Laurie LaRusso, the winningest coaching leader in Connecticut high school girls' volleyball history, is resigning from Darien College.
The school announced Wednesday morning on the CIAC website that it was seeking a new coach for the girls' volleyball team, which was later confirmed by LaRusso and athletic director Chris Manfredonia. LaRusso declined further comment.
LaRusso joined the Darien women's volleyball program in 1982. She led the Blue Wave for her 42 seasons and from 2001 she won her 19 state championships including her nine straight from 2009 and her 24 FCIAC titles. Obtained. Her team went 19-2 in the state finals, and her overall record was 800-131, a winning percentage of .859.
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Seven of her players were named the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and three more were named the Connecticut Coaches Association Player of the Year. She also led the Blue Wave to two perfect seasons, without losing a set, in 2007 and 2009. Darien was undefeated the past two seasons and had a 50-game winning streak.
LaRusso's last game as girls volleyball coach was a 3-0 victory over Southington in the Class LL championship in November. This was her 800th career win.
“She's an iconic, legendary, Hall of Fame coach,” Manfredonia said. “She was so much more than that. I can't say enough great things about Laurie. She hated talking about herself. She always wanted to focus on her children. .”
Mr. LaRusso currently coaches the Blue Wave boys volleyball team, which is 13-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class L and FCIAC. She has coached that program since 2006 and has won eight FCIAC and eight state titles.
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Priscilla Schultz, who coached volleyball at New Canaan from 1978 to 2002, said LaRusso set the bar high for both the Darien program and New Canaan State volleyball.
“She set the standard,” Schultz said. “What she did with the program will never be surpassed. She ran the program the right way and we continued to get quality athletes because of that.
“When I wasn't playing against her, I loved watching her team play. I loved the chemistry and how the kids played for each other and for her.” He instilled a great team concept in all his players.”
Trumbull and Darien have met in the past two FCIAC finals and the 2022 Class LL final. Eagles coach Nicole Trommelen said LaRusso brought out the best in her as a coach.
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“She has built a winning culture based on playing the game the right way. I have the utmost respect for her and the program she has built,” Tromelen said. “It’s great to see her bring out the best in all of her players every year, but I honestly feel like she brings out the best in me as a coach.
“It was a true honor to share the court with her on some of the biggest stages over the last few years, and I will really miss coaching with her.”
Mike Smeriglio, coach of the Stanford women's volleyball and Westhill men's volleyball teams, said it's hard to explain what LaRusso accomplished.
“What she did was unparalleled,” Smeriglio said. “The fact that she's been able to continue to do that year after year is amazing. She's been a huge contributor to the success of (Connecticut) women's volleyball.”
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Since 1982, LaRusso has used his inspirational poem “The Man In The Glass” to motivate and encourage his players.
After winning last year's state finals, she said, “It's all about doing your best and at the end of the day, look in the mirror and tell that person you did your best today so you don't have any regrets.” .