Head Women's Volleyball Coach Karen McNulty Announces Retirement

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State head women's volleyball coach Karen McNulty has announced her decision to retire from coaching after leading the Vikings for the past eight seasons. Said McNulty, "I really enjoyed my time at Salem State, but I feel that my time to wrap it up as a collegiate coach is at hand. I want to thank the current players and past alumni for their loyalty and commitment to me and the Viking volleyball program. I would like to thank [athletic director] Nicolle Wood and the administration for the unending support they provided. I will miss the relationships with both our student-athletes and staff members. I will continue to support and work for the program until my replacement is found."

McNulty enjoyed her best season at Salem State in 2018, earning MASCAC Champion's Choice Co-Coach of the Year, after leading Salem State to its best record in 16 seasons as the Vikings totalled 14 wins, including a 5-2 conference mark and second-place finish, which was the team's best standing since 2002. Salem State's 25 combined wins in 2017 and 18 were the most since the team won a combined 34 matches during the 2001 & 2002 seasons.

McNulty arrived at Salem State in 2017 after successful head coaching stints at UMass Lowell and Daniel Webster. She led the River Hawks to six NCAA Division II Tournaments during her 21-year career, which included a Northeast-10 Conference championship and coach of the year honors. As coach of the Eagles, she was named the 2016 New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year before joining Salem State the following season.  

Athletic Director Nicolle Wood thanked McNulty for her leadership during her time at Salem State and cited her for all she has accomplished during her career. "Coach McNulty has been part of our program and community for almost a decade. In her time at SSU and her overall career as a coach she has found success because of her experience and dedication to her team's preparation and growth. We will miss her competitive spirit and are grateful for her commitment to our student-athletes."  

A search for a new part-time head women's volleyball coach will begin immediately. Interested applicants can apply here.