Bio

A dynamic teacher and coach, Alicia Riggan has maintained an impressive level of success in her 12 years at the helm of the Sandhills Community College volleyball program, compiling an overall record of 232-102.

First hired in the summer of 2009, following standout playing careers at both nearby North Moore High School and UNC Pembroke, her teams have finished as Region 10 Champion or runner up 10 times, including five Region 10 titles (2010, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019) as well as a trip to the 2010 NJCAA Division III National Tournament and a seventh place finish at the event.

In the 2020-21 year of the pandemic, her Lady Flyers squad moved up to Division II, compiling a record of 7-3 in Region 10 and 16-5 overall. In the spring, Sandhills became one of 18 colleges in the NJCAA to compete in beach volleyball, playing its home matches at a new four-court outdoor facility.

Nine times Riggan has mentored the Region 10 player of the year. She earned Region 10 Coach of the Year honors in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019 as well as District Coach of the year in 2010 after the team's district championship.

Also serving as an Associate Athletic Director, Riggan's efforts and focus on individual improvement continue to pay off for her student-athletes. In her time at Sandhills, 25 of her players have earned first team, All Region 10 laurels with Miranda Love (2010), Paige Garner (2017), Abby Wallace (2018) and Carley Modlin (2019, 2020) grabbing All-American honors.

Seven of her players have captured the NJCAA National Academic Award and her team earned NJCAA National Academic Team Awards in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Nine members of the 2020-2021 team earned Region 10 academic honors for GPA's of 3.0 and higher.

Riggan won her 100th match as head coach for the Lady Flyers in 2014 and her 200^th in 2017 when the team set a program record for wins in a season with a record of 27-6. That team did not lose a single set while compiling a 12-0 mark in Region 10 contests. The 2018 squad compiled a record of 24-5 during a season that included a 19-match winning streak.

Also well recognized as a Professor & Coordinator of Physical Education and Health & Fitness Science at Sandhills, she is active on numerous campus committees, especially in regards to digital learning.

Prior to coming to Sandhills, Riggan completed her Masters of Arts in Sports Administration at UNC Pembroke while coaching a local middle school volleyball team where she would later teach and coach basketball as well. At UNC Pembroke, Riggan served in the athletic department as an assistant in the Strength and Conditioning program as well as the Compliance office.

Riggan's playing career as UNC Pembroke included the Brave Award (2007) and Coaches Award (2006). In her final season she led the team in service aces and was second in digs and kills. She was second in the conference in aces with 58.

Her success both as a player at UNCP, and now as a coach with SCC, was impacted by her participation in various sports at North Moore High School. She was the Yadkin Valley Female Athlete of the Year in 2002 and scored over 1,000 points in her basketball career. She lettered in four sports (volleyball, basketball, softball, track) and was Homecoming Queen. She was president of SGA, FCA & the Key Club. She remains active in supporting local causes through sports camps and the volleyball teams' annual Pink Out game.

Riggan's husband, Ryan, is the Director of Recreation at Sandhills. He is also an Associate Athletic Director and serves as the volleyball team's strength and conditioning coach. Alicia and Ryan reside with a daughter, Brooklyn, in Pinehurst.