University of Houston Athletics
Volleyball’s Nolan-Ayeni Promoted to Associate Head Coach
5/23/2023 1:30:00 PM | Volleyball
After serving as assistant coach for four seasons, Caitlin Nolan-Ayeni elevated on Head Coach David Rehr’s staff
HOUSTON – Caitlin Nolan-Ayeni has been promoted to associate head coach of the University of Houston Volleyball program, Head Coach David Rehr announced Tuesday. Nolan-Ayeni has been an assistant coach with the program since the summer of 2019.
"Caitlin has become a valuable asset to me and our team," Rehr said. "She has steadily increased her role on the team each year, and she should be rewarded for her efforts. Houston Volleyball does not have the success we have enjoyed without the hard work of Caitlin."
In four seasons with the Cougars, Nolan-Ayeni has helped Rehr push the Cougars to new heights. She's assisted in the mentoring of three All-Americans, three conference Players of the Year and nine individuals who have earned All-Conference honors. She also helped lead the team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over two decades and its first conference championship in 21 years in 2022.
"I want to thank David Rehr for this opportunity!" Nolan-Ayeni said. "I am very appreciative to have been a part of the growth of this program for the last four years, and I am looking forward to what is come."
As the team's primary defense and passing strategist, she's mentored three-time All-American libero Kate Georgiades and 2020 Setter of the Year and 2020 Rookie of the Year Annie Cooke. The team finished 2022 ranked 34th in the country with 12.81 assists per set and held opposing teams to a .174 hitting percentage, which ranked 35th out of 334 NCAA Division I programs.
Prior to her arrival in Houston in 2019, she served as a graduate assistant with SMU. In her time with the Mustangs, she assisting in statistical tracking, practices, travel operations and recruiting needs, such as scouting prospective student-athletes at national tournaments.
A two-time and back-to-back AVCA All-American from Iowa State, Nolan was one of the most decorated student-athletes to come through the Cyclone Volleyball program. Along with her Big 12 accolades, Nolan also received back-to-back AVCA All-America honors from 2014-15, earning a spot on the Second Team in 2014.
Aside from her pair of All-America awards, Nolan landed spots on the AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team, becoming the seventh Cyclone player to make an All-Region First Team multiple times. From 2014-15, Nolan became a unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 selection and was named back-to-back Big 12 Libero of the Year in that span.
During her time with Iowa State, Nolan helped lead the Cyclones to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and in her senior campaign, Nolan posted not only an Iowa State record 5.77 digs per set but a Big 12 record as well. In the summer of 2013, Nolan had the privilege to represent her country, serving as the libero for the U.S Junior National Team at the U-20 World Championships in the Czech Republic.
While with the Cyclones, Nolan was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), having organized and participated in community outreach programs to help create better opportunities for student-athletes. As a result of her leadership, Nolan was named captain of the Cyclone volleyball team for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and later earned the honor as the Iowa State Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2016.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. For more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, fans can click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.
"Caitlin has become a valuable asset to me and our team," Rehr said. "She has steadily increased her role on the team each year, and she should be rewarded for her efforts. Houston Volleyball does not have the success we have enjoyed without the hard work of Caitlin."
In four seasons with the Cougars, Nolan-Ayeni has helped Rehr push the Cougars to new heights. She's assisted in the mentoring of three All-Americans, three conference Players of the Year and nine individuals who have earned All-Conference honors. She also helped lead the team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over two decades and its first conference championship in 21 years in 2022.
"I want to thank David Rehr for this opportunity!" Nolan-Ayeni said. "I am very appreciative to have been a part of the growth of this program for the last four years, and I am looking forward to what is come."
As the team's primary defense and passing strategist, she's mentored three-time All-American libero Kate Georgiades and 2020 Setter of the Year and 2020 Rookie of the Year Annie Cooke. The team finished 2022 ranked 34th in the country with 12.81 assists per set and held opposing teams to a .174 hitting percentage, which ranked 35th out of 334 NCAA Division I programs.
Prior to her arrival in Houston in 2019, she served as a graduate assistant with SMU. In her time with the Mustangs, she assisting in statistical tracking, practices, travel operations and recruiting needs, such as scouting prospective student-athletes at national tournaments.
A two-time and back-to-back AVCA All-American from Iowa State, Nolan was one of the most decorated student-athletes to come through the Cyclone Volleyball program. Along with her Big 12 accolades, Nolan also received back-to-back AVCA All-America honors from 2014-15, earning a spot on the Second Team in 2014.
Aside from her pair of All-America awards, Nolan landed spots on the AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team, becoming the seventh Cyclone player to make an All-Region First Team multiple times. From 2014-15, Nolan became a unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 selection and was named back-to-back Big 12 Libero of the Year in that span.
During her time with Iowa State, Nolan helped lead the Cyclones to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and in her senior campaign, Nolan posted not only an Iowa State record 5.77 digs per set but a Big 12 record as well. In the summer of 2013, Nolan had the privilege to represent her country, serving as the libero for the U.S Junior National Team at the U-20 World Championships in the Czech Republic.
While with the Cyclones, Nolan was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), having organized and participated in community outreach programs to help create better opportunities for student-athletes. As a result of her leadership, Nolan was named captain of the Cyclone volleyball team for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and later earned the honor as the Iowa State Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2016.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. For more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, fans can click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.
Players Mentioned
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