Angelo Calabrese '00 is stepping up for the Crusaders.

Director of Athletics James Mauro announced that Calabrese, who has been the Crusaders' head JV coach since 2017, has been elevation to head coach of the varsity volleyball program.

"Angelo has been a dedicated coach to our volleyball program for a number of years," said Mauro. "He has done a terrific job with our JV program, readying those athletes for varsity competition. He has a deep care for our students and will work hard to help them achieve their goals."

Now a Town of Tonawanda resident along with his wife Heather, Calabrese began his volleyball career in 1996 at CHS when he played for longtime Canisius coach Tom Weislo.

"Coach Weislo was an incredible mentor and always put me in a position to be successful," said Calabrese.

The Canisius volleyball program has achieved significant acclaim in recent years, winning 22 consecutive league championships and sending numerous alumni to top collegiate programs like Harvard, UCLA, Loyola Chicago and Springfield.

Calabrese's work with the JV program served as an introduction for many of those alumni into the Crusader Way and has been a foundation for sustaining the program's successes.

"I'm looking forward to continuing the winning Canisius tradition," said Calabrese.

Canisius will begin their season once again with the Clarence Invitational Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 3.