The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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Ingram Announces Promotion of Clesen as Beach Volleyball Head Coach
8/17/2023 3:15:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram has announced the promotion of Delaney Clesen as the new head coach of the Blazers' beach volleyball program.
Clesen spent the 2023 season as UAB's assistant coach and was instrumental in helping the Blazers win a program record 18 matches.
"Delaney earned this position by demonstrating a passion and eagerness to take the UAB beach volleyball program to new heights," Ingram said. "Delaney is a proven winner on and off the court, and her familiarity with UAB and our student-athletes, along with her positive attitude will allow for a seamless transition."
Along with helping the Blazers win a program-best 18 matches last year, Clesen coached Conference USA Freshman of the Year Jasmine Haas and First Team All-Conference selection Arden Copping. She also helped guide Brooke Pertuit to a program-record tying 22 individual wins.
"I knew from the first day that I stepped foot on campus, that this is a special place where everyone feels like family," Clesen said. "In such a short amount of time Birmingham has become my home and I'm so thankful for this new opportunity. I'm honored to be the new leader of UAB's Beach Volleyball program and I can't wait to get started with the team! I want to thank Director of Athletics Mark Ingram and the entire search committee for believing in me to guide such a great program."
Prior to joining UAB in January of 2023, Clesen served as the assistant coach for beach and indoor at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. for two years (2021-22).
Clesen played indoor at the University of Pittsburgh from 2011-14 and was one of the best defensive players in Pitt volleyball history as she ranks third all-time in career digs with 1,607. Following Pitt, she did a graduate transfer to Florida Atlantic where she played beach for two years (2015-16) and earned Honorable Mention All-America honors on the sand in 2016.
Following her collegiate playing career, Clesen played indoor professionally for VBC Kerzers in Switzerland from 2017-18. She then returned to America in 2018 and played professionally on the AVP beach circuit from 2019-2022.
Along with playing professionally, Clesen has been coaching since 2017 which included stints as the program director for Chicago Sand Volleyball (2018-19), Montini Catholic freshman volleyball coach (2018-19), New Wave Club coach (2018-19), Gold Medal Squared Independent coach (2017-2020) Legacy Volleyball Club indoor coach (2020-21) and Calvary Christian indoor and beach assistant (2020-21). Additionally, she was an elementary school counselor at Sexton Elementary in St. Petersburg from 2020-2022.
Clesen is a native of Evanston, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 with a degree in Media and Professional Communication and earned a Master of Education in counseling from FAU in 2019.
Clesen spent the 2023 season as UAB's assistant coach and was instrumental in helping the Blazers win a program record 18 matches.
"Delaney earned this position by demonstrating a passion and eagerness to take the UAB beach volleyball program to new heights," Ingram said. "Delaney is a proven winner on and off the court, and her familiarity with UAB and our student-athletes, along with her positive attitude will allow for a seamless transition."
Along with helping the Blazers win a program-best 18 matches last year, Clesen coached Conference USA Freshman of the Year Jasmine Haas and First Team All-Conference selection Arden Copping. She also helped guide Brooke Pertuit to a program-record tying 22 individual wins.
"I knew from the first day that I stepped foot on campus, that this is a special place where everyone feels like family," Clesen said. "In such a short amount of time Birmingham has become my home and I'm so thankful for this new opportunity. I'm honored to be the new leader of UAB's Beach Volleyball program and I can't wait to get started with the team! I want to thank Director of Athletics Mark Ingram and the entire search committee for believing in me to guide such a great program."
Prior to joining UAB in January of 2023, Clesen served as the assistant coach for beach and indoor at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. for two years (2021-22).
Clesen played indoor at the University of Pittsburgh from 2011-14 and was one of the best defensive players in Pitt volleyball history as she ranks third all-time in career digs with 1,607. Following Pitt, she did a graduate transfer to Florida Atlantic where she played beach for two years (2015-16) and earned Honorable Mention All-America honors on the sand in 2016.
Following her collegiate playing career, Clesen played indoor professionally for VBC Kerzers in Switzerland from 2017-18. She then returned to America in 2018 and played professionally on the AVP beach circuit from 2019-2022.
Along with playing professionally, Clesen has been coaching since 2017 which included stints as the program director for Chicago Sand Volleyball (2018-19), Montini Catholic freshman volleyball coach (2018-19), New Wave Club coach (2018-19), Gold Medal Squared Independent coach (2017-2020) Legacy Volleyball Club indoor coach (2020-21) and Calvary Christian indoor and beach assistant (2020-21). Additionally, she was an elementary school counselor at Sexton Elementary in St. Petersburg from 2020-2022.
Clesen is a native of Evanston, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 with a degree in Media and Professional Communication and earned a Master of Education in counseling from FAU in 2019.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
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