DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball coach Danny Miller earned his 500th career victory as the Cougars defeated conference foe Mary Baldwin College 3-0 Wednesday night at the Grant Center.

Averett (18-12, 12-4 USA South) toppled Mary Baldwin (0-25, 0-14) 25-13, 25-15, 25-12, to help Miller achieve the milestone, making him one of only 25 active Division III volleyball coaches with 500 wins.

"The volleyball and the wins are the fun part, but thinking about all of the people that have been a part of it is what makes it so special," Miller said following the match. "I think one of the other things that makes it most special to me is the fact that I've done it all at one school. It's kind of unusual and not the norm these days, even at Division III schools. The fact that I'm doing it at my alma mater and the fact that I was an assistant here and now the head coach here is special. Sometimes I used to see it as a negative, but I don't know that I could have made more of a difference somewhere else. The fact that I could do it all here at Averett has made it doubly special."

Miller, in his 20th season as the head coach, earned his first career win in his first match at the helm of the Cougars' program, defeating Bluefield College 3-0 in Averett's old gym on Sept. 2, 1995. He reached 100 wins a little more than three years later, defeating Shenandoah University 3-0 on Oct. 24, 1998, in Danville. His last three major win milestones have come on the road. Miller hit win No. 200 in a 3-0 victory at Guilford College on Oct. 5, 2002, and reached 300 wins in a 3-0 victory over N.C. Wesleyan College on Sept. 16, 2006, on a neutral court in Winchester, Virginia. Miller picked up win No. 400 with a 3-0 victory over Southern Virginia University on a neutral court in Salem, Virginia, on Oct. 9, 2010.

His latest milestone victory came with a dominating performance Wednesday over Mary Baldwin. The Cougars got off to a slow start in the opening set, but found their stride midway through. Ahead 9-7, Averett used a rally with freshman Christiana Summa at the serve to help pull away to a 22-11 advantage, forcing Mary Baldwin to take a timeout. Averett finished the first frame off with freshman Hannah Shields' kill on a set from senior Nicole Barringer. The second set was similar to the first as Averett clung to a 13-12 lead before finishing the match on a 12-3 run.

With the crowd cheering Miller's name, Averett opened the third set with a solid lead before putting the Squirrels away as the Cougars rushed Miller to celebrate the victory following the final point.
"It means a lot to be on this team that gets him his 500th win," Barringer said. "It's really cool to be a part of something that he's going to cherish."

Averett returns to action on Friday when the Cougars host a USA South quad-match, beginning at 1 p.m. Averett faces N.C. Wesleyan at 1 p.m. and takes on William Peace University at 7 p.m. in its final home date of the season. Averett will honor Barringer, the lone senior, during the match with William Peace.

Following the match, Miller's players, colleagues and the crowd honored his accomplishment in a post-game ceremony.

"What an amazing accomplishment," Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens said. "It's not just about the wins though, it's about the countless lives of the players he has impacted.  Averett is so lucky to have Danny and it was a special night for him, his alumni and our entire Averett family."

Miller has led Averett's volleyball program to four NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure. He has also won seven conference tournament titles and 10 regular season crowns, including the 2013 USA South Conference North Division championship. He has been named the USA South Conference Coach of the Year seven times, as well as the Virginia State Coach of the Year on five occasions. He coached and recruited Averett's three All-Americans in volleyball and has developed seven players who have combined for 13 conference player of the year awards. He has led the Cougars to at least 20 overall wins in 18 of his last 19 seasons. Miller's teams have also succeeded in the classroom. Since 2002-03, 48 Averett volleyball players have earned USA South Academic All-Conference Team honors. Numerous players have been named to the Academic All-District teams, and since 2011, Miller had three Academic All-America selections.

"I believe Miller is a demanding coach, but that's what it takes to win championships," assistant coach Sara Porter said. "I have been honored to work with such a great coach and learn new things and new ways of looking at things."

Several of Miller's former players also offered congratulatory remarks and explained why he has been a successful coach for two decades.

"I was a player and part of Miller's first win and am proud to say I am now a colleague during his 500th," said Bren LaFlamme Taylor, Averett's softball head coach and a former volleyball All-American under Miller. "He has been a big part of my success, not only in coaching, but in life. He has not changed his coaching style from Day 1 and that is how he gains the respect of each of his players. He works every player to be the ultimate best they can be and won't let them settle for anything less."

Allison Sparks, who was an All-American on last season's championship squad, praised Miller for his knowledge of the game.

"I had the opportunity to witness Miller's 400th win as a player," Sparks said. "Winning 400 games is an amazing accomplishment; reaching 500 wins a few years later is more than amazing. Winning 500 matches shows just how phenomenal he as a coach. He knows the game of volleyball better than anyone I have ever known. He's produced three All-Americans as a head coach, which goes to show he knows how to compete and mold great players. He's truly one of a kind and Averett is fortunate enough to have him."

Paige Aaron Echols, a former two-time Academic All-American under Miller who is currently coaching volleyball at Chatham High School, agreed.

"I have never learned more about the game of volleyball from any other coach," Echols said. "He is one of the best coaches I've ever played for and he pushed me to achieve things I never thought I could come close to achieving. He taught me so much in my four years at Averett. I can only hope that one day I make as big of an impact on the players I coach that he made on me."
Former players, assistants and family members were among those who joined Miller on the court following the game for a group photo.

"It's surreal," said Miller, whose phone had already started to buzz with text messages from friends and former players who couldn't be in attendance.