|
Colorado native Liz Kritza was named the fourth head volleyball coach in University of Colorado history on February 10, 2009. She is currently in her third year at the helm of the program.
She came to CU after a very successful four-year stint at Tulane, where she led the Green Wave to an overall record of 76-39 and a Conference USA record of 41-21. Under Kritza's watch, the Green Wave won its first conference championship in 2008 and tied a C-USA record with 15 wins. Tulane earned its first berth to the NCAA Tournament after winning both the C-USA regular season and tournament championships. Tulane advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament after defeating Tennessee Tech in four sets but fell to Western Michigan in the second round.
 |
In 2007 and 08, Kritza was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Midwest Region Coach of the Year after guiding Tulane to 28-6 record both years. The Green Wave recorded its first win over a ranked team in over a decade by defeating then-14th-ranked Middle Tennessee in five sets in 2008. In the process, Tulane also set a school record with 17 straight victories and increased the program's home winning streak to 24 straight at Fogelman Arena. The Green Wave has not dropped a home match since Oct. 29, 2006.
The 2008 season also brought other recognition to Kritza. She was named the C-USA Co-Coach of the Year and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year, both for the second straight season.
Kritza took the over the reins of the Green Wave program in 2005 and had played just one match before Hurricane Katrina hit. The team had to relocate to College Station, Texas, and had to cancel 10 non-conference matches due to the pending arrival of Hurricane Rita. Despite finishing with a 3-15 overall record, the Green Wave got it together at the C-USA Tournament and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since the 1997 season.
 |
Under her tutelage, Kritza had four players earn eight AVCA All-America honors. Three athletes were also named the AVCA Midwest Freshmen of the Year. Sara Radosevic, who was named an All-American all four years, was the first Tulane volleyball player to be named the C-USA Player of the Year in 2008.
Kritza became the seventh head coach at Tulane in 2005. She served as the top assistant/recruiting coordinator from 2001-04. Kritza was a volunteer assistant for one season (2000) and served as a student assistant (1999) after completing her eligibility.
As a player for the Green Wave, Kritza led C-USA as a junior with 1.41 blocks per game. That season she set a single-season school record with 154 block assists and led the team to its first C-USA semi-final appearance. Kritza was voted the team captain as a senior and led the Green Wave once again with 121 blocks. She finished her career at TU ranking fifth in blocks (319) and eighth in hitting percentage (.222).
Kritza graduated from Tulane in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in finance and cell biology and is pursuing a master's in business administration.
Kritza was born in Colorado Springs and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1995. Her brother, Ted, played on the CU basketball team for two seasons from 1994-96 before transferring to Tulane.
The Kritza File
PERSONAL
Born: Oct. 10, 1977
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
High School: St. Mary’s, 1995
College: Tulane University, 2000, B.S. Finance & Cell Biology
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Tulane University (1995-98)
Boulder Volleyball Club (1994-95)
Colorado Springs Volleyball Club (1991-94)
St. Mary’s High School (1991-94)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Head Coach, Colorado (2009-present)
Head Coach, Tulane (2005-2008)
Top Assistant/Recruiting Coordinator, Tulane (2001-04)
Volunteer Assistant, Tulane (2000)
Student Assistant, Tulane (1999)
Head Coach, USVBA/Colorado Elite (1994-95)
Assistant, Divine Redeemer Middle School, Colorado Springs (1991-93)
|
