UCF in 2018. He holds a career record of 212-140 (.660), all during his time in Orlando. Already the winningest Division I coach in program history, Dagenais is 25 victories away from breaking Lucy McDaniels’ all-time program record of 236 wins.
Dagenais has helped transform the Knights into a nationally-recognized program. During his tenure, he has mentored nine AVCA All-America selections, 12 AVCA All-Southeastern Region picks, one American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and 19 All-Conference picks in The American.
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