Lawrence Named North Region Coach of the Year

Identified in caption
Coach Jocelyn Lawrence

Bellevue College volleyball coach Jocelyn Lawrence has been named NWAC North Region Coach of the Year and Bulldogs players Audrey Saelens and Kendle Valade-Nunez earned first team all-region honors.

Audrey Saelens
Saelens

Under Lawrence, the Bulldogs finished first in the North Region with an 11-1 record and were 34-8 overall heading into the start of the NWAC Chamnpionships, which begin Thursday, Nov. 17.

Lawrence is in her third season as head coach. Last season, the Bulldogs finished second in the North Region and seventh at the NWAC Championships, losing the tournament opener to eventual champion Blue Mountain, which won its fourth straight title – a match in which Bellevue won the first two games. BC also was runner-up in the North Region in 2014.

Saelens, a sophomore middle blocker, was named first-team All-North Region for the second consecutive season. Sophomore setter Valade-Nunez is in her first season with the Bulldogs.

 Kendle Valade-Nunez
Valade-Nunez

Sophomore Shea O’Brien and freshman Averi Dyer were named to the North Region second team.

The Bulldgos were ranked fifth in the final NWAC Under Armour Coaches Poll on Nov. 15. Undefeated Linn-Benton was ranked first, followed by Walla Walla, North Idaho and Highline.

BC opens the NWAC Championships against Umpqua on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m.at the Greater Tacoma Trade and Convention Center.

Last Updated December 14, 2020