Rivier Univiersity women's volleyball coach Craig Kolek, right, was named GNAC Coach of the Year for the just-concluded 2021 season. (Photo courtesy of Rivier University)

NASHUA — Rivier University Men’s and Women’s Volleyball head coach and Associate Director of Athletics Craig Kolek has had a great fall season – not a good fall, but a great one.

Not only did Kolek pick up his 1,000th career win this recently concluded season, but this week he was named Great Northeast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

The women’s Volleyball team had a perfect, 13-0 regular season and advanced to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Finals, where unfortunately they fell to Johnson & Wales. However, based on their superb seasons, Kolek’s players Avery Pollard, a senior, and sophomore Sofia Pawlusik named 2021 GNAC Women’s Volleyball Player and Libero of the Year, respectively.

Kolek picked up his 1,000th win, ironically, against Johnson & Wales back on Oct. 20. The milestone win follows his 2017 achievement as the only coach in volleyball history at all levels (Divisions I, II and III) to reach 400 wins coaching women and 400 wins coaching men.

Given his success, it’s no surprise that Kolek was named GNAC 2021 Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career, in addition to his 2011 induction into the North Eastern Collegiate Volleyball Association Hall of Fame as a coach. This year he celebrated his 23rd season coaching men’s volleyball at Rivier, and his 22nd season leading the women’s team. During his tenure, Rivier men’s and women’s Volleyball teams have won a combined 22 championships.

“My success is from the hard work of the student-athletes,” Kolek said. “They are the ones who spend countless hours in the gym and the weight room working on their game to make Rivier a program to be proud of.”

Having worked together for more than 20 years, Rivier athletic director Joanne Merrill has unique insight on Kolek’s leadership.

“Craig’s success comes from all things inside him — his love and knowledge of the sport, his desire to help all of his players achieve their maximum potential, and finally his character and all he hopes to teach his team not only about volleyball, but about life,” she said.