The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pauly Officially Announces Volleyball Coaching Staff
4/25/2018 10:14:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB head volleyball coach Amy Pauly has officially announced the two new members of her coaching staff and one volleyball staff position on Wednesday.
Shawn McLaughlin and Michelle Meehan bring experience, passion and energy to the program as well as a history of developing players into high achieving individuals on and off the court.
"My goal was to surround our student-athletes with winners, competitors and people who care about developing the entire student-athlete," Pauly said. "Our staff is made up of coaches who have successfully done that at every level. I know the positive impact we will be able to have on our student-athletes both on and off the court and I can't wait to work together to make this program a place that Birmingham is proud of."
Shawn McLaughlin – Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
McLaughlin joins Pauly's staff after spending the last four seasons at the University of Incarnate Word, where he also served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He developed four All-Conference performers and a Southland All-Conference Freshman of the Year. Incarnate Word made the Southland Conference tournament every season McLaughlin was on staff.
"I am very excited and honored to be a part of the UAB volleyball program. I want to thank head coach Amy Pauly and Athletic Director Mark Ingram for giving me this opportunity. UAB has a great athletic support staff and a wonderful campus feel that will allow the school and the athletic programs to grow over the next few years and I am honored to be a part of this growing program," McLaughlin said. "I hope Amy and I will continue to rebrand our volleyball program and I am excited to bring recruits from across the country to represent the Blazer athletic department."
Prior to Incarnate Word, McLaughlin served at the University of Denver, the University of Nevada-Reno and at UC Davis. At each stop, he was involved in the development of practice plans, the breakdown of film and scouting opponents, while also assisting in recruiting.
On the club circuit, McLaughlin was the head coach of the San Antonio Magic volleyball club since 2014 and his teams qualified for the USAV Junior Nationals in three separate seasons, including winning a Gold Medal in 2014 at the USAV Junior National in 14's USA. He has also worked with USA Volleyball at its national training camp and served as head coach to volleyball clubs in Colorado, Nevada and California.
"I am thrilled that Shawn is alongside me for the rebuilding of the UAB Volleyball program. He comes to us after spending several years in Texas, a hot bed for volleyball, and his connections there and throughout the country are going to help us in finding top talent for our program," Pauly said. "I also love his energy and connection with the team in the gym. His positive outlook and ability to make the sport light-hearted and fun are going to go a long way while we rebrand our program into a championship caliber group."
Michelle Meehan – Assistant Coach
Meehan joins the UAB coaching staff after spending the past year at Villanova as an assistant coach. While with the Wildcats, Meehan assisted with the day-to-day operations of practice planning, scouting opponents and creating a game plan. She was also involved with the management and planning of Villanova's volleyball camps.
Meehan also broke down film, ran film sessions and had hands on-experience with the evaluation of potential recruits.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the UAB women's volleyball program," Meehan said. "I want to thank coach Amy Pauly and the UAB athletic department for this great opportunity. When I arrived on campus, I instantly felt at home and have been extremely welcomed into the UAB family. I have had the opportunity to work with Amy in the past and I am excited to continue to grow under her guidance and direction. I look forward to contribute to the vision that Amy has for the UAB volleyball program."
Before Villanova, Meehan was a graduate assistant at Salisbury University from 2015-17 and was responsible for the on-court training of all positions with an emphasis on liberos, defensive specialists and outside hitters. At Salisbury, she also prepared opponent scouting reports, broke down film and supervised the academic development of the student-athletes.
Meehan was a four-year starter at Salisbury as a libero and served as team captain for two years. She led the Sea Gulls to back-to-back conference championships and three-straight NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite 8 run.
She is the current school record holder in career digs, digs in a season, career aces and season aces at Salisbury.
Meehan earned her B.S in science with a minor in athletic coaching and a master's of science in applied health physiology from Salisbury.
"Michelle is eager to learn and succeed in the volleyball world. I had the privilege of working with Michelle previously and I've experienced the work ethic and commitment she makes to a program," Pauly said. "I know that I can trust Michelle with any task I throw her way and that's why I am so happy to have her on staff. She's innovative, a problem-solver and isn't afraid to take on a challenge and will be a great mentor for our student-athletes."
Emily Pitek Clifford – Director of Operations
Pitek comes to UAB to serve as the director of operations and brings a wealth of experience and as a former collegiate head coach, a unique perspective.
She was the assistant women's soccer coach at Birmingham-Southern from 2010-13 before taking over as the head coach from February 2013-14. As the assistant coach, she organized the logistics of hosting the conference tournament as well as managing the day-to-day aspects of the program such as scheduling and preparing for home matches or arranging travel for away matches.
She successfully ran a fundraising campaign raising $12,000 for new uniforms and other needed equipment as the head coach at Birmingham-Southern. Pitek also built upon the alumni base, creating an even stronger foundation through events both in season and out of season.
"It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as the Director of Operations for the UAB Volleyball program," Pitek said. "I believe that Amy Pauly has assembled a coaching staff that is eager to elevate the level of this storied program. I am looking forward to assisting in the daily operations of the program, while connecting our student-athletes not only with the UAB community and alumni, but also to the greater Birmingham region."
Prior to coaching at Birmingham-Southern, she was an assistant soccer coach at Sewanee.
"I am so lucky to add Emily to our staff as the Director of Operations. Emily was a student-athlete at a high level and knows how a top Division I program is supposed to function," Pauly said. "She also provides a unique aspect to our program since she has served as a head coach to a successful program before. Her organization skills and her passion to see others succeed is going to be extremely beneficial for our program."
