Salt Lake Community College head volleyball coach Sue Dulaney recently captured a milestone victory in her illustrious career.

In the Bruins’ first road trip of the season to Colorado Northwestern, they completed a two-match sweep and handed Dulaney her 500th career victory. Her current team celebrated the milestone while appreciating her dedication.

“Sue is great to work with,” assistant Bruins volleyball coach Scott Keister said. “She is always looking out for the kids. She is very kind, yet tough-nosed when she needs to be. She holds them to a higher standard. I know she cares about our players as much off the court as she does on the court.” 

The Bruins captured the 3-1 Oct. 7 victory by taking down the Spartans  25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19. It was their 14th victory on the season. Freshman Megan Treanor led the team with 16 kills. The Bruins held off a final set rally forcing the Spartans into difficult scoring situations. 

They currently have a 5-2 conference record. Their only losses were to Snow College. The players credit Dulaney for helping them to stay focused on their game.

“Sue is a very intelligent coach,” freshman Lexi Desmarais said. “She knows what she is talking about and is amazing at transferring that into our practice and games. She helps us stay disciplined so that we can be playing our best volleyball. It is very rewarding.” 

Dulaney’s coaching career spans 34 years. She is the winningest coach in Salt Lake Community College history and has produced 19 consecutive 20-win seasons. She began coaching at SLCC in 2008. 

Her college coaching career began in 2000 at Western Wyoming Community College. She resurrected its program after a 20 year hiatus. She secured a 245-111 record in her seven years at Western Wyoming.

Last season the Bruins placed fifth in the NJCAA tournament. They have finished in the top 10 six times in her nine years at the school. 

“She takes the time to listen to us and talk about where we are at in the season, but she is also very social with us even when it is not about volleyball. I believe that helps build a great team,” Desmarais said.

The relationship she has with her players shows in the team’s success.

“Year after year, we are in the top 10,” Keister said. “Every player she has coached maintains a lasting relationship with her because of the good she has done for them in each of their lives. She is there with them through the trials as well as the successes.” 

The Bruins have had success helping players continue their volleyball career and education goals. Currently, Brighton Taylor is attending Utah Valley University, Rachel Davis is at University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Nicole Peacock is at Montana Tech University, and Andrea Brady is at Colorado State.

Desmarais is a Herriman High School graduate. She decided to attend SLCC after several other offers did not work out.

“SLCC has always been a dream for me,” she said. “As a kid, I came to one of their games and got a poster signed. It stayed up in my room for like a year. My goal as a kid was to play college ball here. A spot came open, and I was offered to walk on, so I did.” 

The Region 18 tournament is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Region’s champion (at press time to be determined.) The national tournament is scheduled to be held in Hutchinson, Kansas, Nov. 16-18.