CHICAGO, Ill.– First-year head women's volleyball coach, and second-year men's volleyball coach, Michael Sopocy has solidified his staff for the upcoming 2019 season. Bethany Besancenez and Delaney Gallagher will add high-level experience as both student-athletes and coaches.
Besancenez enters her first year as a graduate assistant coach after a successful playing career at Division II Florida Southern College. A team captain in 2017 and 2018, Besancenez was also named an NCAA Division II All-American and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First Team All-South region selection each of those years.
Additionally, Besancenez excelled in the classroom, garnering Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Honor Roll status in 2015, 2016, and 2017 while being named to the Google Cloud Academic All-District Team in 2018.
Besancenez also enjoyed a deep run in the 2017 NCAA Division II playoffs, leading Florida Southern to a runner-up finish in the National Championship while securing All-Tournament Team recognition.
"Bethany was a floor general on the court and her ability to connect with players is going to propel the women's program to the top of the CCIW," says Coach Sopocy. "Her enthusiasm and dedication to the game will help grow our winning culture."
Gallagher also enters her first year as a graduate assistant coach after a collegiate career at Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Mississippi.
While at Middle Tennessee State, Gallagher led the 2016 team with 67 total blocks and 24 service aces as a middle blocker. She then finished her career with Ole Miss, playing in 19 matches in two years with 27 blocks and 29 kills.
Alongside her commitment of being a student-athlete, Gallagaher provided instruction at Ole Miss volleyball camps and was a head coach of the Oxford Volleyball Club.
As a student, Gallagher was named to the Dean's List in 2017 and 2018 while being named the Student-Athlete of the Month in December of 2017.
"Delaney is a strong leader and proven winner who pays attention to every detail," says Coach Sopocy. "Her excellence on the net and her experience at the highest collegiate level will elevate our offense as the men's volleyball team enters the first season of competition in the CCIW."
"I'm looking forward to working with these two young, upcoming coaches who bring fresh energy and excitement to the volleyball programs," concludes Coach Sopocy. "Their combined experience will allow them to be effective leaders on and off the court. It is a privilege and honor to share the volleyball court with these two and we are so glad they are joining the Viking family!"
The Vikings open their season on the road against Webster University on Friday, August 30 at 3 p.m.
