BOONE, N.C. – After recording the program’s winningest season since 2018, App State head volleyball coach Sarah Rumely Noble has signed a contract extension that runs through the 2026 season, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Friday. The extension was approved by Chancellor Sheri Everts and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.
Fast Turnaround
“Sarah made a dramatic impact on the trajectory of App State Volleyball in her first season,” Gillin said. “Winning 11 of their last 12 matches helped turn around the team’s fortunes in one year as they set their sights on Sun Belt championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Sarah is an energetic and innovative leader, and we look forward to the future of App State Volleyball.”
Rumely Noble led App State to a terrific finish in her first season at the helm last fall. The Mountaineers won 11 of their final 12 regular-season conference matches that helped vault the team to an 18-10 overall record and 11-5 mark in conference play, while posting a 9-2 record in Boone. It was an 11-win improvement overall from the previous season, including an eight-win improvement in Sun Belt Conference matches.
As a player, rumely noble was a two-time All-American and four-time all-sec selection as a setter at kentucky.
“I love being the leader of App State Volleyball,” Rumely Noble said. “Thank you to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Everts, Doug Gillin and Erika Cheung for continuing to believe in me and for investing in volleyball at a high level. We are building something special here, and I’m excited for the future. There is no place I’d rather be.”
Under Rumely Noble’s tutelage, Maya Winterhoff garnered Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors, becoming the first Mountaineer to earn that distinction. The Charlottesville, Va., native ranked 38th nationally in hitting percentage (.376) and third among Sun Belt players.
Senior outside hitter McCall Denny was also named a second-team All-Sun Belt selection, finishing the season with a team-high 329 kills to go along with 248 digs, while playing in all 109 sets for the Mountaineers. Four Mountaineers also received CSC Academic All-District recognition.
The Mountaineers concluded the 2022 season ranking second in the Sun Belt in opponent hitting percentage (.187) and third in service aces per set (1.71).
Experienced as a Player
A two-time All-American and four-time All-SEC selection as a setter at Kentucky, Rumely Noble was named the ninth head coach in App State volleyball history when she was hired in January 2022. She most recently spent five seasons at LSU, serving as the Tigers’ associate head coach in 2021, helping the squad pull in three nationally ranked recruiting classes over her final four seasons in Baton Rouge.
App State opens the 2023 volleyball season by hosting the Mountaineer Classic at the Holmes Center, August 25-26. Season tickets are on sale now.
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