Category Archives: Coventry

Emma Rose

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Emma Rose’s volleyball journey began with family. Inspired by watching her older sister, Marina, discover success in the sport, Emma first picked up a volleyball in middle school. What started as a shared interest quickly became a passion of her own, leading to an outstanding playing career that took her from Connecticut high school volleyball to one of the finest setter careers in Iona College (now Iona University) in New Rochelle, New York , where she enjoyed one of the finest setter careers in program history before returning to the game as a coach, mentor, and volleyball broadcaster at Fairfield University.

Emma began her volleyball career with the Husky Volleyball Club before continuing at Coventry High School and later competing for the Connecticut Juniors Club. At Coventry, she established herself as one of Connecticut’s premier players while competing in the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class S. A four-year varsity starter and team captain in both junior and senior year, she was named her team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), earned four North Central Connecticut Conference (NCCC) All-Conference selections and three Connecticut All-State honors, and was selected MVP of the Senior All-Star Game. Emma was coached at Coventry by Ryan Giberson, while Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame Class of 2017 inductee Mike Brienza, her club coach with the Connecticut Juniors, played a particularly influential role in her development. Believing in Emma’s potential to compete at the Division I level, Brienza encouraged her to pursue that opportunity and helped pave the way for her collegiate career.

Emma continued her career at Iona, where she became one of the most accomplished setters in program history under head coach Patric Santiago. A four-year contributor and floor leader, she graduated as Iona’s all-time assists leader in the rally-scoring era and ranked second all-time overall with 3,260 career assists. She averaged 7.69 assists per set throughout her collegiate career, ranking seventh in program history, while also finishing second in service attempts (1,646), ninth in services aces (120), and appearing in 424 career sets, the ninth-most in program history at the time of her graduation.

Emma’s senior season in 2018 stands among the finest individual seasons in Iona volleyball history. She was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Setter of the Year while earning All-MAAC First Team, MAAC Championship Team, and MAAC All-Academic Team honors. She also received MAAC Player of the Week recognition and finished the season ranked 11th nationally in assists per set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), averaging 11.65. Her 1,188 assists ranked fourth in Iona single-season history, while her assists-per-set average established a new program record. During the season, Emma became Iona’s all-time career assists leader in the rally-scoring era and delivered several remarkable performances, including 58 assists against Canisius University, 57 against Rider University, and 53 in the MAAC Championship match against Canisius. She concluded her senior campaign with 10 double-doubles, a career-high 207 digs, and a personal-best 19 digs against Rider.

Beyond her outstanding playing career, Emma has remained deeply committed to the growth of volleyball. Since graduating from Iona, she has continued to play competitively while coaching youth and adult athletes through clinics in New York City and at collegiate summer camps. Passionate about developing the next generation of players, she has dedicated herself to mentoring young athletes and sharing the lessons she learned throughout her own volleyball journey. In 2023, she further expanded her contributions by serving as a guest speaker on leadership and team culture and as a color commentator for the MAAC Women’s Volleyball Championship hosted at Fairfield University.

Through her outstanding achievements as a player, her dedication as a coach and mentor, and her continued service to the sport, Emma Rose has built a legacy that extends well beyond her accomplishments on the court. Whether coaching young athletes, mentoring the next generation, or serving as a color commentator, her passion for volleyball, commitment to developing others, and love of the game continue to inspire future generations while helping strengthen the future of volleyball in Connecticut.

 

Jennifer Brigham Myshrall

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Jennifer Brigham Myshrall attended Coventry High School beginning in 1992 where she was a three-sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and softball all four years. She originally liked basketball the most and won many awards, including the Robert E. Lee Outstanding Freshman Athlete Award, Scholar Athlete Award, Most Improved Award and the Most Valuable Player Award. Jennifer was also selected to play in numerous Connecticut High School All Star Games. During the four-years she was in high school, the Coventry Girls’ Basketball team made it to at least the state quarter finals every year. She also played Junior Nationals Basketball. Despite all these basketball accomplishments, volleyball quickly became the sport she had the most passion for.

