July 13, 1999

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke athletic director Joe Alleva has announced that Jolene Nagel has been named the head volleyball coach for the Blue Devils. Nagel joins the Duke staff after seven seasons as the head coach at Georgetown University and 11 years at the helm of a collegiate program. She replaces Linda Grensing who left Duke to take the head coaching position at Iowa State.

"We are extremely pleased to have added to our staff such an experienced and quality coach," said Alleva. "Jolene will bring new enthusiasm and national success to our program."

Nagel, a 1983 graduate of Edinboro University, owns a career record of 204-134. She took over the Georgetown in 1992 and collected 119 wins during her stint with the Hoyas. In 1998, she led Georgetown to the most successful season in school history and earned Big East and District I Coach of the Year honors. Ranked No. 1 in District I all season, the Hoyas collected a 24-6 overall record and a 10-1 conference mark last year. Georgetown was the Big East co-champions for the first time in school history and received a bid to the NCAA Tournament, another first for the program. Nagels team produced the Big East Player and Rookie of the Year.

Prior to taking over at Georgetown, Nagel spent four seasons as the head coach at Cornell University where she posted an 86-36 overall record and a 27-5 mark in Ivy League play. Cornell finished first in the Ivy League regular season three times and won the tournament championship in 1991, earning a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship her final year.

"Im thrilled to be the next volleyball coach at Duke University," said Nagel. "The opportunity to work at a school like Duke that balances academics and athletics is an environment Ive always aspired and worked to be in."