Adrienne Beltrami would have been more than happy to spend the rest of her coaching career with Ripon High, but she could not pass up an opportunity to fulfill longtime dream of leading a program in the college ranks.
On July 20, Holy Names University announced the hiring of Beltrami as its new women’s volleyball coach. Erin Cutino has taken over as Ripon’s varsity coach.
Beltrami, 36, previously served as the first assistant for the Stanislaus State volleyball team before starting with Ripon, her alma mater. The Indians qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs in each of the five years under Beltrami. Last season was her most successful, as Ripon went 20-10 and lost to defending state champion Sonora in the semifinals. Beltrami has coached for 15 years, including a stint at Modesto High where she led the Panthers to the Modesto Metro Conference championship in 2007.
“I did not go searching for something else because I wasn’t happy,” Beltrami said. “I was at Stanislaus State almost three years when the Ripon High job opened up, and I jumped on it because it’s my hometown and I wanted to go back and be a part of it.
“If God wanted me to be at Ripon for the rest of my life I would have been very content with that. I believe things happen for a reason. It’s bittersweet because I really love Ripon High, my girls, the community and my coaching staff.”
Beltrami, who is six-months pregnant with her second child, will remain in town and commute to her new job in Oakland. She will also continue serving as owner/director and coach for the Pulse Volleyball Club.
Holy Names, an NCAA Division II school, went 1-17 in the PacWest and 3-24 last season. Beltrami and the Hawks will hold their first practice next Monday.
“I love it at Holy Names,” Beltrami said. “It’s very comparable to Ripon and that’s the best way I can describe it. The people are kind, helpful and loving and they work hard. I feel like everybody there would love Ripon and everyone at Ripon would love it there. It’s been really awesome and I’m excited to get going.”
Cutino was Beltrami’s sophomore coach in 2011 and since coached lower-level teams for George Contente, Ripon’s girls basketball coach who stepped down after the 2015-16 season. In the early 2000s, Beltrami was the Indian’s sophomore girls head coach with Cutino serving as her assistant, but their relationship goes back even further.
“I coached Erin when I was in high school,” Beltrami said. “She’d come to our summer league, so I’ve known her for most of my life.”
Cutino inherits a talented team led by seniors, including outside hitter and reining All-Area MVP and outside hitter Samantha McCreath. Middle blockers Breana Barrios, setter Lauren Wiebe and libero Ashlyn Eisenga are other key returners.
“Hopefully they go on to win (Trans-Valley) league like I expect them to,” Beltrami said.
She’ll also be rooting on another former assistant and Ripon graduate. This past April, Jocelyn Benziger was named head coach of neighboring Ripon Christian, the section’s most decorated small-school club and a Southern League powerhouse.
“It’s kind of emotional for me actually,” Beltrami said. “It’s awesome to see my friends and colleagues be part of this dream with me. I couldn’t have asked for anything better for Ripon to know that all the girls are in good hands with these amazing women. That’s what it’s all about for me; I wanted to make sure all the girls are taken care of.
“Erin and Jocelyn are two of my best friends, and if not for people like them I wouldn’t be where I am. I learned from them and they supported me and helped me in so many different ways in my life.”