Shawn McLaughlin and Michelle Meehan bring experience, passion and energy to the program as well as a history of developing players into high achieving individuals on and off the court.
"My goal was to surround our student-athletes with winners, competitors and people who care about developing the entire student-athlete," Pauly said. "Our staff is made up of coaches who have successfully done that at every level. I know the positive impact we will be able to have on our student-athletes both on and off the court and I can't wait to work together to make this program a place that Birmingham is proud of."
Shawn McLaughlin – Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
McLaughlin joins Pauly's staff after spending the last four seasons at the University of Incarnate Word, where he also served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He developed four All-Conference performers and a Southland All-Conference Freshman of the Year. Incarnate Word made the Southland Conference tournament every season McLaughlin was on staff.
"I am very excited and honored to be a part of the UAB volleyball program. I want to thank head coach Amy Pauly and Athletic Director Mark Ingram for giving me this opportunity. UAB has a great athletic support staff and a wonderful campus feel that will allow the school and the athletic programs to grow over the next few years and I am honored to be a part of this growing program," McLaughlin said. "I hope Amy and I will continue to rebrand our volleyball program and I am excited to bring recruits from across the country to represent the Blazer athletic department."
Prior to Incarnate Word, McLaughlin served at the University of Denver, the University of Nevada-Reno and at UC Davis. At each stop, he was involved in the development of practice plans, the breakdown of film and scouting opponents, while also assisting in recruiting.
On the club circuit, McLaughlin was the head coach of the San Antonio Magic volleyball club since 2014 and his teams qualified for the USAV Junior Nationals in three separate seasons, including winning a Gold Medal in 2014 at the USAV Junior National in 14's USA. He has also worked with USA Volleyball at its national training camp and served as head coach to volleyball clubs in Colorado, Nevada and California.
"I am thrilled that Shawn is alongside me for the rebuilding of the UAB Volleyball program. He comes to us after spending several years in Texas, a hot bed for volleyball, and his connections there and throughout the country are going to help us in finding top talent for our program," Pauly said. "I also love his energy and connection with the team in the gym. His positive outlook and ability to make the sport light-hearted and fun are going to go a long way while we rebrand our program into a championship caliber group."
Michelle Meehan – Assistant Coach
Meehan joins the UAB coaching staff after spending the past year at Villanova as an assistant coach. While with the Wildcats, Meehan assisted with the day-to-day operations of practice planning, scouting opponents and creating a game plan. She was also involved with the management and planning of Villanova's volleyball camps.
Meehan also broke down film, ran film sessions and had hands on-experience with the evaluation of potential recruits.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the UAB women's volleyball program," Meehan said. "I want to thank coach Amy Pauly and the UAB athletic department for this great opportunity. When I arrived on campus, I instantly felt at home and have been extremely welcomed into the UAB family. I have had the opportunity to work with Amy in the past and I am excited to continue to grow under her guidance and direction. I look forward to contribute to the vision that Amy has for the UAB volleyball program."
Before Villanova, Meehan was a graduate assistant at Salisbury University from 2015-17 and was responsible for the on-court training of all positions with an emphasis on liberos, defensive specialists and outside hitters. At Salisbury, she also prepared opponent scouting reports, broke down film and supervised the academic development of the student-athletes.
Meehan was a four-year starter at Salisbury as a libero and served as team captain for two years. She led the Sea Gulls to back-to-back conference championships and three-straight NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite 8 run.
She is the current school record holder in career digs, digs in a season, career aces and season aces at Salisbury.
Meehan earned her B.S in science with a minor in athletic coaching and a master's of science in applied health physiology from Salisbury.
"Michelle is eager to learn and succeed in the volleyball world. I had the privilege of working with Michelle previously and I've experienced the work ethic and commitment she makes to a program," Pauly said. "I know that I can trust Michelle with any task I throw her way and that's why I am so happy to have her on staff. She's innovative, a problem-solver and isn't afraid to take on a challenge and will be a great mentor for our student-athletes."
Emily Pitek Clifford – Director of Operations
Pitek comes to UAB to serve as the director of operations and brings a wealth of experience and as a former collegiate head coach, a unique perspective.
She was the assistant women's soccer coach at Birmingham-Southern from 2010-13 before taking over as the head coach from February 2013-14. As the assistant coach, she organized the logistics of hosting the conference tournament as well as managing the day-to-day aspects of the program such as scheduling and preparing for home matches or arranging travel for away matches.
She successfully ran a fundraising campaign raising $12,000 for new uniforms and other needed equipment as the head coach at Birmingham-Southern. Pitek also built upon the alumni base, creating an even stronger foundation through events both in season and out of season.
"It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as the Director of Operations for the UAB Volleyball program," Pitek said. "I believe that Amy Pauly has assembled a coaching staff that is eager to elevate the level of this storied program. I am looking forward to assisting in the daily operations of the program, while connecting our student-athletes not only with the UAB community and alumni, but also to the greater Birmingham region."
Prior to coaching at Birmingham-Southern, she was an assistant soccer coach at Sewanee.
"I am so lucky to add Emily to our staff as the Director of Operations. Emily was a student-athlete at a high level and knows how a top Division I program is supposed to function," Pauly said. "She also provides a unique aspect to our program since she has served as a head coach to a successful program before. Her organization skills and her passion to see others succeed is going to be extremely beneficial for our program."
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