NJAC NEWS ARCHIVE

 2004-05

August 2, 2004


 STATSZEWSKI NAMED NEW HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH AT ROWAN


FORMER NJAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR TABBED AS LEADER OF PROF PROGRAM


Rowan University has selected Lori Staszewski as head coach of its women's volleyball team. The appointment was made on August 2, 2004 by athletic director Joy Solomen.

"I'm pleased to welcome Lori to the coaching staff," stated Solomen. "As a graduate and former player, she is well aware of our program and what we are trying to accomplish. We were sorry to see Noelle (Hughes) leave but
we fully understand. Having Lori assist occasionally last year makes the transition much smoother for the team. A captain and Player of the Year, she has the skill and knowledge to keep this team on track and compete at an
extremely high level." 

Staszewski, 25, replaces Noelle Hughes who left the university to coach at Division I Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. At Rowan, Hughes had a three-year coaching record of 64-26. In 2002, the Profs had an overall record of 27-9, won the conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Staszewski played three-years (2000-2002) at the University. Her senior year, she was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Player of the Year and to the All-Conference first team. An outside hitter, she led the team with 495 kills, a 4.54 kill average and a .432 hitting percentage. Staszewski recorded 141 solo blocks, 22 block assists and 472 digs. In addition, she was chosen to the Hunter College and Marymount University All-Tournament teams.

In 2001, Staszewski was an All-Conference first team selection and a member of the Catholic University All-Tournament team. Her sophomore season, she was tabbed for the NJAC All-Conference second team. She was
also named to the All-Tournament teams at Catholic University, Hunter College and Plattsburg State.

"I am very excited to begin my coaching career at Rowan," said Staszewski. "I look forward to continuing the success of the program and accomplishing great things."

Staszewski holds several of the school records. She has the mark for kills in a match (29, 2002) and in a single season (495, 2002). In addition, she holds the record for total attacks in a season (955, 2002), solo blocks in a season (141, 2002) and career hitting percentage (.319, 2000-02).

She graduated with a bachelor's in history with a concentration in international studies. Staszewski is currently a math/special education teach for 5th-8th grade in the Lindenwold School District. She has taken graduate classes at Villanova University in international relations and at New Jersey City University in teaching. A graduate of Sterling High School, Staszewski resides in Laurel Springs, NJ.