KINGS POINT, N.Y. (March 14, 2023) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz announced that Tony Nocera has joined the staff as the next head coach of the women's volleyball team. Nocera officially came on board earlier this month.
 
"We are excited to have Coach Nocera lead our women's volleyball program as we prepare to head into the 2023-24 season," said Schnatz. "He is an enthusiastic recruiter who will work hard to re-energize our program both on and off the court."
 
Nocera comes to Kings Point after serving as the head women's volleyball coach at Mitchell College this past 2022 campaign. He led the Mariners to a turnaround season, going from 6-16 in 2021 (the season before his arrival), to a 12-11 record in the regular season in 2022. The Mariners' final 12-12 record was only the second time in program history they produced a record of .500 or better.
 
Thanks to Nocera's guidance, Mitchell boasted three First Team All-Conference selections in the New England Collegiate Conference, as well as the first major award winner in school history when freshman Julia Lent was named NECC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Prior to his stop in New London, Nocera had spent the previous nine years as the head coach of the varsity girls' volleyball program at New Milford High School. During that span his teams had won 87 games and qualified for the state tournament five times. In his final season, he guided the Green Wave to a 12-8 regular season record and the school's first state tournament victory since 2008.
 
In addition to his coaching duties at New Milford, Nocera had served as an assistant for the boys' volleyball team at Newtown High School for seven seasons. He also spent four years as a head coach with CT Stars Volleyball, which is the longest-running club team in Fairfield County.
 
Nocera has been employed as a physical education teacher in the state of Connecticut since 2006, with the bulk of his time spent in the New Milford public school district.
 
"My family and I are honored and thrilled to be joining the USMMA family," commented Nocera. "I would love to thank Kristofer Schnatz, the administrative team and the hiring committee for their trust and belief in what we can accomplish together. I look forward to continuing the tremendous success that the volleyball program and athletic department have achieved. I am excited for the opportunity and can't wait to get started!"
 
A native of Bristol, Conn., Nocera graduated with a degree in physical education and health from Eastern Connecticut State University before earning a master's in education and athletic coaching from Northcentral University. He currently resides in New Milford with his wife, Nicole, and his children, Josephine and Dame.
 
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