BY ADRIANA CONTE
UCLA Club Sports Beat Writer
The Bruins concluded their 2019 season with a personal victory at the National Tournament this past weekend.
UCLA Women's Club Volleyball coach Quinn Costello and assistant coach Alex Seyle were collectively named NCVF D1 Women's Coach of the Year.
"It's even more special to us because we know that our team nominated us for this award," Costello said. "So knowing that they appreciated everything we tried to do for them this year and took it to heart makes it that much more meaningful."
This is Costello's first year coaching the women's A-team, formerly serving as the women's B-Team coach for the past two seasons. Seyle graduated from UCLA last year after playing in the program herself. She played with all but three of the women who are currently on the team, and now is experiencing the coaching role for her first season.
"Coming into it, I know a little bit about how people react to certain situations because everyone's a little different," Seyle said. "Going into it already knowing most of the players at a very different kind of level than any other coach would is actually helpful."
Women's Volleyball President
Danica Moeller nominated the coaches for the award. She said the way that Costello was able to transform the team and help them improve from last year is what makes him so deserving of the accomplishment.
"We have basically the same team as last year, and we went from losing and silver, to being third in our division," Moeller said. "So just the way that (Costello) was able to turn the program around makes it way more of an accomplishment for him."
The Bruins had a successful season under Costello and Seyle this year, winning the D1 SCCVL League Championships in March. Both coaches said the powerful dynamic and chemistry of this team is what makes them so successful and enjoyable to coach.
"I've never coached a team that cares more about each other than this team does and got along so well," Costello said. "So they really did bring that chemistry to the court and continually pushed each other to get better throughout the year."
Costello and Seyle will return to coach the Bruins next season, and look to continue their positive influence on their players.
