After four years of building a strong foundation for the Marymount (Va.) University men's volleyball team, Head Coach Hudson Bates has announced his resignation and acceptance of an assistant women's volleyball coaching position at the University of Virginia.
"I am forever grateful for the support and opportunities to grow during my time here with this incredible and ever progressing athletic department," Bates said. "I have to thank President Dr. Shank in particular for his support of all athletics throughout the years. It has been an incredible experience getting this program off the ground and none of it would have been possible without the administrative support and the incredibly hard work from the founding athletes throughout the years. I am looking forward to my next endeavor, but will always look back fondly on my time here at Marymount."
Bates joined the Marymount athletic department in 2013, building the program's first team. He transformed a team that went 9-20 the first season to a season-long national ranking and Continental Volleyball Conference regular-season champions this year. Dropping just one league game throughout the season to tally a 13-1 CVC record, the Saints posted the program's best tally in four years, going 19-10 in 2017.
Additionally, he has worked with several All-CVC honorees in junior TJ Wiechecki, who has been named to the team three-straight times including Rookie of the Year. This season, the program set a new mark, landing three Saints on the all-conference team. Wiechecki, who was a three-time CVC Player of the Week and two-time ECAC South Player of the Week, made his third appearance, while senior Tomasz Ksiazkiewicz, who was the program's first AVCA All-American last season, earned his spot on it for the second-straight year. Junior setter Erich Bratke, who became the program's first AVCA National Player of the Week, was also named to All-CVC for the first time in his career.
Through the four years, Bates has coached his players to three-straight league playoff appearances including the top seed this season. This year, Marymount worked its way to the No. 8 team in the country, the highest in program history. The success also translates into the classroom, as the team boasts a 3.11 average GPA.
"Hudson has built a great foundation and put us on the map as a nationally ranked program in a very short time," Director of Athletics Jamie Reynolds said. "He leaves the program in a very good place and has set us up for success in the years to come. We thank him for his dedication to starting the program and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Bates will be joining recently announced new Head Coach Aaron Smith of UVA's women's volleyball program; Smith was named head coach in February this year.
The two played high school volleyball together in Richmond for Monacan where Bates was a setter on the team and Smith was a hitter.
The Marymount athletic department will be opening an immediate national search for the next head coach of the Saints' men's volleyball program.
STORY COURTESY OF MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION