Kepner Adds Two-Time All-American Knop to Coaching Staff
2/19/2019 11:57:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Former two-time AVCA All-American and Florida Gators star Caroline Knop has joined the College of Charleston volleyball program as an assistant coach, announced head coach Jason Kepner on Tuesday.
"It is an exciting time as we add Caroline Knop to our staff," Kepner said. "She really connected with the team on her visit and her energy and competitive drive was contagious. She has played at the highest level and has learned from some of the best coaches in the country. Caroline is going to bring a tremendous amount to our gym, on the recruiting trail, and to all aspects of our program. I am thrilled to welcome Caroline to Charleston and the Cougar family."
Knop brings an envious amount of experience competing at the highest levels of the sport. A two-time AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selection at Florida, Knop also spent this past summer in Anaheim, Calif. training with the USA Women's National Team ahead of the 2018 Volleyball Nations League – an experience which challenged her both mentally and physically.
"While I have been incredibly fortunate to have had several tremendous experiences in our sport already," Knop said. "I can't tell you how thrilled and excited I am to be joining the Cougar staff, becoming a part of the College of Charleston community, and working with the talented players that are part of our program. I truly cannot wait to get started in our quest for excellence in everything we do this season and beyond."
Knop spent two seasons at Florida after transferring from Michigan, leading the Gators to the 2017 National Championship match despite playing the last month of the season with a broken bone in her hand. A two-time All-SEC selection, Knop totaled 976 digs in her first two seasons at libero since playing the position in high school while helping the Gators to a combined 57-6 record.
"Caroline may have the highest volleyball IQ of any player we have coached [at Florida]," Florida head coach Mary Wise said. "She sees the game so well and she may be more prepared to go into coaching than really any player I have coached at that age."
Knop earned a gold medal at the 2015 European Global Challenge as a member of the USA Volleyball Junior National Team, and was also named to the All-Tournament team at the Girls Junior National Championship in 2013. She was twice named to the U.S. Women's Junior National Training Team roster in both 2013 and 2014, and was one of 27 finalists for the USA Volleyball Girls Youth National Team in 2013.
The Pasadena, Calif. native comes to Charleston following a stint as a coach with the Ocala Power United club program in Ocala, Fla. Knop also participated in a post-graduate internship in the University Athletic Association at the University of Florida, working with the accounting department, Gator Booster, the UF golf course, administration, and operations.
"It is an exciting time as we add Caroline Knop to our staff," Kepner said. "She really connected with the team on her visit and her energy and competitive drive was contagious. She has played at the highest level and has learned from some of the best coaches in the country. Caroline is going to bring a tremendous amount to our gym, on the recruiting trail, and to all aspects of our program. I am thrilled to welcome Caroline to Charleston and the Cougar family."
Knop brings an envious amount of experience competing at the highest levels of the sport. A two-time AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selection at Florida, Knop also spent this past summer in Anaheim, Calif. training with the USA Women's National Team ahead of the 2018 Volleyball Nations League – an experience which challenged her both mentally and physically.
"While I have been incredibly fortunate to have had several tremendous experiences in our sport already," Knop said. "I can't tell you how thrilled and excited I am to be joining the Cougar staff, becoming a part of the College of Charleston community, and working with the talented players that are part of our program. I truly cannot wait to get started in our quest for excellence in everything we do this season and beyond."
Knop spent two seasons at Florida after transferring from Michigan, leading the Gators to the 2017 National Championship match despite playing the last month of the season with a broken bone in her hand. A two-time All-SEC selection, Knop totaled 976 digs in her first two seasons at libero since playing the position in high school while helping the Gators to a combined 57-6 record.
"Caroline may have the highest volleyball IQ of any player we have coached [at Florida]," Florida head coach Mary Wise said. "She sees the game so well and she may be more prepared to go into coaching than really any player I have coached at that age."
Knop earned a gold medal at the 2015 European Global Challenge as a member of the USA Volleyball Junior National Team, and was also named to the All-Tournament team at the Girls Junior National Championship in 2013. She was twice named to the U.S. Women's Junior National Training Team roster in both 2013 and 2014, and was one of 27 finalists for the USA Volleyball Girls Youth National Team in 2013.
The Pasadena, Calif. native comes to Charleston following a stint as a coach with the Ocala Power United club program in Ocala, Fla. Knop also participated in a post-graduate internship in the University Athletic Association at the University of Florida, working with the accounting department, Gator Booster, the UF golf course, administration, and operations.
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