MCKENZIE, Tenn. -Bethel Interim Director of Athletics Dave McCulley announced Michelle Cunha has been named Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at the school.
Cunha succeeds her longtime mentor Starla Cupples who was named Bethel’s Compliance Administrator and Senior Women’s Leader.
Michele just completed her 13th year as an assistant coach with the Bethel volleyball program.
She is from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and a graduate of Pedro II High School.
Coach Cunha was a four-year- member of the Bethel volleyball team, finishing her career in 2010. While at Bethel, she received conference Libero of the Week honors six times. Cunha still holds Bethel’s single season records for digs (891), digs per set (8.17) and receptions (944), all set during the 2007 campaign. She also received TranSouth Conference honors in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Coach Cunha is third all-time in most digs per set for a single season (8.17 in 2007) in the NAIA volleyball record book. Her career totals include 2,576 digs and 2,881 serve receptions, both of which are school records. Cunha was recently inducted into the Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame.
She was also a three-time conference Scholar Athlete, receiving that honor in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Coach Cunha graduated from Bethel in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She earned a Master of Arts in education, summa cum laude, from Bethel in 2012.
Coach Cupples said, “Michele is a true Bethel person. She loves the game and will continue to put her heart and soul into growing the program. I look forward to seeing the success her teams will have.”
McCulley said, “Michele has been an excellent assistant coach. She has been a valuable asset to our department, and we are certain she will be a successful head coach. We are excited about the future of the program.”
Coach Cunha said, “I am excited to announce that I have accepted the position of head coach for our volleyball program. After 13 rewarding years as the assistant coach, I am thrilled for the opportunity to take on this new challenge and continue to contribute to the growth and success of our athletes. I look forward to leading the team, creating a positive and competitive environment, and building upon the strong foundation we have established over the years. I would like to thank Coach Cupples for all those years of dedication and all the help with the transition. Here’s to the next chapter of our volleyball program.”