Charlotte, NC – Parkland volleyball head coach Cliff Hastings has been named the 2021 NJCAA Division II Volleyball Coach of the Year, presented by the Marines.
Hastings earned the coach of the year for the third time in the last seven seasons (2015, 2016). He continues to display hall of fame-caliber numbers at the helm of his squad, leading them to an impressive 56-3 overall record. He surpassed the 600-win mark mid-season, ending the season with 634 career wins to just 56 losses, good for a .919 winning percentage.
"Parkland College is extremely proud of coach Cliff Hastings in receiving this award. This honor is the culmination of countless hours that Cliff dedicates to helping his teams accomplish their goals. We at Parkland College are truly blessed to have Cliff leading our volleyball program and equally honored to know he is a part of our Cobra family" said Parkland Athletic Director Brendan McHale.
Hastings was also named the Region 24 Coach of the Year and saw two players earn First-Team All-America: Kat Blase and Sophie Young.
Parkland earned a bid to the national tournament as the No. 3 seed after defeating Lincoln Land in the Central A District final. In the first two rounds of the tournament, the Cobras swept Richard Bland and followed that up with a four-set victory over Terra State.
They then faced Iowa Central in the semifinal for the second consecutive season, earning the same fate as last season with a straight-set victory over the Tritons to clinch a spot in the championship game.
Hastings faced his toughest challenge of the season in the championship match, having to go against the only winless squad in Division II volleyball, Cowley, who entered the match 41-0 and had only lost three sets all season. The resilient head coach came up with the perfect game plan, handing Cowley its only loss of the season in four sets, and taking home the national title.
The Cobras saw three student-athletes earn all-tournament honors: freshman middle hitter Kat Blase, Tournament MVP; freshman middle hitter Jayden Sortor, All-Tournament Team; and freshman defensive specialist Josie Hess, All-Tournament Team.