DANVILLE, Va. — Liz Hickey has been named the Averett University women's basketball head coach, the school announced on Monday.

Hickey takes over the Averett women's program after serving as an assistant coach for three seasons at the University of Rochester, where she helped guide the Yellow Jackets to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances — including a 2010 trip to the Division III Final Four.

“I am greatly honored and very excited about becoming part of the Averett University community,” Hickey said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to coach competitive student-athletes at a university that provides such a diverse and quality academic experience. I look forward to building the women's basketball program and creating a successful tradition both on and off the court." 

What others say about new Averett women's basketball coach Liz Hickey Jim Scheible, women's basketball coach at the University of Rochester: “We're going to miss her very much. Liz is a very bright young coach with a great future and I think she will build a strong program at Averett. She is very sharp as far as team dynamics and knowing what players needed through the season.” Deena Applebury, women's basketball coach at the University of Mary Washington: “Liz is a bright and talented young coach and will build the Averett women's basketball program to a championship level.  She has been successful both as a player and a coach and knows what it will take to get the Cougars on track.” Ed Hegmann, Director of Athletics at the University of Mary Washington: “Liz Hickey is one of the most successful women's basketball players in UMW history. A great leader, on and off the court, Liz will undoubtedly become a very successful head coach. Liz was always a tremendous role model for her team mates, athletically as well as academically and will bring a very strong work ethic, pride and determination to this position.”

Hickey becomes the eighth head coach in program history, taking over for Larry Epperly, who served as the Cougars' interim coach last season. Averett, which has had three consecutive 14-win seasons, finished the 2010-11 season with a 14-12 record that was highlighted by a victory over eventual Final Four participant Christopher Newport University.

Prior to beginning her coaching career at Rochester in 2008, Hickey was a three-time Division III All-American at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. As a three-year captain, Hickey helped lead Mary Washington two three Capital Athletic Conference championships, four NCAA Tournament berths, three Sweet 16 appearances and one Final Four. Mary Washington had a combined 111-15 record during Hickey's four seasons.

“Liz is an incredible young coach who brings invaluable experience to our program,” Averett Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson said. “Her playing career was unparalleled and she served on a staff at Rochester that has a lot to be proud of, both on and off of the court. Her background brings instant credibility as a coach, but we are equally excited about her ability to be a mentor for our student-athletes. Our search committee made a slam dunk in finding Liz.”

A native of Virginia Beach, Hickey was a dominating post player who finished her career as the NCAA Division III career leader in blocked shots with 510 in 126 games. She was selected to the WBCA First Team All-American as a senior and an Honorable Mention All-American as a junior and sophomore. In addition, Hickey was a D3hoops.com Second Team All-American as a senior and Third Team All-American as a junior and sophomore. She also earned three consecutive First Team All-Conference honors from the Capital Athletic Conference and was the CAC Player of the Year as a junior and senior. She was a First Team All-State selection as a junior and senior and a Second Team All-State honoree as a sophomore. Hickey is also the only student-athlete in any sport at Mary Washington to have her jersey number retired.

Hickey also achieved success in the classroom. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Mary Washington, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was chosen as Mary Washington's Academic Athlete of the Year. Hickey is currently completing her master's degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Rochester.