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The University of Cincinnati announced the newest addition to its coaching staff Tuesday with the appointment of Molly Alvey — current head volleyball coach at the University of Houston.

Alvey will replace Reed Sunahara as the reigning Big East champs’ new head coach next season.
Originally from Louisville, Ky., Alvey said she is excited to join the Bearcats’ coaching staff.

“What an amazing opportunity to continue doing what I love, and to do it close to my home.There is a clear vision within the UC Athletics Department and a clear direction in which the UC volleyball program is headed,” she said. “Throughout my interactions with Cincinnati, Director of Athletics

Whit Babcock has undoubtedly given a fresh energy to the department in just a short period of time. I am ready to add to that energy.”

Babcock said he was particularly impressed with Alvey’s quality of coaching, in addition to her leadership on the court.

“When I met her in person, I became very excited by Coach Alvey’s energy and enthusiasm,”

Babcock said. “From an outstanding field of candidates for this position, she became the top pick to be our head coach.”

Alvey, who spent the past two seasons at UH, led the Cougars to a 38-24 overall record.

Prior to Houston, Alvey spent five seasons at the University of Mississippi, where she served as assistant head coach for two years; and in 2004, Alvey served as head coach at the University of

Southern Indiana, where she led the Screaming Eagles to the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles, as well as the team’s second-ever NCAA Division II tournament berth.

“Talking with people around the industry, they have been impressed with her maturity level and her ability to lead a program,” said senior associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator Robin Martin, who chaired the search committee. “Molly is a hard-working, successful woman who will be a great role model for our student-athletes.”



Alvey will look to lead UC to another winning season in 2012-13 when she takes the helm of the Bearcats’ volleyball team.