2025-26 NCVBCA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS

RALIEGH, NC (November 17, 2025) – Congratulations to the 2025-26 NCVBCA Coach of the Year awards recipients - by school classification! This award signifies outstanding coaching excellence. It celebrates a coach who guided their team to a successful season while demonstrating deep knowledge of the game, developing talent, and contributing to the volleyball community through leadership, mentorship, and volunteerism—chosen by fellow NCVBCA coaches.

To qualify for consideration, a coach must be a NCVBCA/AVCA member, as well as have a successful record for the 2025-26 season.  In addition, the coach should exhibit:

• Knowledge of the game (rules, systems, coaching philosophy)
• Rapport with the team (respect of the players)
• Talent development (gets the most out of their players)
• Leadership (helps other coaches, organizes tournaments/special events)
• Volunteerism (volunteers at coaches clinics, or with the AVCA/NCVBCA)
• Rapport with other coaches, officials and media (cooperative, considerate)

Congratulations to the coaches recognized!!

• Class 1A - Corrinna Sammons, Falls Lake Academy
• Class 2A - Kristie Thach, Perquimans County High School
• Class 3A - Nicole Waters, Ayden-Grifton High School
• Class 4A - Lee Kennell, Uwharrie Charter Academy
• Class 5A - Helen May, Cedar Ridge High School
• Class 6A - Kim Pryor, Watauga High School
• Class 7A - Jennifer Gillikin, D.H. Conley High School
• Class 8A - Alston Godbold, Green Level High School

graphics for social media

Right click on and save each Coach of the Year award recipient's graphic below to share on your social media.

2024-25 NCVBCA Coach of the Year

• Class 1A - Molly Hill, Polk County High School: Molly Hill has spent her entire coaching career at Polk County High School, serving as their head volleyball coach for 11 years. The Wolverines won consecutive state championships in 2023 and 2024.  She achieved her 200th win this season with her team finishing 22-3. Her players were honored with the 2024 1A NCHSAA Volleyball Sportsmanship Award and MVP.
• Class 2A - Marty Woods, McMichael High School: McMichael High School Head Volleyball Coach Marty Woods led her team to win this year's 2A NCHSAA Volleyball State Championship.  Coach Woods upholds the highest standards for her program and elevates her athletes each year. Her dedication and ability to grow her players year after year is evidenced by her team's consistent success.
• Class 3A - Ginny Howard, JH Rose High School: Coach Ginny Howard has served as the JH Rose Volleyball Head Coach for 5 years. She led JH Rose to the 2023 Eastern Finals with a talented and experienced team.  This year could have been a rebuilding year, but instead Coach Howard's team advanced to the 3A NCHSAA Volleyball State Finals. Howard won a State Championship as a player at JH Rose prior to returning as coach.  She is an exception leader for young people and head coach.
• Class 4A - Brook Hammers, Marvin Ridge High School: Marvin Ridge High School Volleyball Head Coach Brook Hammers led her team to advance to this year's 4A NCHSAA State Volleyball Finals finishing the season 34-4. Coach Hammers has demonstrated remarkable leadership, commitment, and dedication, leading her volleyball team to be a top-performing skill team as well as the mental performance side of the game during her 21 years coaching volleyball. Her team excels in sportsmanship with a player earning the 2024 4A NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award, while being a dominant force in the state.

2023-24 NCVBCA Coach of the Year

2022-23 NCVBCA Coach of the Year 

2021-22 NCVBCA Coach of the Year

2020-21 NCVBCA Coach of the Year

2019 NCVBCA Coach of the Year