Posted: Oct 17, 2013

Muniz Inducted into Hall of Fame

HALL OF FAME MAIN PAGE | HALL OF FAME DINNER PHOTO GALLERY

Around the turn of the century, Bryant University added four new varsity sports. The addition of football and field hockey in 1999, followed by men's lacrosse in 2000 and women's lacrosse in the spring of 2002, were all part of the New Century Plan for Excellence put forth by President Ronald K. Machtley.

Now, nearly two decades later, five former student-athletes representing each of those new sports programs, were among the ten individuals inducted into the Bryant University's Athletic Hall of Fame in October.

The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner served as a beautiful kickoff to the Homecoming & Reunion Weekend as alumni, current members of the Hall of Fame, several Bryant trustees and family, plus coaches and friends filled the Heidi and Walter Stepan Grand Hall in the George E. Bello Center.

Honorees included: Bill Conaty'67 (baseball), Nick Allegretti '04 (men's lacrosse), Mary McConnell '04 (women's basketball), Michelle Lewis '05 (field hockey & women's lacrosse), Maureen Burns '06 (field hockey & women's lacrosse), Michelle Muniz '06 (women's volleyball), Casey Grange '06 (women's soccer), Sacha Solomon '07 (women's tennis), Lorenzo Perry '07 (football), and Charlie Granatell '08 (football).

In the long, storied history of Bryant volleyball, Michelle Muniz becomes the ninth volleyball player to enter the Bryant Athletics Hall of Fame.

One of the most exciting and powerful outside hitters in the history of the program, Muniz was not only one of the top players in the conference, but one of the best in the entire region from the moment she stepped on campus.

Named the Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2002, Muniz continued her high level of play throughout her career, earning Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year honors in each of the following three seasons.

A four-time All-Northeast-10 pick, four-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region selection and two-time AVCA All-America Honorable Mention recipient, Muniz helped guide the Bulldogs to 128 victories from 2002-06. During that span, Bryant volleyball earned trips to four-straight NCAA tournaments, including three appearances in the NCAA Sweet 16.

She graduated as the program’s all-time career leader in kills (2,320), kills per set (4.67), attempts (5,437) and points (2,796.5). Today, Muniz is third all-time with 315 career service aces and is second with 1,982 career digs and 3.99 digs per set.

Muniz was inducted into the hall of fame by women's volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy.