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 | Hometown:
Tiffin, Ohio
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| Position:
Assistant Coach
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| Experience:
3rd year at UM
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| Alma Mater:
Georgia Tech, 2005
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Laura Kuhn will begin her third year as an assistant coach for the Hurricanes volleyball team in 2010. A four-year letterwinner at Georgia Tech from 2001-2004, Kuhn joined the UM program in the summer of 208 after stints as an assistant coach at Appalachian State and Florida State.
In her duties with the University of Miami, Kuhn assists in player development on and off the court, and is the recruiting coordinator for the Hurricanes. She also serves in a number of areas pertaining to the day-to-day operations of the program.
Last season, Kuhn - known affectionately as "Bird" to the UM athletics family - assisted in Miami advancing to its second NCAA Tournament berth since the program was brought back in 2001. Along the way, the `Canes won the Hampton Inn & Suites Tournament hosted by the University of Northern Colorado, as well as taking second place in the Hurricane Invitational hosted by UM.
Kuhn helped in coaching Lane Carico and Cassie Loessberg to the All-ACC Team, in addition to the All-AVCA East Region Team. For those achievements, both student-athletes were chosen as honorable mention All-America choices by the AVCA. Kuhn also helped in Miami collecting two-of-three wins as part of the Miami/FIU Invitational co-hosted by UM and FIU, respectively. In that tournament, the `Canes defeated NCAA Tournament participant Middle Tennessee State, and America East Conference undefeated champion University of Albany.
"Laura is involved in every aspect of our program," exclaims Lantagne Welch. "She keeps everything going smoothly in the office and the energy high in the gym. She heads up our recruiting efforts, and her personable, easy-going way allows her to positively connect with every recruit."
In 2008, she helped in the Hurricanes posting their best overall record (26-6) since 2002, and the best Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) record in school history going 14-6 in league play.
Defensively, the Hurricanes posted the highest digs total (1,958) for a single-season in 2008, while also registering the highest digs per set count in UM history (16.88).
"Laura is willing to work as hard as possible to bring great success to our team," continues Lantagne Welch. "She combines a great attitude with a great mind for the game. Her experiences as a player has her able to relate well to our players, yet still challenge them to be their best."
Kuhn arrived at Miami after a stint as assistant coach at FSU during the 2008 spring season. Prior to her time at Florida State, Kuhn was an assistant at Appalachian State. In 2007 with the Mountaineers, Kuhn coached the Southern Conference Player of the Year, Brittany Zahn, and worked under Matt Ginipro who was the SoCon Coach of the Year after Appalachian State finished 14-2. During her time at ASU, Kuhn trained outside hitters, oversaw defensive systems and passing and handled administrative duties in addition to recruiting.
The two previous years, Kuhn spent coaching A5 Club teams in Atlanta as the head coach of a team consisting of 17-year-olds in 2006 and as an assistant with the 14-year-old club in 2005.
During her four years playing at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets won three ACC regular season championships, one ACC tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons playing. The teams advanced to the "Sweet 16" and "Elite Eight" in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Kuhn played the right side position her final three years at Georgia Tech, starting all three seasons.
A native of Tiffin, Ohio, Kuhn was a two-sport standout athlete at Calvert High School, where she excelled at both volleyball and basketball. While in high school, Kuhn earned Junior Olympic All-America honors for the Toledo Volleyball Club in 2000.
Kuhn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Georgia Tech in 2005.
