The University of Tampa volleyball team has put together six back-to-back wins en route to earning Chris Catanach, head coach, the 799th win of his career.
Catanach and the team will take on conference rival Lynn University on Oct. 23, as Catanach will be looking to earn the milestone of 800 wins.
Catanach is in his 26th year as head coach for the Spartan volleyball team and knows that he could not have put together so many wins without a strong supporting cast.
“I have had many great players who are collectively responsible for the wins,” he said. “I have also had a tremendous assistant in Jeff Lamm who is as much responsible for the wins as I am.”
In his previous 25 coaching seasons Catanach has led Tampa to win 24 or more games each year.
Furthermore, the team has made 23 NCAA appearances under the tenured coach, only missing the cut in 1986 and 1995.
The attempt at 800 wins will likely come in front of a large crowd as it is homecoming week at UT.
“If there are a ton of fans at the game and we win then it may be more exciting,” Catanach said.
Intitally inspired by USA coach Arie Sellinger, Catanach looks to his team to continue to inspire him to push and win the big game.
An inside passion also drives the coach; “the fear of failure.”
Not only does this matchup have huge implications on a career milestone for the head coach, it is also a huge game for the SSC standings as well.
Lynn will come to Tampa sporting a respectable 17-6 record.
The humbled head coach is looking forward for the opportunity of his 800th career win, but he is more interested on the volleyball program as a whole.
“Coaching is not and never has been about my accomplishments. I am proud of our volleyball program, but not driven by wins,” he said. “ [I am] driven by what kind of kids we attract and how well prepared they are when they leave.”
Very modest words, from a classy coach.
