LEXINGTON, Ken. (May 12, 2022) – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) unveiled its Thirty Under 30 winners where Howard University assistant coach Sareea Freeman was among this year's recipients. The announcement came Thursday afternoon.
 
These rising stars are hard-working and passionate about teaching and being dedicated to helping grow the sport.
 
"I am humbled for this recognition," said Freeman. "I am thankful to all the coaches that has supported me throughout my career as a player and coach. I am passionate about volleyball and really want to continue to make a positive impact on the next generation of volleyball players."
 
In her first season with the Bison, Freeman helped HU recapture the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title for the sixth time in seven years while securing a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Along the way, she coached several Bison to postseason honors, including reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) and tournament's Most Outstanding Player Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas).
 
Academically, 12 Bison were selected to the MEAC Women's Volleyball All-Academic Team under her watch.
 
"We are more than athletes and that is something I continue to embody and be an advocate and role model for," Freeman continued. "I am proud to say I am a coach that will push you to be your best on and off the court. I love my girls fearlessly and can't wait to watch them succeed."
 
The awards program, created in 2009, honors up-and-coming coaches at all levels of volleyball—college, high school, and club—and the recipients serve in a range of roles, from head coach to volunteer assistant to club director. Nominees had to be younger than 30 years old in 2021 to qualify for the award.
 
"Thank you to Coach Shaun [Kupferberg] for nominating me," Freeman concluded. "I truly believe in the Howard volleyball program and am ready to put in the work to help this program be more successful. Shaun sees how passionate I am about to this game and how much I want this program to reach new heights. The future is bright and I truly believe we will make history together."
 
HU wrapped up the year winning its sixth MEAC title in seven years and look to defend their crown in the upcoming 2022 fall season.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the AVCA website at www.AVCA.org.