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LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Athletic Director Dana Skinner named Resa Provanzano head coach of the River Hawk women's volleyball program on Tuesday afternoon.
 
"We are excited to welcome Resa to the River Hawk family," said Skinner. "She brings a wealth of Division I coaching and playing experience, which will be a tremendous asset as we build a successful volleyball program."

Provanzano has spent the last six years (2008-2013) as an assistant coach at Northeastern University under head coach Ken Nichols in the Colonial Athletic Association. While with the Huskies, she helped the team to an impressive 113-58 overall record (.661 winning pct.), three CAA Championship Game appearances, two CAA regular-season titles in 2008 and 2011 and two 20-win seasons.  Provanzano served as recruiting coordinator for the Huskies and assisted in the day to day operations of the program, which included practice plans, scheduling, scouting, budget management and team travel.
 
"I am thrilled to be joining the UMass Lowell Community and I relish the opportunity to guide the volleyball program through its transition into Division I and the America East Conference," said Provanzano.  "It is an exciting time to be part of the River Hawk Athletic Department.  I look forward to creating a winning culture and an environment that will develop exceptional student-athletes within the volleyball program. I have had tremendous mentors throughout my coaching career and I believe that my experience, combined with my passion for the sport, will serve me well as we bring in a new era to UMass Lowell volleyball."
 
She has amassed an overall record of 185-89 and nine straight winning seasons as an assistant coach at the Division I level. Provanzano has trained 24 All-Conference selections, including three Conference Players of the Year, five Rookie of the Year athletes and one two-time Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Prior to Northeastern, Provanzano was an assistant for two seasons (2006-07) at Alabama-Birmingham where she helped lead the Blazers to a 51-20 record in a two-year span. In 2006, the school captured its first Conference USA championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. The Blazers followed that up with a second-place finish in the Conference USA Tournament in 2007. In her two seasons, Provanzano coached three All-Conference USA selections as well as two Conference USA Newcomers of the Year. Provanzano used her playing experience as a defensive specialist and outside hitter to coach UAB's single-season record holder for digs.
 
Prior to her stint at UAB, Provanzano spent the 2005 season as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern, where she served as the recruiting coordinator. She helped lead the Eagles to a 21-11 record and coached a first-team All-Southern Conference selection.
 
A 2005 graduate of Georgia, Provanzano was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Bulldogs. She led Georgia in digs from 2000-02 and finished her career fifth all-time in school history in digs. The Bulldogs reached the SEC Tournament semifinals twice while she was playing. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Provanzano was given the Georgia Athletics Sportsmanship Award in 2002 and was named to the SEC Good Works team in 2003.
                                                                                                                                                   
After finishing her athletic eligibility, Provanzano spent a year as student assistant coach at the University of Georgia, where she helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years. She also spent five years coaching the Georgia Juniors volleyball club, an Under-17 club.

She replaces Karen McNulty who served as head coach of the program for the last 20 seasons and compiled a record of 338-290 (.538).
 
Provanzano and her husband Anthony reside in Peabody, Mass.