Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
 
AVCA Release
 
Apr. 20th, 2021 - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has selected Sydney Cheatham as the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball National Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday.
 
Cheatham joined the volleyball staff prior to the 2018-19 academic year as a graduate assistant coach for the Cardinals' women's volleyball program and was promoted to assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs prior to the 2019-20 season after just one year as a graduate assistant.
 
The Naperville native became interim head coach of the men's program when head coach Kyle Exline was on paternity leave for part of the 2021 season.
 
"Sydney has gone above and beyond this year to ensure there was a smooth transition," Exline said. "We had no idea how long I was going to be away from the team to start the season and Sydney ensured that all the t's were crossed, and the i's were dotted. She has been very detail orientated with our logistics, recruiting, practice planning, game day management, culture and I am beyond blessed to have her in a leadership role with our program(s). She very deserving of this award."
 
The Cardinals posted an 11-4 record on the year while taking down local powerhouses like Benedictine University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Aurora University, all of whom were ranked at some point this season.
 
"We also had an amazing staff that was dedicated to the development of our players and program(s). Sydney did an amazing job communicating seamlessly with our coaching crew! Thank you to the best coaches in the country: Tim Huizinga, Anson Lindsey, Creig Federico, Claire Vrabec, and Ben Cartwright. Lastly, thank you to the AVCA All-American committee for selecting Sydney for this prestigious award," said Exline.
 
"Thank you to our administration (Jim Miller, Sue Kane, James Kluckhohn, Brittany James and Eileen McBrien) for supporting Sydney and our programs during the year," Exline said.
 
Cheatham will be invited and honored at the 2021 AVCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio in December of 2021. There will be an Honors Lunch with the other coaches of the year for all divisions and the 2021 Hall of Fame Class.
 
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