Two assistants added to Lady Monarchs' coaching staff

NORFOLK

Celeste Hill is an Old Dominion Lady Monarch again.

The former ODU All-American is one of two new assistants on Wendy Larry's staff. Belle Koclanes, a 2002 University of Richmond graduate and former assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania, is the other.

They replace Karen Barefoot and Marie Christian, who each left after three seasons. Barefoot is the head coach at Elon University, and Christian opted to pursue other opportunities.

Hill, who has added Brockett to her name, assisted Larry for the 1998-99 season. She then was head coach at Holmes High School in her hometown of Covington, Ky.

"Celeste is an excellent teacher," Larry said. "She's in it for all the right reasons, and she's passionate about the game."

Hill-Brockett was the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year three times and as a freshman was Sun Belt Rookie of the Year. Her senior year she was named a Kodak District III All-American.

Koclanes spent four seasons at Pennsylvania and was a standout point guard at Richmond when it was in the CAA. The former point guard started all four years for the Spiders.

"There are few players I can recall outside of my own team that really made an impression on me in the CAA," Larry said. "Belle made an impression."

Larry said she is impressed by Koclanes' ability in several languages, including Italian, Greek and Spanish.

Larry said she plans to divide duties differently given her new staff. Nikita Dawkins, entering her fifth season, will remain the primary recruiter. Hill-Brockett will work with the post and swing players and handle the majority of academic issues.

Koclanes will work with the point guards and will handle scheduling and equipment.