United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics

NEW LONDON, CONN.--(7/12/07)--Rob Mullowney has been named the head women’s volleyball coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy, he takes over a team that last season won the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Division III Elite 8, for the first time in school history.

Mullowney, is no stranger to the NEWMAC, as he was a graduate assistant with the volleyball team at conference rival Smith College for the past two seasons, while also serving as an assistant coach for the Elms College men’s team last spring. Smith beat Coast Guard in the 2005 NEWMAC Tournament championship game.

“We are pleased to add Rob Mullowney to our coaching staff,” said Dr. Ray Cieplik, Coast Guard Academy Director of Athletics. “He has been involved with a number of successful programs prior to joining us, and we are confident that his enthusiasm will allow us to continue our strong tradition in women’s volleyball.”

Patty Giannattasio led the Bears to the school's first ever trip to the Elite 8 as the team posted a 26-3 record.

NEW LONDON, CONN.--(4/3/07)--Patty Giannattasio, who led the Coast Guard Academy volleyball team to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 for the first time in school history this past season, will resign her position as head coach at the end of the semester after 10 years.

“I’m very proud of the way the volleyball program has evolved over my ten years,” said Giannattasio. “After our match at the Elite 8 was over and everyone left the arena, I took a few minutes to reflect on the past season and what the team had accomplished. I looked up at the banner that read, “Coast Guard Academy NCAA Elite Eight” and was both humbled and proud and at that moment I was grateful for the fact that for the past ten years I’ve been involved in something much more than coaching a volleyball team.”

Giannattasio posted a 211-99 record in her 10 seasons for a solid .681 winning percentage. Under her guidance, Coast Guard made five consecutive trips to the ECAC Tournament (2001-2005). She led the Bears to the ECAC New England Championship in 2005 and the ECAC North Championship in 2002.

The Coast Guard volleyball team advanced to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 for the first time in school history by winning the NCAA Division III New England regional as well as the NEWMAC regular season and tournament championship. Coast Guard finished 26-3 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

The Bears were featured on the CBS Fall Sports recap show to view the Coast Guard feature simply CLICK HERE

Volleyball - Bears Enjoy Greatest Season Ever

All-America Nicole Gurr and NEWMAC Coach of the Year Patty Giannattasio led the Bears to the New England regional championship.

It was a story book season for the Coast Guard Academy volleyball team as entering the season, the team had some unfinished business to tend to. The team had lost in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournament championship game in each of the last two seasons missing out on the automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

This season, the Bears took care of business and then some as they advanced to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 for the first time in school history by winning the NCAA Division III New England regional as well as the NEWMAC regular season and tournament championship. Coast Guard finished 26-3 overall and 8-1 in conference play.