Jennifer received her first formal volleyball instruction as a freshman at Coventry High School playing for Pete Maneggia. He was an excellent coach and his knowledge and love for the game was quickly passed on. He was also the assistant coach to Deb Adams for the three-years Jennifer played on varsity and continued to encourage her to push harder and become a better volleyball player. For three-years, under the late, great Sandy Hoffman at Bentley Volleyball Camp, Jennifer further added skill, knowledge, and increased her love of the game. By her Junior year in high school, Jennifer was a team leader in blocks and kills and was selected to play with the Eastern Connecticut State University team vs. the #2 National Pro Men’s Volleyball team. As a senior she was selected to the State All Star Team and after graduating high school competed in the Nutmeg State Games the Summer before college.

Pace University awarded Jennifer a volleyball scholarship where she went on to lead the Pace Setters to the best four-year stretch in Pace University volleyball history. Arguably the program’s best defensive player ever, she currently sits atop the record book in every blocking category. In fact, her total block mark of 708 sits 194 above second place. Of that total, 396 were solo blocks, also the most in school history.

Not only stellar on defense, Jennifer posted a .285 career hitting percentage, the third highest ever, while also ranking in the top-four in career kills, digs, and matches played. In addition to the individual numbers, Pace went a remarkable 130-39 in Jennifer’s four-years on the team. The Setters made the NCAA Tournament in all four of the seasons, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 1996 and 1997, as well as making a run to the Elite Eight in 1998.

As a freshman, Jennifer helped the Blue and Gold to a New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Playoff title, the first championship in a decorated four-year span.  The Setters went on to win the NE10 Playoff Championships in 1997 and 1999, as well as winning the NE10 Regular-Season title in 1998. As a sophomore, Jennifer recorded 124 solo blocks, a new program record. The following season, Jennifer was named to the NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament First Team, as well as the AVCA All-Region, and All-NE 10 Second Team.

Jennifer saved her best work for last as a senior, being named NE10 Player of the Year, selected as the NE10 Tournament MVP and to the All-Tournament Team, and as Pace University’s Female Athlete of the Year. She broke her own solo season block record with 158, which remains the most in program history. Jennifer also posted a .320 hitting percentage and 582 kills during her senior season. Jennifer was inducted into the Pace University Hall of Fame in 2019.

Since graduating, Jennifer has worked as a Psychiatric Nurse. She has continued to play volleyball on various women’s teams, in leagues and at tournaments. Most recently playing in the Open National Championship in Dallas, Texas in 2023. Jennifer has been a volunteer coach back in her home town of Coventry, Connecticut and has played in many charity volleyball events, the most notable being with Fran Vandermeer in the Cathy D’Apice Memorial for over ten years. In 2021 Jennifer began working as a coach for the Husky Volleyball Club in Windsor, Connecticut where she has shared her knowledge, experience and love of the game with many new young volleyball players.

Marina Rose

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Marina Rose

Marina Rose attended Coventry High School where she earned three varsity letters in track and field and four varsity letters in basketball and volleyball.

Marina’s greatest accomplishments were earned playing volleyball. She was named captain of the volleyball team in both her junior and senior year. During her four years on the team, Coventry won four consecutive Class S State Championships. In those championships, she was named the Most Valuable Player in three of the four state championship matches.

In 2013, Marina was named the Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year, as well as the MaxPreps Small Schools High School Volleyball Player of the Year. Marina now attends Providence College and is a junior. She plays on the volleyball team and this year she earned the title of captain.

Marina studies Health Policy and Management at Providence College and wants to pursue medicine after her years at Providence to become an Obstetrician. Her younger sister, Emma is currently playing volleyball at Iona College and is a freshman. Marina loves to play beach volleyball doubles with Emma and enjoys coaching when she can.

Matthew Hurlock

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hurlock

When Matt Hurlock started coaching at Coventry in 2001, his first season ended with his team 6-21. Things were about to change. Just two years later, in 2003, Coventry won their first Class S State Championship.

Since 2003, Coventry has played in eight consecutive Class S finals. They won seven titles from 2003-2010, finishing 2nd in 2005. Those years also included four undefeated seasons and an 84 match winning streak from ’06-’08.

In 2010, Coventry finished their fourth undefeated season (24-0) as state champions and became the first small school to ever be voted #1 in Connecticut.

During is career, Marr was awarded the High School Coach of the Year for girls volleyball  by the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance and in 2010 he was awarded the Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Assoc.

Hartford Courant
Hartford Courant: Matthew J. Hurlock Gymnasium Dedication Ceremony