Women's Volleyball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- mapeniata@bsu.edu
- Phone:
- 765.285.5671
Marci Peniata, who spent three seasons (2007-09) as an assistant coach for the Ball State women's volleyball team, was named assistant coach at St. Could State University on July 1, 2010.
In her three seasons with the Cardinals, Peniata helped guide Ball State to a 32-62 (17-31 Mid-American Conference) record, with the team's 15-16 overall mark in 2009 being the program's best since 2005. Her work with the BSU backcourt led the Cardinals to top-six rankings in the league's final defensive standings in each of her three years.
In 2007, the Cardinals finished fifth in the MAC with a 14.57 digs-per-set average, while the backcourt improved two spots in 2008, ranking third at 15.43. Ball State concluded the 2009 season ranked sixth in the league with a 14.71 digs-per-game average despite losing the team's starting libero, junior Alyssa Rio, for the entire non-conference slate due to an injury in the first match of the year. By the end of the season, Rio was back in form, picking up MAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades Nov. 9.
In addition to coaching the Cardinals, Peniata earned her master's degree in physical education and sports administration from Ball State in May of 2010.
"Marci has played at the highest level of college volleyball and will serve as a tremendous role model for our student-athletes" said BSU head coach Dave Boos upon hiring Peniata. "Marci has an elite understanding of the game and is a coaching natural. She believes in the vision for Ball State Volleyball and will make an immediate impact on our program."
Prior to joining the Ball State coaching staff, Peniata was a four-year letterwinner at Minnesota, where she was coached by Boos.
Peniata, who earned her bachelor's degree in business in 2007, finished her career at Minnesota (2003-06) ranked second on the school's all-time career digs list at 1,401. After leading the Big Ten with a 5.22 digs-per-game average her senior season, Peniata earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention accolades, was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was a First-Team All-Big Ten honoree.
Prior to her collegiate career, Peniata was a two-time AAU All-American (2001 & 2002) for the Kaepa Northern Lights Club, while being named an All-American at the 2000 Junior National Championships (16-Open) and picking up the "Best Setter" award at the 2002 National Junior Championships.
During her prep career at Armstrong High School in Plymouth, Minn., Peniata was an All-American and all-state player as a junior and senior. During her senior campaign, she led her team to an undefeated (29-0) record, while collecting 31 kills and 28 digs in the team's state championship victory over Eagan High School. As a junior, she collected a school-record 53 kills in one match.
A native of Plymouth, Minn., Peniata is the daughter of Kelly and Patty Peniata. She has nine siblings, with three older sisters and one younger sister who played collegiate volleyball, and five brothers.
