DURANGO, Colo. – March 28, 2018 – Tricia Melfy has been selected as the next Fort Lewis College Head Volleyball Coach, announced today by Director of Athletics Barney Hinkle.  Melfy is the eighth head coach in program history.
 
"We are very excited to announce that Tricia Melfy will be our next Head Volleyball Coach at Fort Lewis College," said Hinkle. "We were very fortunate to have many qualified candidates to choose from.  Her background and experience matched perfectly with the needs that were identified by our search committee."
 
Melfy comes to Fort Lewis College with 23 years of coaching experience and more than 400 career wins. She joins FLC from Phoenix College in Phoenix, Ariz., where she has served as the head volleyball coach since April 2016, and the Arizona Storm Volleyball Club coach.
 
In her 23 years as a volleyball coach, Melfy has tallied 18 winning seasons.
 
"I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead the Fort Lewis College Skyhawk volleyball program," said Melfy. "I would like to thank Barney Hinkle, Lynne Andrew and the search committee for their confidence in me and for welcoming me to the Skyhawks family.  After meeting the team, it is clear that they are motivated and hungry for success.  I am excited to get to work with this great group of young ladies, be a part of a dynamic staff at Fort Lewis College and become a member of the beautiful town of Durango."
 
As the head coach at PC, she was also responsible for monitoring her team's academic success, scouting and recruiting qualified student-athletes, and she was responsible for fundraising and the team's strength and conditioning program.  At PC, Melfy assisted the department in compliance and eligibility, writing and monitoring all Letters of Intent, and assisted with game management for men's and women's basketball games.
 
"When I talked with her, I was impressed by Tricia's energy, experience, and desire to be a part of FLC," said FLC President Dene Thomas. "I am looking forward to her coming!"
 
Prior to Phoenix College, Melfy was the head coach at Division III University of Minnesota Morris for the 2015 season, where she led the team to the conference championship match and a 21-12 overall record.
 
During the 2014 season, she was the first assistant coach at NCAA Division II Minot State University (N.D.).
 
From 2013 to 2015, Melfy was the head coach of the Spiral Volleyball Club in Chandler, Ariz., while also serving as the head coach at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. for five seasons.  At Campo Verde High School, Melfy led the program to two sectional championships in their first four years of existence, and finished second in the state tournament with a 40-7 record.  She was also named the 2012 and 2013 All-Arizona Volleyball Coach of the Year, while coaching three students to the All-Arizona Volleyball Team.
 
Additionally, Melfy's experience includes stints with the Eclipse Volleyball Club in Gilbert, AZ, Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ and Mesquite High School in Gilbert, AZ.
 
Melfy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science/Physical Education from Arizona State University in December 1994.  She earned her Physical Education Teacher Certification from Ottawa University in November 1995, and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University in August 2002.
 
As a student-athlete at ASU, Melfy was a NCAA All-American Heptathlete in 1992 and 1994.  She also competed in the heptathlon at Mesa Community College, were she earned NJCAA All-America honors.  In 1992 and 1996, Melfy was an Olympic Trials Qualifier.
 
Melfy will begin her role as the Skyhawks head coach the first week in April.