Nicole Branagh

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 (age 45)
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
World Tour
Gold medal – first place 2008 Barcelona Beach
Gold medal – first place 2008 Dubai Beach
Gold medal – first place 2010 Phuket Beach
Silver medal – second place 2007 Phuket Beach
Silver medal – second place 2008 Moscow Beach
Silver medal – second place 2008 Phuket Beach
Silver medal – second place 2009 Klagenfurt Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2007 St. Petersburg Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Brazil Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Seoul Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Paris Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Sanya Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Gstaad Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Stavanger Beach
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Santo Domingo Team

Nicole Christine 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]

Career

Branagh played collegiately at the University of Minnesota.[2] She was twice named to the All-America Second Team as an outside hitter.[3] She also was the Big Ten's co-Player of the Year in her senior season.[4] Following graduation, she played for the United States women's national volleyball team from 2001 to 2003,[4] finishing her national career after the 2003 Pan American Games, where she won a bronze medal[5] and was the top scorer.

After spending the 2004 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton,[4] 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.[6] She was named the AVP Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the Most Improved Player in 2006 and 2008.[7] 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.[8][9] Branagh and Youngs competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics where they came in fifth.[9][5]

Personal life

Branagh lives in Southern California with her wife and two children.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Team Details: Branagh/Walsh USA". United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "Gophers in the Pros: Nicole Branagh". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ a b c "2004 Volleyball: Nicole Branagh". Cal State Fullerton Titans. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Nicole Branagh". www.teamusa.com. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Nicole Branagh: Victories". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "AVP Pro Tour Athlete Nicole Branagh". AVP Beach Volleyball. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Nicole Branagh: 2004–07". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Nicole Branagh: 2008–13". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  10. ^ "Nicole Branagh". United States Olympic Committee. 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