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University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Volleyball Adds Stemke to Coaching Staff
June 28, 2005 | Volleyball
June 28, 2005
Elizabeth Fitzgerald Stemke was recently added to the Univeristy of North Carolina volleyball coaching staff, head coach Joe Sagula announced Tuesday. Stemke joins Erin Lindsey in replacing former assistants Jim Lodes and Jill Lytle-Wilson.
Stemke is a 2004 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where she was a four-year letterwinner from 1998-2001. The 2001 Big Ten Player of the Year, Stemke led the Badgers to back-to-back league titles as well as the 2000 national championship match. Stemke twice earned All-America honors as a setter during her college career.
After four years at Wisconsin, Stemke spent three years with the United States National Team. In 2002, she was a member of the silver medal-winning team at the World Championships. She also helped the U.S. team win bronze at the 2003 Pan-American Games. Following her time with the national team, Stemke spent two seasons playing professionally. In 2003, she was named the MVP of the Puerto Rican League. She then spent one season playing in the Pro A League in France.
"I am delighted to announce the addition of Lizzy Stemke to our coaching staff," Sagula said. "She brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge as a top collegiate player along with her international playing experience. She is an excellent teacher of the game, having conducted clinics and camps throughout the country."
Stemke also has experience coaching both at the collegiate and club levels. She spent the 2003 season as a volunteer assistant at the University of Central Florida. During her time in Florida, Stemke also co-founded the Team Orlando Volleyball Club and acted as its head recruiter and setter and defense clinic coordinator. She has also spent time working with the Wisconsin Power Volleyball Club, as well as the All-American Volleyball Camps. Most recently, Stemke founded the Next Level Volleyball Camp, a summer skills camp for young players.
"Lizzy is a very bright young coach who will bring a wealth of experience and add to the winning tradition of our program," Sagula said. "She is a leader as a player and possesses the work ethic and qualities we look for in all our coaches at Carolina. She will be responsible for training our hitters and our setters along with coach Erin Lindsey, and will play a important role in developing our team's overall defense. Lizzy comes from a great family of athletes and coaches and will be a great addition to our UNC program. We welcome her and her husband Kevin Stemke to the Tar Heel family."
