Mike Wilton, UH men's volleyball coach, here cradling the 2002 championship trophy, was named Tachikara/American Volleyball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Advertiser library photo • May 10, 2002

"What this means is I have a great team, a great coaching staff, a great manager, a great trainer and a great sports information director," Wilton said. "This is a great honor for our team and staff."

Wilton was named Volleyball Magazine's coach of the year in 1995. The magazine's editors selected that award; the Tachikara/AVCA award was selected by the sport's 41 Division I and II head coaches.

The Warriors culminated a 24-8 season with a four-game victory over Pepperdine in the title match of the NCAA Championships at University Park, Pa. It was the third 20-victory season in Wilton's 10 years as UH head coach.

Wilton will receive his award at December's AVCA national convention in New Orleans.

"It's well-deserved," said Penn State coach Mark Pavlik, whose school served as the final four host. "I think everything Mike achieved this year ­everything his guys achieved ­ this caps off a great year for him. I'm really pleased the rest of the coaches recognized the job he did."