Imperiale to Lead the Florida Wave in US Open Championships

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Tampa volleyball assistant coaches Brian Imperiale and Kaylee Koetter will coach the Florida Wave in the US Open Championships in Orlando, Fla. beginning May 28.  This is the second season that Imperiale will helm the Florida Wave in the US Open Championships and the first season that fellow UT assistant coach Koetter will join him.

"I'm thrilled to be back for a second season with the Wave and it's a great experience to work with these players," said Florida Wave head coach Imperiale. "Not only have they played for great college programs, but they now compete professionally all over the world."

The Spartans will also have a former student-athlete in the competition, as two-time AVCA First Team All-American Jessica Wagner will compete under the leadership of her former UT coaches.

"We have a great staff this year and it makes even a little sweeter that I get to work with Kaylee [Koetter] and Jessica [Wagner]," said Imperiale. "Wagner had a great career at UT and I'm excited to get the chance to coach her again with this group. Kaylee is just starting her coaching career but you can tell she's going to do great things."

Koetter returned to her alma mater in 2015 as an assistant coach after spending four years with the program from 2010-14.  The former setter helped guide the program to a 27-6 record and Tampa's 25^th Sunshine State Conference championship.  The Spartans earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA South Regional, reaching the semifinals of the regional tournament.

"I am so grateful to Brian for the opportunity to be a part of his Florida Wave staff this year," said Koetter. "I can't wait to contribute in any way to help our team win. I am really excited for a fun weekend of high-level volleyball in this tournament."

Joining Wagner on the roster is two-time AVCA Division II National Player of the Year and three time AVCA All-America selection Samantha Middleborn of Cal State-San Bernandino.  The Florida Wave features 10 former Division I student-athletes that have combined for three AVCA All-America selections in addition to a pair of premier Division II student-athletes that have five All-America honors.

The PVL division of the tournament will span from Saturday, May 28 to Tuesday, May 31 with 12 total teams in competition.  The 578 team, 34 division tournament is hosted by the Florida Region and will take place in Orlando, Fla. at the Orange County Convention Center.

Florida Wave Roster
Alexa Dannemiller, S – Michigan
Raymariely Santos, S – Arkansas
Samantha Middleborn, MB – Cal State-San Bernandino
Aiyana Whitney, MB/OPP – Penn State
Jessica Wagner, MB/OPP – Tampa
Erin Fairs, OH – Louisville
Megan Courtney, OH – Penn State
Nicole Walch, OH – Florida State
Lindsay Stalzer, OH/OPP – Bradley
Katie Mosher, L – Florida State
Kori Moster, L – Michigan State
Elizabeth McMahon, OPP – Illinois 

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Brian Imperiale - Tampa
Assistant Coach: Travers Green – South Florida
Assistant Coach: Jon Wong – Tennesse
Assistant Coach: Julie Darty – Jacksonville
Assistant Coach: Kaylee Koetter – Tampa

Click here for more tournament information

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/tampaspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans) , Vimeo (www.vimeo.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (www.youtube.com/utathletics) and Instagram (tampaspartans). 

UT also offers free messaging service for text and/or email, which sends alerts and press releases for Spartan teams. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com. A free app is also available for free download through Apple and Google Play stores. Please search for Tampa Spartans Front Row.