Aurora, Ill., native Monica Marlowe is beginning her second season with the Braves after joining the Bradley coaching staff in July of 2006 after a three-year tenure with NCAA Division II power Nebraska-Kearney.
A 2003 graduate of Truman State, Marlowe joined the Lopers coaching staff in August 2003 as a graduate assistant and was promoted to assistant coach following the 2004 season.
In 2005 UNK finished the season with a 38-2 overall record and was the nation’s top-ranked Division II team for a total of seven weeks. The Lopers, which claimed their second consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship, won 33 consecutive matches before losing to Grand Valley State in the Division II National Championship.
As a graduate assistant Marlowe helped coach UNK to a 40-1 record, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship and NCAA Division II Final Four appearance in 2004. In her first season with the Lopers in 2003, UNK finished the season with a 31-7 overall record and lost in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. In her three years at Kearney, the Lopers posted a 109-10 overall record, including a 55-2 record in conference matches.
Marlowe also served as club director for Nebraska Gold Volleyball Club and the Gold Star Select Volleyball Club during her time in Kearney, Neb.
“Monica owns a great deal of experience and knowledge of the game for someone her age and has been a great addition to our program,” head coach Scott Luster said. “She has had success at every level she has played and coached and we anticipate her helping our program continue to improve. Her enthusiasm and expertise compliments those of Sarah Ohnemus.”
A second-team AVCA All-American in 2002, she was a four-year starter at setter at Truman State, where she led the Bulldogs to two Elite Eight appearances. She holds school records for assists in a match (78) and career assist average (11.43 per game) and is second in career assists.
A four-time first-team all-conference selection, she was a three-time All-South Central regional selection and was a three-time MIAA All-Academic team pick. She also ranks among the school’s all-time leaders with over 1,400 career digs and helped the Bulldogs to a 118-26 (.819) record during her four years and appearance in the 2002 National Championship match.