Nicole Branagh

Nicole Branagh (born January 31, 1979, in Orinda, California)[1] is an American volleyball player. She has represented the United States in international competition as a member of both the indoor and beach national teams. With partner Elaine Youngs, Branagh competed in the beach volleyball tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics, finishing fifth. She currently plays beach volleyball professionally as a right-side defender.[1]

Nicole Branagh
Branagh serving at the 2009 AVP San Francisco Open finals
Personal information
Nationality United States
BornNicole Christine Branagh
(1979-01-31) January 31, 1979
Orinda, California, U.S.
HometownTorrance, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Beach volleyball information
Current teammate
Years Teammate
2010, 2012, 2017 Kerri Walsh
Previous teammates
Years Teammate
2005, 2011
2006–2009
2006
 Angie Akers
Elaine Youngs
Holly McPeak
Medal record
Women's volleyball
Representing the  United States
Pan American Games
2003 Santo Domingo Team

Career

Branagh played collegiately at the University of Minnesota. She was twice named to the All-America Second Team as an outside hitter.[2] She also was the Big Ten's co-Player of the Year in her senior season.[3] Following graduation, she played for the United States women's national volleyball team from 2001 to 2003,[3] finishing her national career after the 2003 Pan American Games, where she won a Bronze Medal and was the top scorer.

After spending the 2004 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton,[3] Branagh began playing beach volleyball on the AVP Pro Tour and the FIVB World Tour. She has won 17 AVP events and 3 FIVB World Tour events over the course of her career.[4] She was named the AVP Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the Most Improved Player in 2006 and 2008. She partnered with Holly McPeak for much of the 2006 season, before teaming up with Elaine Youngs for the remainder of the 2006 season and up until the 2009 season.[5][6] Branagh and Youngs competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics where they came in fifth.[6]

Personal life

Branagh married her wife Jenn in 2013.[7] The couple have two children.[8]

References
  1. "Team Details: Branagh/Walsh USA". United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. "American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I All-America History (through 2017 season): Minnesota (21/32)" (PDF). American Volleyball Coaches Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  3. "2004 Volleyball: Nicole Branagh". Cal State Fullerton Titans. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  4. "Nicole Branagh: Victories". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  5. "Nicole Branagh: 2004–07". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  6. "Nicole Branagh: 2008–13". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  7. "Nicole Branagh". United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  8. Hoeptner Evans, B. J. (April 18, 2018). "Branagh, Walsh Jennings Back on the Beach". USA Volleyball. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
Awards
Preceded by
 Laura Ludwig (GER)
 Tamsin Barnett (AUS)		 Women's FIVB World Tour "Most Improved"
2008		 Succeeded by
 Marleen van Iersel (NED)
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