Best Coach-Erin Appleman, volleyball

When Appleman arrived at Yale in 2002, she faced the daunting task of following Peg Scofield, the winningest coach in Yale women’s volleyball history. But in just two years, Appleman has already made history of her own. Five years after helping to guide Penn State to the national championship as an assistant coach, she took the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament for the first time this fall. The second-year head coach made an immediate impact last season as the Elis got off to their best start in over a decade and finished the season, 16-9 — a marked improvement on its 13-12 record in 2002. The Bulldogs have continued to thrive under Appleman’s tutelage, making unprecedented strides this fall. Among their accomplishments: an 18-8 record, an Ivy League Championship, an NCAA Tournament berth and an NCAA Tournament win.

Runner-up: Rudy Meredith, women’s soccer

This fall, Meredith led the Bulldogs to their second NCAA College Cup appearance in three years. In his tenth year as head coach, he has accumulated the most wins in Yale women’s soccer history while establishing the program as one of the best in the region.

Honorable mention: Zack Leonard, sailing; Daniel Ireland, cross-country