|
Arunas Duda enters his seventh year leading the University of Great Falls Volleyball Program. As the second head coach in team history, Duda has seen the program grow from its infancy into a perennial contender in the Frontier Conference and the region. Since taking the reigns of the program, Duda has guided the Lady Argonauts to 102 wins and five winning seasons, including two 20+ win campaigns. He has twice been named the Frontier Conference Coach of the Year, earning the honor in 2005 and 2006. The highlight of Duda's coaching career, thus far, came in 2006 as the Lady Argos captured the Frontier Conference Championship. The Lady Argos finished that season ranked #23 in the NAIA National Poll. In 2009, Duda again led the Lady Argos to the top of the conference, earning a share of the Frontier Conference Championship with an 11-3 conference record.
Since arriving in the Big Sky State, Duda's success has been predicated on his ability to recruit and develop top caliber athletes. In his short time at UGF, Duda has brought in many athletes that have received conference and regional recognition. There have been 12 All-Region players, 22 All-Conference players, and 7 All-Freshman players and 1 Conference and Regional Libero of the Year in just seven seasons.
Duda came to the UGF after serving as the assistant volleyball coach at Santa Monica College in California for two seasons. Duda was a major contributor to the success of the SMC program during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. With him on the coaching staff, the team finished both seasons ranked in the top 15 of the state and made it to the second round of post-season play.
Prior to his stint at SMC, Duda was a volunteer assistant coach for the women's volleyball program at his alma mater, Santa Clara University. SCU made several NCAA post-season appearances in Duda's time with the program. Duda also developed strong California recruiting ties through four years of coaching the City Beach Club Team in San Jose, CA.
As a player, Duda prepped at Loyola High School in Los Angeles. He was an All-American at the junior club level for team East Beach in Santa Barbara, CA. He also won a gold medal and two silver medals at the Junior Olympics from 1994-1998.
UGF Volleyball - Building a Tradition of Excellence!
Arunas and his wife Jennifer welcomed their first child, Miles Thomas, in June 2009.
|