HAMPTON, Va. – Heading into her second season at the helm of the Hampton University volleyball program, head coach Karen Weatherington announces two new hires: Nicole Giancola as assistant coach and Petra Parros as Director of Operations.
Giancola and Parros join a staff that already includes Weatherington and second-year assistant coach Janay Yancey.
“We are thrilled to add Nicole and Petra to our team,” Weatherington said. “It is a great help to have solid additions to the staff. We are fortunate too have these talented women as part of our program.”
Giancola joins the Lady Pirates after spending last season as the head volleyball coach at Nansemond River High School in nearby Suffolk, Va. She took over a Warriors program that went 9-9 the season before and never advanced past the conference tournament, and in 2013, Nansemond River went 18-3 and was undefeated in conference play.
Her coaching career started while she was finishing her degree at the Florida Institute of Technology; she coach at Cocoa High School in Florida, on top of her duties as a coach with the Cape Coast Volleyball Club.
She graduated from Florida Tech after a year and a half, earning her degree in applied mathematics.
During her time at Florida Tech, Giancola did her undergraduate research on Mathematical Analysis of the Game of Volleyball, and she received the "Best in Show” award from Northrup Grumman at the senior design showcase.
Prior to Florida Tech, Giancola spent three years at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where she was an outside hitter. She led the team to an undefeated conference record, an ECAC championship, and the team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Div. III Tournament.
In just three seasons with the Bears, Giancola holds a spot in the record book for career kills.
“Nicole is a seasoned coach,” Weatherington said, “having brought success to Nansemond River, she adds incredible gym presence and knowledge.”
Parros joins the staff at her alma mater as she continues work on her 5-year MBA – having received her Bachelor’s degree this past May in business administration. She was also the recipient of the MEAC’s Post-Graduate Scholarship, and she was among 60 volleyball players nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
Parros helped the Lady Pirates win their first-ever MEAC Tournament title in 2013; as the Lady Pirates won 19 matches in claiming their first NCAA Div. I Tournament berth, Parros hit .241 and averaged 1.24 kills per set. She also totaled 64.0 total blocks as a senior.
She tallied a career-high 17 kills against Murray State in 2013, hitting .571.
Parros had 174 career blocks for the Lady Pirates, and she tallied a career-high seven total blocks twice in her senior season: against South Carolina State in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinals and in the championship match against Coppin State.
During Parros’ playing career, the Lady Pirates made three MEAC Tournament appearances, advancing to the semifinal round in both 2011 and 2012 before winning the title in 2013. Hampton’s semifinal appearance in 2011 marked the first time in program history that the Lady Pirates won a MEAC Tournament match.
Parros was a part of Hampton’s improvement the past several years; after winning seven matches in Parros’ freshman season, the Lady Pirates improved in 2011, winning 13 matches and going 7-5 in MEAC play. In Parros’ junior year, Hampton won 19 matches – tying a program Div. I record – and went 9-3 in the MEAC, before winning 19 matches again in 2013 with a 10-2 conference mark.
“Petra’s academic experience as a 5th year MBA student adds knowledge of the excellence the Hampton exemplifies,” Weatherington said.