Cirillo resigns as SDSU head volleyball coach

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BROOKINGS – South Dakota State head volleyball coach Nicole Cirillo resigned, the school announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Jackrabbits went 26-118 (.181 win percentage) in five seasons under Cirillo, posting a 14-64 record in Summit League matches and never finishing better than tied for seventh in the conference standings.

“I thank Nicole for her efforts over these last five years and wish her nothing but the best in the future,” Director of Athletics Justin Sell told SDSU Sports Information.

2019 – 6-22 (3-13, tie-8th)

2018 – 6-23 (3-13, 8th)

2017 – 2-25 (0-14, 8th)

2016 – 5-23 (4-12, 8th)

2015 – 7-25 (4-12, tie-7th)

TOTAL – 26-118 (14-64)

SDSU lost 22 consecutive league matches between 2016-18 – the fourth-longest streak in conference history.

The Jackrabbits were 6-27 (0-16) the year prior to Cirillo’s arrival. They went 3-22 (3-11) in 2013. They had a 23-match league losing streak between 2013-15 – the third-longest in conference history.

SDSU’s last winning season came in 2012 – 16-13 (8-8). It last qualified for the Summit League tournament in 2010 after going 16-14 (12-6).

SDSU fast-tracked its volleyball program when transitioning to the Division I level and the Jackrabbits took advantage, going 25-11 and winning the Summit League regular-season (13-3 record) and postseason titles to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in their first year of DI eligibility in 2007.

Andrew Palileo went 154-86 from 2001-07. The Jackrabbits were the Division II national runners-up in 2001.

Nanabah Allison-Brewer was 36-48 from 2008-10 and Phil McDaniel – previously an assistant under Palileo – was 45-82 from 2011-14.

Prior to Palileo, Mary Byrne posted a 175-88 record from 1993-2000. She is SDSU’s career leader in wins, while Ruth Marske (172-108 from 1973-1980) is second and Palileo third.

A national search for Cirillo’s replacement is underway, the school said.