January 28, 2010
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LAURINBURG, N.C.—St. Andrews Presbyterian College Director of Athletics Glenn Batten has announced that Thais Franca has been promoted to head coach of the Lady Knights women’s volleyball program on Thursday.
“I would like to thank Mr. Batten and the St. Andrews Presbyterian College administration for giving me this opportunity to lead the Knights volleyball program,” said Franca. “With this being my first head coaching experience, I am extremely honored and excited to become the St. Andrews head women’s volleyball coach.”
Franca has been with the St. Andrews athletics department since August of 2009 and was the Knights assistant volleyball coach during the 2009 season. Franca has served as the interim volleyball head coach for the past two-plus months after former head coach Melissa Chaplin departed in mid-November.
“I am excited to have Thais Franca as the St. Andrews head volleyball coach,” stated Batten. “She has had success in coaching and playing on the international circuit prior to coming to St. Andrews. She further proved herself at St. Andrews last semester, making the decision to promote her an easy choice.”
Franca will be in the process of rebuilding Knights volleyball in 2010 with the graduation of a deep senior class that included one of the programs’ most decorated players in Galina Podolsky, a four-time All-Conference honoree. SAPC volleyball also graduates four-year letter winners Jaime Hayes, a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection, and Tyler Lee. Transfer Courtney McDonald, who garnered 2009 All-Conference accolades, is the Knights fourth graduating senior.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and the long hard road ahead, in fact I am ready to hit the recruiting trail and bring some fresh faces to St. Andrews,” expressed Franca.
Franca has already gained valuable coaching experience prior to joining the Royal Blue & White with camp and club coaching at Illinois State University, California University of Pennsylvania, Hutchinson Community College, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers Volleyball Academy Club, and Tri-State Elite Volleyball Camp.
The Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil native brings an international component to the Knights volleyball program. Franca played for BCN Guaruja, Projeto Futuro, Cubatao, and Unimonte throughout Brazil, which is considered one of the world’s hotbeds for volleyball. Brazil won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“Thais [Franca] is ready to become the driving force in bringing St. Andrews volleyball back to the championship form that the program reached several years ago,” Batten said, referencing the team’s participation in the 2004 NCAA Division II National Tournament.
A 2008 graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, Franca earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Resort and Hospitality Management before continuing her education receiving a Masters degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion (concentration in Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention) at California University of Pennsylvania in 2009. Franca started her collegiate studies at Hutchinson Community College where she gained an Associate in Arts degree.
Franca was a student-athlete at all three institutions of higher education she attended, building an impressive resume throughout her playing career. She was an All-Region and All-American at Hutchinson before moving on to Florida Gulf Coast. At the Division II ranks, Franca capped her collegiate career as a member of the PSAC and Atlantic Region championship team at California (Pa.). Franca was an All-PSAC and All-Atlantic Region award winner for the Vulcans.
Franca is certified with the USA Impact Volleyball Program for increased mastery and professional application of coaching theory, the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a performance enhancement specialist, and with human kinetics in advanced exercise nutrition.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the St. Andrews volleyball program under Coach Franca, please contact Admissions at 1-800-763-0198 or by emailing admissions@sapc.edu.
