FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington Director of Athletics, Fitness & Recreation Julie Davis recently named Kika Nigals as the women’s volleyball head coach.

“We are very pleased to welcome Kika Nigals back to UMF volleyball,” said Davis. “She brings us diverse player and coach experiences with the sport, and rich relationships with the university and community that will serve the program very well. Volleyball is such a great lifetime sport and Kika embodies this and I think her passion for it will be contagious.”

Nigals replaced Sara Thurston at the helm of the Beavers. Thurston resigned in July after two seasons in Farmington because of personal reasons. The Beavers were 20-25 under Thurston, including a trip to the North Atlantic Conference semifinals in 2008.

Nigals is a familiar face on the Farmington campus. She served as women’s volleyball head coach from 1995-1998, handling all aspects of recruiting, training and coaching.

A resident of Industry, Nigals was also employed as the assistant director/director of children’s programs, ropes course, recreation, and member management of the University’s Health and Fitness Center from 1995-2005 and community health and rehabilitation adjunct faculty from 2000-2008.

An honors graduate from Queens (N.Y.) College, Nigals spent two seasons (1993-1994) as an assistant coach at Queens and one season as an assistant coach at Bates College in 2005.

The Beavers are scheduled to open their 2009 campaign at Husson University on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.

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