UCI Promotes Connolly to Volleyball Coach

Merja Connolly, an assistant coach for the last two years, has been named UC Irvine women’s volleyball coach, replacing Mike Puritz, who retired after 16 years.

Connolly was the head women’s coach at Cornell in 1992 and ‘93, leading the Big Red to the Ivy League title both years and into the NCAA tournament in 1993. A middle blocker, she was team captain of the UCLA team that won the 1984 NCAA championship. She played professional volleyball in the U.S. and Italy after graduation.

Connolly is the daughter of Harold (Hal) Connolly, who won an Olympic gold medal in the hammer throw in 1956, and Olga Fikotova, who won Olympic gold in the discus for Czechoslovakia the same year. Olga Connolly competed in four more Olympics for the U.S.

“I’m honored to be Mike Puritz’s successor and the letters U.C. have always been special to me as a respected university,” Connolly said. “I’m looking forward to serving as a head coach in a terrific athletic department.”

The Anteaters were 7-19, 4-14 in Big West Conference this season, but Athletic Director Dan Guerrero is expecting a change in fortunes.

“She was a fabulous player and a winner at every level,” he said. “Her passion, enthusiasm, leadership abilities and technical expertise as a coach will surely take our program to the next level.”