Valparaiso University volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Nick Polite has returned to Valpo and rejoined the volleyball program as an assistant coach. Polite previously spent three seasons on the Valpo coaching staff from 2013 through 2015.

“I am so excited to have Nick back in the family,” said Avery. “During his earlier time with us, Nick was an extremely hard worker and proved he loves the game of volleyball. He loves to learn and teach, and he fits perfectly in our family. I’m excited to see our program continue to grow with Nick’s help.”

Polite has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at East Carolina, where the Pirates won 50 matches over the last three years. His tenure at ECU was highlighted by the team’s performance in 2017, as it went 22-11 overall – the most wins by an ECU squad since 1982 – and a 13-7 mark in American Athletic Conference play.

With the ECU program, Polite was responsible for training the team’s setters and middles, as well as organizing travel and recruiting. He worked with the program’s first AAC Freshman of the Year in setter Shelby Martin in 2017 and a First Team All-AAC honoree in 2017 in middle Natalie Montini.

“I want to thank Carin and [athletic director] Mark LaBarbera for welcoming me back,” said Polite. “I am beyond excited and thankful to be given the opportunity to return to my hometown and coach at Valpo. Carin is a great coach who has developed a strong program, and I look forward to working with her to maintain the excellence she has established here.”

Prior to heading to ECU, Polite spent the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons on staff at Valpo. He helped lead the Brown and Gold to 77 victories over his three-year tenure, which included a pair of appearances in the Horizon League Tournament championship match.

Polite spent the 2012 season at Indiana State as an assistant coach following one season as a student assistant for the Sycamores. He also spent two seasons as a practice player for the Sycamores.

A 2012 graduate of Indiana State University, Polite was a two-year member of the Sycamores' track and field team.  A three-sport athlete at Washington Township H.S. in Valparaiso, he was two-time conference MVP and a three-time All-Conference honoree on the volleyball court.