Arunas Duda, Head Volleyball Coach

College: Santa Clara University, 2002

Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA

Email: aduda01@ugf.edu

Phone: 406-791-5922

Seasons at UGF: 4th Season at Women's Head Volleyball Coach

Arunas Duda enters his fourth season with the Lady Argo Volleyball Program. In just three years Coach Duda has taken the once last place Argos and transformed them into conference champions. For this success, Coach Duda was named the Frontier Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight year. The program also had 24 wins, the most ever in Argo Volleyball history. The Great Falls Lady Argos were also included as the #23 ranked team in the country this preseason, the first national ranking in Argo Volleyball history.

One reason for Coach Duda's success is his ability to recruit and develop top caliber athletes. Since arriving at UGF, he has brought on many athletes that have garnished conference and regional recognition. There have been 6 All-Region players, 11 All-Conference players, and 5 All-Freshman team players in just three seasons.

Arunas arrives at the University of Great Falls after serving as the assistant volleyball coach at Santa Monica College in California.  Duda was a major contributor to the success of the SMC program during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.   With him on the coaching staff, the team finished both seasons ranked in the top 15 of the state and made it to the second round of post-season play.

Arunas Duda graduated from Santa Clara University where he was the volunteer assistant coach for the women's volleyball program.  During his time at SCU, Duda learned a lot from the coaching staff and was able to help the team to several NCAA postseason appearances.  Arunas also made strong ties to the community through four years of coaching club for City Beach in San Jose, CA.  City Beach is known for producing high caliber collegiate-ready athletes.

As a player, Arunas prepped at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California.  He was an All-American at the junior club level for team East Beach in Santa Barbara, CA.  He also won one gold medal and two silver medals at the Junior Olympics from 1994-1998.

Coaches Fun Fact: Coach Duda finished fifth at the 2002 National Championship of Bocce Ball in Los Gatos, CA. Unfortunately for Coach Duda’s pride, there were only five teams competing. Nonetheless, he took his fifth place finish with pride and retired from the sport.

UGF Coaching Record:

2004 7-21 (2-12 Conference 8th Place)

2005 20-11 (10-4 Conference 2nd Place)

2006: 24-9 (12-2 Conference Champions

Mary Lester, Assistant Volleyball Coach

College: Carroll College, 2004

Hometown: Great Falls, MT

Email: mlester01@ugf.edu

Phone: 406-791-5215

Seasons at UGF: 4th Season as Women's Assistant Volleyball Coach

Mary Lester will be returning this season as an assistant coach for the Argos. Lester, who graduated from Carroll College in 2004, is now the Student Life Coordinator for the University of Great Falls.

Mary played for four years at Carroll College and in her final season at Carroll she was voted Frontier Conference Most Valuable Player. “We are very excited to have Mary on our Staff. She brings a wealth of knowledge and playing experience that she will be able to share with the team” (Coach Duda).

Mary is originally from Great Falls and is the daughter of Dennis and Terri Lester.