Dallas -- Texas A&M volleyball coach Laurie Corbelli was presented the George L. Fisher "Leader in Volleyball" award at USA Volleyball's annual banquet held last week in Dallas. The award, named after the first president of the United States Volleyball Association, recognizes individuals for their off-court endeavors on behalf of volleyball.

"It was a special feeling to be recognized in front of my peers who also have been my friends throughout my many years being in volleyball," Corbelli said. "My family also attended the banquet and helped make it a night I will always remember. Next to family, volleyball has been most important in my life. It has shaped my values and philosophies associated with everything I do."

Corbelli has served in numerous capacities under the USA Volleyball umbrella. She was a member of the national team from 1978-84, capturing a silver medal as a member of the 1984 USA Olympic team. She is a three-time USVBA All-American and was named the USVBA Player of the Year in the senior division at the 1992 national tournament. In addition, Corbelli was the recipient of USA Volleyball's prestigious Flo Hyman Great Female Player Award in 1998.

Corbelli also has served on numerous committees for both USA Volleyball and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. A member of the USA Volleyball board of directors and the national player representative from 1990-98, she also served on the executive committee from 1991-97. In addition, Corbelli has been a member of the USA National Team Committee, as well as the USA National Team Coach Selection Committee.

"I hope that I can continue to give back to the sport that has given me so much enjoyment and so many life-long friends," Corbelli said.

The winningest coach in A&M volleyball history, Corbelli is set to begin her 10th season at the helm of the Aggies and the 16th season of her head coaching career when A&M opens the 2002 season on August 30 against Alcorn State at G. Rollie White Coliseum.

The Corbelli Resume

Name: Laurie Flachmeier Corbelli
Born: January 28, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan
Hometown: Garland, Texas
Husband: John Corbelli
Children: Rachel (5/9/91) and Russell (6/28/94)
High School: Berkner High School, Richardson, Texas
College Education: University of San Francisco, Bachelor of Arts, Physical Education, 1988

Playing Career:
1975 & 1976 AIAW National Championship, Texas Lutheran
1978-84 United States Women's National Volleyball Team
1978 World Championships
1979 Pan American Games
1980 U.S. Olympic Team (Boycott)
1981 World Cup Competition
1982 World Championships, Bronze Medalist
1983 Pan American Games
1984 U.S. Olympic Team, Silver Medalist
1987-89 Major League Volleyball, San Jose Golddiggers

Playing Honors:
1976 Most Valuable Player, National AAU Junior Olympics Championship Tournament 1977 USVBA Rookie of the Year, National Tournament, Hilo, Hawaii 1984 Silver Medalist, 1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles, Calif. 1987 Most Valuable Player, Major League Volleyball 1987-89 Major League Volleyball All-Star and All-Pro Team 1989 Most Valuable Player, Major League Volleyball All-Star Game 1992 USVBA Player of the Year, National Tournament, Senior Division Three-time USVBA All-American (1985, 1986, 1992) 1998 USA Volleyball/Flo Hyman All-Time Great Player Award

Coaching Career:
1986-89, Head Coach, University of San Francisco (record 39-71) 1990-92, Head Coach, Santa Clara University (record 61-35) 1993-Present, Head Coach, Texas A&M University (record 215-75)

Coaching Honors:
1987 West Coast Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Coach of the Year 1991 West Coast Conference Co-Coach of the Year 1992 West Region Coach of the Year 1992 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year 1994 Southwest Conference Co-Coach of the Year 1995 District VI Coach of the Year 1995 Southwest Conference Coach of the Year 2000 Texas A&M Coach of the Year

Other Honors:
1989 Garland Sports Hall of Fame 1994 Texas Lutheran College Athletic Hall of Honor 1994 NAIA Hall of Fame 1998-2000 Honorary Co-Chair of the Children's Miracle Network for Brazos Valley 2002 USA Volleyball George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award

All-Americans:
1995 Suzy Wente (Volleyball Magazine, honorable mention) 1996 Kristie Smedsrud (Volleyball Magazine, third team) 1997 Stacy Sykora (AVCA second team; Volleyball Magazine honorable mention) 1998 Stacy Sykora (AVCA second team) 1998 Jenna Moscovic (All-American Freshman Team, Volleyball Magazine) 1999 Amber Woolsey (AVCA first team; Volleyball Magazine second team) 2000 Jenna Moscovic (Volleyball Magazine, honorable mention) 2001 Jenna Moscovic (AVCA first team, Volleyball Magazine third team)

Olympians:
2000 Stacy Sykora, Libero, 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia

Memberships/Committees:
USA Volleyball Executive Committee, National Player Representative (1991-97) USA Volleyball Board of Directors, Player Representative (1990-98) American Volleyball Coaches Association, District VI All-District and Coach of the Year Awards Committee (1993-98) USA National Team Committee (1997-98) USA National Team Coach Selection Committee (1996) AVCA Division I Head Coaches Committee (2000) USA Today/AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Voter (2000)