From Brandeis University Athletics

Brandeis University has named Alesia Vaccari as the fourth head women's volleyball coach in program history, Director of Athletics Sheryl Sousa '90announced today.

Vaccari comes to Brandeis from Simmons College, where she has been head coach since 2011. She posted a 50-49 career record with the Sharks, reaching the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) semifinals in each of her three seasons. Vaccari was named the GNAC Coach of the Year in her first season at Simmons, when she led the program to a 20-10 record. In 2012, she was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under Thirty Award.

"Alesia is a coach on the rise," said Sousa, who served as Brandeis volleyball coach from 1998 to 2003. "I think she is up to the challenges that coaching in New England and in the University Athletic Association will present."

Prior to her time at Simmons, Vaccari was a coach at Clarkson University from 2009 to 2011. She was part of the Golden Knights' 2010 Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year, helping the program to its first-ever NCAA tournament berth.

Vaccari is a 2006 graduate of Springfield College, where she twice earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honors after becoming the Pride's all-time leader in assists. She was the 2004 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Vaccari is a member of the AVCA Division III Committee and All-Region Selection Committee. She has also served as the GNAC coaching representative with the New England Women's Volleyball Association (NEWVA) poll committee.

Vaccari replaces Michelle Kim, who stepped down from coaching earlier this month when she was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director.