Hurricanes women’s volleyball head coach, Lori-Beth Dwyer, has announced she is stepping down from her position after six seasons with the ’Canes.

Dwyer, from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, compiled a career record of 86-45 in Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) regular season, playoffs and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national competition.

“When I took on the role as head coach of the women’s volleyball Hurricanes, my goal was to create a competitive program within the ACAA. I believe that due to the support of the Athletics Department, my assistant coaches and phenomenal student-athletes, we have successfully achieved this goal.

Over the past six years I have had the pleasure of coaching many female athletes and have enjoyed watching them grow both on and off the court. Each season our team became a family and I have enjoyed watching graduated players come back, time and again, to support the ‘Canes family.

My family has grown two-fold over the last six years and I have been incredibly lucky to have had the support from my husband, and the girls have embraced my children as part of the team each year. My decision to step down as head coach of women’s volleyball is solely based on my desire to have more quality time with my family.

It’s been a privilege and an honor to coach the Hurricanes and I look forward to supporting the team in many successful seasons in the future.”

In 2013, Dwyer took over the program that had a combined 1-78 record in its first four seasons.  In her first year, the ‘Canes finished in seventh with a 1-17 record, before improving to 15-6 in her second season, finishing second in the regular season standings and losing in the ACAA Championship match.  This was the first time the women’s volleyball Hurricanes ever qualified for the ACAA playoffs.

The ‘Canes then went on to post records of 18-3 in three consecutive regular seasons (2015-2018), claiming two more ACAA silver medals in the process.

In 2016 the Hurricanes hosted the CCAA National Women’s Volleyball Championship in Charlottetown at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement; the ‘Canes went on to finish in fifth at the event, having won their first ever match at a National Championship.

This past season the Hurricanes had a regular season record of 16-6, finishing second in the ACAA and took home another conference silver medal; the fourth in five seasons.

Philicia Johnson-Taylor, who has spent three years playing for Dwyer, is appreciative of the time Lori-Beth committed to the women’s volleyball program.

“LB has been a great inspiration for the members of the Hurricanes women’s volleyball team.  There are a few of us who’ve worked with LB for the last three or four years, and I know I can speak for most and say that she has been an amazing role model in our lives.  She taught us so much by going above and beyond to show her love and we’re grateful for an amazing experience from beginning to end.  On behalf of the players of the women’s volleyball Hurricanes from the last six years, we would like to say thanks a million for being the best coach one could have.  We can’t think of a coach more motivating, patient and inspirational. We wish you nothing but the best as you continue to touch the lives of many.”

Dwyer, the Academy & Camp Coordinator at the Holland College Athletics & Recreation Department, will continue to work with the men’s and women’s volleyball programs moving forward in a managerial role.

Director of Athletics and Recreation, Albert Roche, is appreciative of everything Dwyer has contributed to the Hurricanes.

“Lori-Beth’s knowledge, passion and level of commitment to our women’s volleyball program has been incredible.  She has set high standards for her student-athletes and has been the architect of building a program from the bottom of the conference to a championship contender year after year.  We acknowledge her leadership and dedication to her many players and our volleyball program.”

The Hurricanes will now be accepting applications for the head coaching position for their women’s volleyball team.  Interested persons should submit resume’s by email to hollandhurricanes@hollandcollege.com.

For more information on the women’s volleyball Hurricanes, please visit www.twitter.com/caneswvball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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