GLASSBORO, NJ – Matt Verlinghieri was named the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Assistant Coach of the Year announced on Monday, Dec. 1.

AVCA OFFICIAL RELEASE

Verlinghieri navigated the Rowan volleyball program through a trying season after taking over for head coach Deana Jespersen in early October. Jespersen would lose her courageous and inspiring battle with cancer a month later.

The New Jersey Athletic Conference honored Jespersen, Verlinghieri and assistants Gaelen Fitzgerald, Julia Worth, Emma Gosbin, and student assistant Kyra Hissner as the 2025 NJAC Women's Volleyball Coaching Staff of the Year.

Verlinghieri, who is in his fourth season in Glassboro, helped guide four players to all-conference honors with Jessica Smart (the 2025 NJAC Rookie of the Year) and Raven Albrecht, both freshmen, to AVCA All-Region and All-American accolades.

The team would put together a 7-1 NJAC record to earn the #2 seed in the conference tournament. A semifinal loss ended the Profs' season at 25-6.

He becomes the 16th coach in AVCA history to claim the award since its inception of the honor in 2009.