WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

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BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo Interim Director of Athletics Bill Maher has named Jim Lodes as the next head coach of the UB volleyball program, effective immediately. Lodes, a 14-year collegiate coaching veteran, comes to Buffalo from ACC-power North Carolina where he has been an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the past three seasons.

"We are excited to have Jim Lodes lead the next chapter of our women's volleyball program," said Maher. "His experience both playing and coaching volleyball, his passion for this position at the University at Buffalo and his proven record of building successful programs made him the absolute right choice for this position."

"I'm really excited to be back in Western New York," said Lodes. "I appreciate the opportunity to become the next head coach at the University at Buffalo. The time is right with the support of the University and the athletic department to take this program to the next level. I'm eager to begin the process of showing the volleyball community what a great place the University at Buffalo is."

Lodes helped lead the Tar Heels to a 32-4 record, the ACC's regular season championship title and the program's first appearance in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament in his first season in 2002. UNC also finished that year ranked 12th in the nation in the final AVCA Top 25 poll while setting a school record for winning percentage (.889). North Carolina had a 20-win season in 2003 (20-12) and finished last season with a 19-15 overall record. In Lodes' three seasons with the Tar Heels, they compiled a 71-31 overall record.

Prior to joining the staff at UNC, Lodes was the head coach for two seasons at Division II Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC. He led the Bobcats to the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) regular season and tournament championship titles in both seasons and to an appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament for just the second time in school history in his final season in 2001.

Lodes began his coaching career at nearby Rochester Institute of Technology in 1991 where he posted a 170-59 record over five seasons. He was named NCAA Division III Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 1992 and then guided his team to a third-place finish in the nation in 1993. He also led RIT to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in both 1991 and 1992. Lodes also served as the head coach at Brockport for four seasons, from 1996 to 2000, where he reestablished the program as a SUNYAC contender.

Lodes has a 276-184 career head coaching record at the collegiate level in 11 seasons, a .600 winning percentage. He has coached four AVCA All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans during his coaching career. He has also coached at the high school and club level, at various camps and clinics and at the Empire State Games. He is a member of the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) and earned his USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program Level I certification in 1994.

Lodes was an All-EIVA (Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) player at Genesee Community College in 1987 and 1988 as well as the league's Most Valuable Player in 1987. He earned USA Volleyball All-America honors in 1990 while playing with the Rochester Volleyball Club, and he was an AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) professional beach volleyball player from 1988 to 1992 in Los Angeles, CA. He earned an associate's degree in business administration from Genesee Community College in 1989 and a bachelor's degree in sports management from Brockport in 1993.

Lodes replaces Sally Kus who resigned her position in January after three seasons with the Bulls. Lodes is the ninth head coach in the history of the UB volleyball program.