Markowski Tabbed New WPI Volleyball Coach

WORCESTER, Mass. - WPI Director of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Dana L. Harmon announced today the hiring of Cathy Markowski as the head volleyball coach.  Markowski replaces Alex Temkin, who accepted a full-time senior information technology position last month with Saga Communications based in Gross Point Farms, Mich. 

Markowski comes to WPI with a wealth of coaching experience including three years (2005-2008) with the Elms women’s program and double duty as men’s head coach in 2006 and 2007.  On the women’s side, she earned 2007 North Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year honor.  Markowski saw her team lead Division III in aces per game while sporting the conference’s Player of the Year.  She also coached the NAC Rookie of the Year in 2006 and recruited the 2008 NECVA men’s volleyball Rookie of the Year.

“We are very happy that Cathy is joining WPI Athletics,” stated Harmon. “She has a proven record of success in Division III volleyball and we are looking forward to her leadership of our women’s volleyball program.”

Recently, the former University of Massachusetts player and graduate of Elms has been at Deerfield Academy as head coach since 2008. In addition to varsity level athletics, Markowski has been actively involved at the club level as coach at the Northwest Junior Volleyball Club and the Husky Volleyball Junior Olympic Club.

Markowski’s coaching career has also included great success at the high school level.  Her Turners Falls High School girls volleyball team boasted an .819 winning percentage (77-17) over four years including a pair of Western Massachusetts Championships. She holds several coaching certifications including IMPACT, VCAP and CAP I.

“I would like to thank Dana Harmon and WPI for giving me the opportunity to coach such a fantastic group of young women, commented Markowski. “The volleyball team has made great strides over the past few years under Coach Temkin and I look forward to building on the recent success.

The Engineers, who did not lose a single player to graduation from last season, open up the 2011 campaign at the Regis Tournament in Weston on Friday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 3rd.