UNO alum Nicky Valenti is beginning her second season as an assistant coach for the Privateer volleyball team after being hired on Aug. 17, 2012.
The 2009 Louisiana Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Louisiana selection, Valenti returned to UNO after spending several years involved in the fitness industry, a pursuit she started while still a member of the Privateer volleyball squad.
The school-record holder in digs per set with 4.46 a frame, Valenti is one of just two players in UNO volleyball history to total at least 1,600 digs. The River Ridge, La. native finished her three-year career on the Lakefront with exactly 1,600 digs to rank second all-time behind Jayne Duncan.
“Nicky’s impressive career at UNO as a libero, her passion for the University and her passion for the sport of volleyball made her an ideal candidate,” said UNO head coach Kim Young-Buford. “Nicky’s energy and enthusiasm about the game of volleyball is instant.”
“She has extensive knowledge of defense and the libero position. She will add depth to that area on our team.”
Valenti put that extensive knowledge to use in her first year on the Lakefront, working extensively with freshman Lauren Levy. Levy grew as the 2012 season wore on, finishing the season ranked No. 11 in school history in digs per set. The 3.59 digs per set also stand third amongst freshman on the Lakefront, a grouping topped by Valenti's 4.46 digs a frame in 2007.
Valenti still has much to accomplish at UNO, a school she landed at following a prep career that included being named a three-time all-district selection.
“I always felt that I was never done with UNO and the volleyball program,” said Valenti, who captained the 2009 Sun Belt Conference West Division team. “Something was still inside of me that wanted to come back and coach what I learned and experienced throughout the greatest years of my life.”
“I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and ready to work with an excellent group of young women.”
Valenti is engaged to Stephen Wood and the pair plans to marry in New Orleans following the 2013 season.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"Nicky has a real passion for volleyball. When I got to the University New Orleans, there was never any question that she believed in the program and the University. This is a great addition for UNO and I know that she can help take the UNO volleyball program to a very high level.” – Former UNO head volleyball coach Jozsef Forman, presently the head coach at Coastal Carolina.
“Nicky will be a very valuable asset to the program at UNO. She has a strong work ethic and understands the game of volleyball more than any other defensive player that I have ever played with. Nicky is a competitor; she will be just as successful at coaching as she was at playing competitive Division I volleyball. Nicky’s value at UNO will not only be measured by her coaching ability but by her positive impact on the players and volleyball program.” – Former UNO teammate Jaci Bayley, who has played professionally in Austria and Montenegro.
