LEXINGTON, Ky. – After leading the Lincoln Memorial University beach volleyball program to new heights in 2022, coach Lucy Pennington-Russell was selected as a recipient to the 2022 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty under 30 coaches group.
 
"I am truly honored and humbled to be put on a list with so many incredible coaches," said head beach coach Lucy Pennington-Russell. "Receiving this award would be impossible without my athletes who show up every day being willing students of the game, the Lincoln Memorial University administration supporting my efforts as a coach, and all my mentors who have poured into me throughout my career. Hopefully this award can be a source of inspiration or motivation to other coaches and athletes simply because talent seldom outdoes hard work passion for the game."
 
With the support of Lincoln Memorial, Pennington-Russell and the beach volleyball program finished the 2022 season with a program-best in wins (13) and included the first recruiting class that was mainly for the beach volleyball program at LMU.
 
The first-year coach came by the way of fellow SAC member Carson-Newman where she served as a graduate assistant, Pennington-Russell arrived in Harrogate after serving the Eagles in a variety of capacities.
 
During her two years with Carson-Newman, Pennington-Russell served as both director of volleyball operations and interim head beach volleyball coach. Her duties included operating DataVolley, providing strategic analysis, scouting, and developing match plans. She also assisted with film study and fundamental breakdowns.
 
Over two seasons, Pennington-Russell helped Carson-Newman compile a 35-12 record indoors, including an NCAA Division II Southeast Region title and national quarterfinal appearance during the 2019 season. She also compiled a 6-1 record during her stint as the interim head beach coach.
 
Pennington-Russell received her bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman in 2017 before earning her Master's in Education from C-N in 2021.
 
"I would like to first thank Lincoln Memorial University, and Director of Athletics Don Grigsby, Dr. Ahleasha McNeal, and Tommy Doles, for giving me the means to earn this award," added coach Pennington-Russell. "Second, I would like to thank Meghan Oxford and my family who continues to push and support me endlessly. Third I would like to thank all of my athletes who grew next to me and pushed me to be the best Coach I could be. Without them I would be nowhere as passionate about this sport as I am today. I would also like to thank Amanda Shaw and the entire Athletic Training staff for literally keeping me and our team together, and Kaitlyn Zell for all the incredible weight/conditioning sessions we had. There is a long list of people who constantly push and believe in me, CPT John Moran, Dr. Boden (Sus), Ashley Huskey, Elena VC., Kaina R/G., Nick Williams and so many more!"