Regis Volleyball Camps

Frank Lavrisha enters his 23rd season as head coach of the Regis University women's volleyball team in 2009.

Lavrisha and success have been constant companions since the Ohio State University graduate took the reigns of the program prior to the 1986 season. Lavrisha has twice (1994 and 1997) been named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northwest Region Coach of the Year. In 1988, he led the Rangers to a 38-7 record and was selected NCAA II National Coach of the Year by Volleyball Monthly. In addition to his national honors, Lavrisha has received conference Coach of the Year accolades six times.

The recognition that Lavrisha and his programs have received has been well deserved. Lavrisha has compiled a 434-198 overall record for a remarkable .687 winning percentage. Additionally, Lavrisha has guided his teams to NCAA II post-season play 15 times and has advanced to the NCAA II Elite Eight six times. At 1998's Elite Eight, Lavrisha's Rangers came within a game of advancing to the championship match - enduring a five-game heartbreaker to North Dakota State University in the semifinals.

Lavrisha's squads have been dominant in conference play, as his 232-52 (.817) record in conference matches will attest to. Moreover, Lavrisha's teams have secured nine conference titles in his 18 seasons at the helm. During the Lavrisha era, the Rangers have yet to finish lower than fourth in any conference season and have only finished below the .500 mark three times. Lavrisha has guided Regis to three undefeated conference schedules, amassing perfect 14-0 records in 1988 and 1991, followed by a 12-0 mark in 1995.

Lavrisha has produced 14 AVCA All-Americans and six GTE / CoSIDA Academic All-Americans during his time at Regis. Included in both groups is former RU setter Melinda Almazan, who in 1998, earned Regis' first national Player of the Year award when the AVCA honored her as its NCAA II Most Valuable Player. In June of 1999, Almazan brought even more national attention to the RU volleyball program when the American Honda Company selected her for its NCAA II Athlete of the Year.

Lavrisha is well-tied to the national volleyball community, as well. He has twice served as a U.S. Olympic Festival head coach, taking him to Oklahoma City in 1989 and Los Angeles in 1991. At the L.A. Festival, Lavrisha led his West squad to the gold medal. Even more, Lavrisha had a taste of international competition in 1994, leading the U.S. "B" team on a tour of the Orient. Lavrisha resides in Louisville with his wife, Maggie. The couple has three children, Michael, Kristina and Nikolas.