McCray took over a Berry squad that had finished 10-25 overall the year before she arrived and helped the Vikings improve to 22-17 overall and 8-4 in the Southern States Athletic Conference in the 2004 season. Berry finished fourth in the SSAC's regular season standings before McCray led it to the championship match of the conference tournament. Berry also advanced to the NAIA Region XIII Tournament last season, despite a young team that included no juniors or seniors.
"I can't say enough how much everyone at Berry appreciates Nicole for what she has done here in such a short time in developing this program," Brooks said. "With her accomplishments and her team's accomplishments this year, she has definitely pointed us in the right direction."
For McCray, it is an opportunity to return to the Southeastern Conference, where she dominated as a middle blocker at the University of Florida. She earned All-SEC honors in each of the four years in which she played at the school, and was the the conference's Player of the Year in 2000. Along with her SEC accolades, McCray earned one second team All-American honor and a pair of honorable mention All-American awards during her days with the Gators, and helped lead the team to four SEC titles and four national tournament appearances, including a Final Fourth berth in 2002.
"We are sad that Nicole is leaving the Berry family, but we understand that sometimes an opportunity that is too good to pass up comes along, and it says a lot that she has been pursued by a nationally-known program such as Georgia's," Brooks said.
"She is a sharp young professional," Brooks continued. "We wish her the best and are excited about following her career through the years."
Steffi Legall was promoted to head coach at Georgia in April after serving as the team's associate head coach under Mary Buczek, who retired. UGA was 18-12 overall a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2004.
Berry has already begun its search for McCray's replacement.
...berryvikings...
