COACH OF THE YEAR, RUNNER-UP: Chris Ridolfi, Men's Volleyball

Skeptics may have called it beginner’s luck, but the rookie knew what he was doing.

In his first year at the helm of the Harvard men’s volleyball team, head coach Chris Ridolfi led his team to a 13-6 finish and the EIVA Sweeney Division title.

Having spent four years as an assistant to women’s volleyball coach Jennifer Weiss, Ridolfi easily adapted to his new role.

Though Harvard dropped the first three contests of the season, Ridolfi then guided the Crimson to a 13-match win streak.

“[Coach Ridolfi] has brought the program from being almost nothing to being something big,” co-captain Juan Ramos said. “He’s definitely the best coach I’ve ever had.”

—Staff writer Karan Lodha can be reached at klodha@fas.harvard.edu.