Aberdeen, S.D. – Northern State head volleyball coach,
Brent Aldridge announced today the promotion of
Holly Vancura to assistant coach for the 2019 season. Vancura spent the 2018 season as the team's graduate assistant after a 4-year career with the Wolves.
"I am excited to have Holly join me as my full time assistant coach," noted Aldridge. "I think she has a great eye for the technical side of things on the court and will be another voice in practice that can help in our player development. Holly will also be able to help identify the type of student-athletes that fit into what we do system wise here at Northern State."
Vancura will be the recruiting/defensive coordinator for the Wolves, while also working with the middle hitters.
"I'm really excited to step into this new position at Northern," explained Vancura. "I'm looking forward to being a part of the continued success that this program has created, as well as getting quality coaching experience with a nationally ranked team. I have learned so much from Coach Aldridge in the past five years and can't wait keep developing as a coach, while getting to work with players who compete in the top conference in the nation."
In her first season as a graduate assistant, the Wolves tallied a 26-5 record overall and 17-3 mark in the NSIC. Northern won the first NSIC Conference Championship in program history and advanced to the NCAA Central Region Tournament for the second straight season. In addition, five Wolves were named to the all-conference teams, while three earned All-American accolades.
As a graduate assistant, she worked primarily with the defensive specialists and liberoes, handling floor defense for the program. Vancura spent the summer of 2018 working as a club volleyball coach for Aberdeen based, Kusler Klinics.
"As a former player of mine, Holly knows the expectations have risen and has been a part of the growth of this program as a player and coach," added Aldridge. "I look forward to working with her to take on the NCAA Division II's finest competition in and out of the Northern Sun Conference."
She appeared in 64 matches for the Wolves over her 4-year career. Vancura tallied 577 kills and 769 digs, playing a variety of positions. The Barnesville, Minnesota native was a member of the 2017 team, which reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Vancura received her bachelor of art in history from Northern State in May of 2018 and is currently working on her master's degree in Sport Performance and Leadership.
