WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

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BUFFALO, NY - Sally Kus, a veteran coach at the collegiate, high school and club levels and perhaps the most recognized name associated with the sport of volleyball among the Western New York community, has been named head volleyball coach at the University at Buffalo, announced UB Athletic Director Bob Arkeilpane.

Sally Kus

"We are extremely excited to welcome Sally to our department," said Arkeilpane. "She brings an unparalleled history of success, immediate credibility in the Western New York community and a coaching philosophy that I have confidence will make our volleyball program competitive in the Mid-American Conference. Sally has everything we were looking for in a head coach, and she is a perfect fit for the University at Buffalo."

Kus comes to UB after four successful seasons coaching at nearby Daemen College, an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Division I institution. Kus was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000, and she guided the Lady Warriors to a 27-9 overall record and a 19-4 conference mark this past season. In her four years at Daemen, Kus coached 13 All-Conference players, two Conference Freshman of the Year selections, three All-Region selections, one All-America selection and three Scholastic All-Americans.

Prior to taking over the head coaching reins at Daemen, Kus transformed the Sweet Home High School's girls' volleyball program into a national powerhouse during a 23-year tenure, during which time her teams compiled a 794-29 overall record and were named the "Best Prep Program Ever in the History of the Sport" by Volleyball Magazine. The Panthers were ranked nationally in the Top 20 in the USA Today poll from 1984 to 1995, and they earned a No. 1 ranking in 1991. Sweet Home set a National Federation of High School record for consecutive wins (292 over a span of eight undefeated seasons from 1978-87) by a team of any sport, male or female, and Kus was named National Federation Coach of the Year in 1987. During Kus' time at Sweet Home, the Panthers won six consecutive New York State Championship titles from 1990 to 1995, and they finished second in 1996. Additionally, they secured 21 consecutive ECIC titles and 20 consecutive Section VI Class A titles.

Kus coached seven High School All-Americans at Sweet Home, and over 70 of her players were awarded scholarships at NCAA Division I institutions. In addition, six of her teams earned New York State Scholar-Athlete Team honors by obtaining over a 90 team average. Kus was one of four coaches for the inaugural National High School All-American match in 1992, held at the University of New Mexico prior to the NCAA Division I semifinals.

Kus was named Coach of the Year by the National Women's Sports Foundation in 1993, and she was inducted into the National Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1996, receiving the inaugural Minonette Medallion of Merit Award recognizing her overall achievements and contributions to the sport of volleyball and to her student-athletes. Kus received UB's Annual Recognition Award for Commitment to Women in Sports in 1992, presented as part of UB's National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration, and she was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame called her coaching career at Sweet Home "the most remarkable success story in Western New York scholastic sports history."

In addition to her coaching experience at Daemen and Sweet Home High School, Kus coached the girls' scholastic team at the Empire State Games from its beginning in 1978 through 1991, winning 10 gold and three silver medals. She is the founder and coordinator of the nationally-renowned Cheetah Junior Olympic Development Program, whose teams have won numerous regional championships. The Cheetahs have placed in the top 16 nationally on seven different occasions with four final four appearances and 11 All-America honorees.

Kus is a 1970 graduate of the University of Akron with a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education, and she lettered on the Zips' basketball team as well as being named to Who's Who in National Colleges and Universities. Kus is also a graduate of the University at Buffalo, having earned a master's degree in Health and Physical Education in 1974. She serves as commissioner for the Amherst Recreation Commission, and she is the Health and Physical Education Peer Coordinator at Sweet Home Middle School. Kus is also a USA Volleyball National Coaching Accreditation Program clinician (CADRE).

"As a neighbor of UB, I watched the development of the athletic program as it progressed from Division III to II to I," said Kus. "From a short distance, that has always been an appealing attraction. Coupled with UB's commitment to athletics, I look forward to the challenge of making a positive difference in developing a firm foundation for the volleyball program."

Kus is the eighth head coach in UB volleyball history. She replaces Nadine Lilavois who resigned earlier in the week after three seasons with the Bulls.