CANTON — Cooper Colesante has been named the next head coach of the SUNY Canton women's volleyball program, as announced on Monday, July 29.

Colesante spent the past season as the Head Men's Volleyball and Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach at Wells College. The men's program nearly doubled their win total from the previous season in his first season at the helm, while the women's team qualified for the postseason and hosted a home playoff match for the first time in five years.

Prior to his stint with the Express he also served as a women's volleyball intern at both SUNY Potsdam and Wells.

"Cooper's experience playing competitive collegiate volleyball at Wells where the team made an NCAA Tournament appearance will help him and our team as we look to compete in the SUNYAC this fall," Athletic Director Randy Sieminski said. "His role as a head coach of the men's team at Wells, while also serving as the assistant women's coach last season gives him great experience as he takes the reigns ofa our women's program here at SUNY Canton."

Colesante used his final year of eligibility playing as a graduate student for the Potsdam men's volleyball team. Prior to that he was a four-year setter at Wells. During his time with the Express he finished fifth all-time in program history in total assists and assists per set. Colesante was a member of the 2019 team that won the NEAC championship and made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

"I would like to thank Randy Sieminski and the rest of search committee for trusting me to be the next head women's volleyball coach at SUNY Canton," Colesante said. "Having spent a season playing volleyball at Potsdam I am familiar with the North Country. I am looking forward to getting started right away building on the foundation set by our returners, while working with the incoming recruits as we look to make a successful transition to SUNYAC volleyball."

Colesante is a native of Central Square, New York and Paul V. Moore High School where he was a two-time All-CNY men's volleyball player. He graduated from Wells College with a Bachelor's degree in Business and a minor in Education.