Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Volleyball Head Coach Cindy Opalski Inducted into Connecticut Scholastic Women's Volleyball Hall of Fame
12/21/2006 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Dec. 21, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell volleyball head coach Cindy Opalski was recognized recently for her years of success in the sport as she was inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic Women's Volleyball Hall of Fame (CSWVHF) as the former head coach of Maloney High School in Meriden, Conn.
The CSWVHF was founded in 1997 to honor the achievements of those who have contributed to the enhancement of women's volleyball in Connecticut. Opalski was one of six inductees in the Class of 2006, which included two scholastic players, two scholastic coaches, a collegiate player, and an honorary inductee.
Earlier this year, Opalski was named to the Francis T. Maloney High School Hall of Fame, where she played on Maloney's first Connecticut state championship team in 1971 and helped win another in 1973. The '71 team became the foundation of the Maloney volleyball program that has gone on to capture 13 state championships over a span of three decades. As head coach for Maloney from 1979-1985, Opalski led the school to two state titles. Her resume there included six undefeated regular seasons and an eye-popping overall record of 147-11.
Since coming to Bucknell, Opalski has transformed the Bison volleyball program into one of the top programs in the East. Bucknell made NCAA Tournament appearances in both 1998 and 2000 and has averaged nearly 17 victories over the last 14 seasons.
Under Opalski the Bison were recognized as the most improved team in the nation by Volleyball Monthly in 1993; recorded the best record in school history in 1995 at 26-7; won the first-ever Patriot League automatic bid to the 1998 NCAA Tournament; and in 2003, posted a school-record 11 Patriot League wins en route to a second-place finish. Bucknell has won four of the last 12 Patriot League regular season titles under Opalski, who was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 1997, 2000 and 2003.
This fall, Opalski earned her 250th win as Bucknell's head coach when the Bison defeated Lafayette, 3-2, at home on Oct. 27. Her career record now stands at 346-286.
Just having completed her 20th season as a collegiate head coach, Opalski wrote essentially the same script at Clarion University. In her four years there (1986-1989), Opalski led Clarion to a record of 92-46 and the school's first-ever conference title in 1988. She was selected as the AVCA Coach of the Year in the Atlantic Region, and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year during her tenure there.
Opalski graduated from Southern Connecticut State in 1977 and earned a Master of Science degree from that school in 1984. A savvy outside hitter for the Owls, she played in two AIAW national tournaments and captained the squad in her senior year.
Opalski worked with the U.S. Volleyball Junior Olympic Program in the 1980s, coaching the Connecticut team at numerous national qualifiers. For five years she coached and trained some of the top players that have ever come out of the Nutmeg State.
