CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Karen Glover, who was most recently an assistant volleyball coach at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and worked as head coach at Arizona Western College, was named Western Carolina's ninth head volleyball coach on March 28, 2011, athletic director Chip Smith announced.
Glover brings over a decade of coaching experience to the program, including four seasons as a head coach in the collegiate ranks. She served two separate two-year stints as the head coach at Arizona Western College and Phoenix College.
"We are very pleased to have Karen Glover join our staff as the head volleyball coach," Smith said. "Karen brings with her a successful career as a head coach. Her drive and her enthusiasm for volleyball are very evident. We are looking forward to Karen returning Western Carolina Volleyball to a position of prominence in the Southern Conference."
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be the next head volleyball coach at Western Carolina University," said Glover.
While at Arizona Western College she directed the team to a National Junior College Athletic Association Region I Tournament appearance, its ninth-consecutive regional appearance. Glover also coached four all-conference performers and an NJCAA All-American. In addition, Glover's program attained a 3.2 overall team grade point average.
Prior to her time at AWC, she spent two years as the head coach at Phoenix College. Glover turned the Lady Bears program around in her first season, as they went from 10 wins in the season prior to a playoff-bound team that won 17 of their last 25 games and finished third in the conference. The following season she directed Phoenix College to an Arizona Community College Athletic Association Co-Championship with a 16-2 league record and a fourth place finish at the national tournament. Overall, Glover had a 45-24 record in her two years at PC and was named 2007 ACCAC Coach of the Year. As well, her squads received NJCAA All-Academic recognition.
Glover began her coaching career at Cactus Shadows HS where she was the varsity volleyball head coach for seven years (1999-2006). She led the program to two Arizona State Championships and five regional titles.
In addition to her coaching experience, she is certified by USA Volleyball and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Glover earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and communications from Hiram College (Ohio) in 1993. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in coach and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine.
"I want to thank Chip Smith, Jamaal Mayo, and the rest of the athletic administration for this opportunity," Glover said. "Throughout this process, I have been impressed by the level of support the athletic department has provided. I am looking forward to working with the team and rebuilding the program."
Glover will take over a Catamount squad that finished 4-26 overall and 1-15 in the Southern Conference last season and holds a 613-604 record all-time. Also returning for the Catamounts is senior Carrie Minogue, who was an ESPN All-Academic District III Third Team selection this past season.