Sept. 26, 2007

SALT LAKE CITY - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has announced that Utah volleyball head coach Beth Launiere has been elected as the President-Elect of the AVCA Board of Directors.

Launiere begins her term as President-Elect on Jan. 1, 2008. She is currently in her third year as the NCAA Women's Division I Representative. Prior to that, Launiere served on the AVCA's All-America committee for five years.

"I believe leadership in our sport is important," said Launiere. "The time invested as the Division I representative the last three years has taught me a lot about the AVCA and instilled in me the passion needed to do my part in moving our sport forward. Our sport needs coaches to look past their own institutions and into the future and what it holds for volleyball."

Launiere is in her 18th season as head coach at Utah and boasts a career record of 354-198. She has led the Utes to nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, three Mountain West Conference Tournament Championships and two MWC regular season titles. For her efforts, Launiere has earned AVCA West Region (2001, 06) and MWC (2004, 06) Coach of the Year honors twice. She has recorded 11 straight 20-win seasons (12 overall) and guided three Utes to All-America honors.