Monica Moreland returns to Piedmont for her second season under Coach Feldman. She will continue as the squad’s top assistant coach following a brilliant four-year career as a setter for NAIA Union College out of Kentucky where she helped the Lady Bulldogs to some of the best seasons in program history.
"Monica's greatest asset is her love of the game and her open enthusiasm for playing and coaching," stated Coach Feldman of the recent hire. "In addition, her experience of leading a team in running a quick offense will help Piedmont volleyball completely change our offensive strategy. As we move into the USA South Conference it will be essential that we develop a complex offense if we hope to win a championship in this new conference and, fortunately, we have this year to develop this style of play."
Monica’s addition to the Lady Lion volleyball program has proven invaluable as the Kentucky native’s setting knowledge will combine well with the returning setters from PC’s 2010 championship squad which includes a Freshman of the Year award winner. Piedmont claimed its third overall Great South Athletic Conference tournament championship to grab the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA National Tournament marking the second time the Lady Lions have made an appearance in the prestigious event in an eight-year affiliation with the collegiate governing body.
Moreland brought a bevy of experience to her new post in Demorest coming fresh off an unprecedented four-year playing career at Union College that saw the setter post a new school season record for assists with 1,454 in just her first year wearing the orange and black. During that same season in 2007, Moreland was a part of one of the best teams in program history as the squad set record marks for wins in a season with 34 while also snapping six other records along the way to an appearance in the NAIA Region XII semifinal match.
Monica’s career numbers consisting of 4,610 set assists in 143 matches played speak enough for themselves as does her 9.15 assist per set average established over her time at Union. However, in addition to her career numbers which also include over 1,500 digs, Moreland also has the individual accolades and team championship hardware to accompany her statistical accomplishments.
In just her freshman year at Union, Moreland was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Setter of the Year, and Freshman of the Year while also being named the NAIA Region Player of the Year. Over her four-year career in Barbourville, Moreland was a three-time AAC Setter of the Year, four time All-Conference selection, a 2007 AAC Player of the Year, a 2007 Region Player of the Year, an AAC All-Tournament selection, and a 2010 All-Academic honoree. Also a 14-time Setter of the Week, the now Lady Lion coach demonstrated her leadership ability as well guiding her team to their fair share of accomplishments with the Lady Bulldogs winning the AAC regular season title twice (2007, 2009) while also taking the AAC championship tournament crown during Moreland’s junior and senior seasons with the team (2009, 2010).
Moreland attained her Bachelor of Science while majoring Mass Communications and Marketing with a minor in English from Union College in the spring of 2011 and plans to pursue her Master of Business Administration from the graduate school at Piedmont College. Monica will be involved in every facet of the PC volleyball program including recruiting, practice organization, and game preparation.
