Buzzards Bay, Mass. --  Christine Ratches, who was a two-sport standout at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the early 90’s and also served as the school’s Head Volleyball Coach for six seasons, has returned to that same position at her alma mater.  Ratches’ appointment was announced today by Bob Corradi, Massachusetts Maritime’s Director of Athletics.

Ratches replaces Ashley Lorance, who resigned from her positions of both Head Volleyball and Head Softball Coach at the Academy in the spring.  Lorance guided the Buccaneer volleyball squad for two seasons, and she was replaced on the softball diamond earlier this summer by former Emerson standout Lindsay DeStefano.

A resident of Forestdale, Mass., Ratches served as the Buccaneers’ head coach from 2000 through 2005, where she compiled 18 overall victories but led her squad to continued improvement after inheriting a program that had won just one match prior to her first appointment a decade ago, a feat that was recognized by her peers when she was named as the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2005.  Christine also served as the Academy’s Assistant Softball Coach during the 2005 campaign.

“Christine has played a large role in the development of our volleyball program both as a player and as a coach, and it’s a pleasure to welcome her back as our head coach,” Corradi said of Ratches’ appointment.  “Her dedication, knowledge and passion of both the sport and of the Academy will undoubtedly serve her well once again in this position, and our student-athletes will benefit greatly from her return.”

A 1994 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime, Ratches shined in the sports of volleyball and softball during her matriculation, earning all-MASCAC accolades as an outside hitter and defensive specialist in 1993 while posting a career batting average of .450 on the diamond.  Christine served as the Bucs’ team captain in both sports during her senior season, and she capped her career by being named as the Academy’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1994.

“It’s a great honor to return to a program that means so much to me personally, and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” Ratches said of her appointment.  “There’s is a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding both the volleyball and athletic department as a whole at the Academy, and I’m very happy to be back and to be a part of that.”

Massachusetts Maritime will begin the second Christine Ratches era on the volleyball court in just over a month on Wednesday, September 1^st when the Buccaneers host Coast Guard in a non-league match at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT.