Alan Segal enters his fourth season leading the Cougar Volleyball program, compiling a 73-29 (.716) record overall including 40-8 in the Jayhawk Conference.

After securing their third straight conference runner-up finish in their last regular season game with a 3-1 win over Hutchinson, the Lady Cougar’s had the momentum of reaching their goal of reaching back to back national tournament appearances within their grasp. But that was all crushed after losing 17-19 in a five set battle against Seward County in the semifinals in the Region VI/Plains District Tournament.

Six different Cougars were named to the All-KJCCC and Region VI teams. Headlining the selections was Mylena Testoni after being awarded Most Valuable Player for the second straight season, a feat which has not been done in the conference since 2012-2013. In addition to MVP, she was also named to the first team, leading to her second straight two-time NJCAA first team All-American. Tasiah Nunnery joined Testoni on the All-KJCCC/Region VI first team, while libero Hanna Miller, setter Isabella Guedes, and the 2020-21 freshman of the year Maria Santos were elected onto the 2nd team. Victoria Da Silva was the loan member on honorable mention to round out the selections.

In the classroom, the 2021-22 team accumulated a 3.95 GPA crowning them the three-time NJCAA Academic Team of the Year while also earning AVCA academic accolades. In addition, the Lady Cougars also had the highest GPA of any other sport in the NJCAA for the second consecutive year with all 15 of Segal’s players named earning Academic All-America status with 12 on the first team (4.0 GPA), two on the second team (3.80-3.99), and one to the third team (3.60-3.79).

2020-21 was a season to remember for Segal as his Cougars hoisted the Region VI/Plains District trophy for the first time since 2011. Making an NJCAA leading 23rd appearance on the national stage. Barton capped the cherished season with a 25-6 overall mark and runner-up finish in the Jayhawk at 14-2.

Six different Cougars, along with Segal, collected postseason accolades. Freshman Mylena Testoni became the 29th Cougar to gather NJCAA All-American status to go along with her KJCCC/Region VI Player of the Year. Freshman Maria Santos earned KJCCC/Region VI freshman of the year, while four other Cougars earned first team, second team or honorable mention selection onto the KJCCC/Region VI teams. Segal captured his first coaching award since joining Barton claiming the Region VI/Central Plains Coach of the Year award.

Off the court, Segal’s Cougars showed excellence in the classroom, topping all NJCAA team sports with a 3.93 GPA, claiming its’ second consecutive NJCAA and AVCA national crowns. For the volleyball program overall, the Cougars have won three of the past five team GPA titles.

In Segal’s first season, Barton fought through adversity battling to a second place finish in the Jayhawk Division I standings posting a 13-3 league mark. Catching fire late winning 10 of their final 12 matches, Barton saw its season conclude for the second straight year in the semifinals of the Region VI tournament capping the year at 24-12.

Segal’s major achievement in his first season came against rival Hutchinson Community College as the Cougars snapped a pair of droughts earning the program’s first win at the Sports Arena in eight season and earning its’ first sweep over Hutchinson since 2011.

In the classroom Segal’s Cougars captured both the NJCAA and AVCA national academic team champion awards, compiling a 3.83 GPA and was a mere .03 shy of the nation’s best overall GPA across all sports. A national classroom champion two of the past four years, this season's Cougars had nine of its members earn NJCAA academic awards of over a 3.60 GPA including five earning first team distinction of a perfect 4.0 GPA.

On the court, the Cougars received six all-conference awards, to go along with an NJCAA All-American. Sophomore Karina de Oliveira became the 28th Cougar to garner NJCAA All-American status after climbing up the program record books throughout the year etching her name atop the single season charts in digs, earning a NJCAA honorable mention selection, along with her First Team Jayhawk West and Region VI honors. Joining Oliveira on the conference first team list was Rayanne de Oliveira while Agnieska Paskevic landed on the second team. A first team selection from the 2018 season, Migle Mazurkeviciute earned honorable mention along with Mackenzie Pease and Victoria O'Keefe.

Bringing over thirty years of experience in volleyball to the Lady Cougars, Segal came to Barton after serving as assistant coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Segal served two separate stints at UAB, from 2017-19 and in 2008 helping lead the Blazers to its first NCAA Tournament victory in concluding the season 13-3 in Conference USA and 27-8 overall.

Known for his positive energy and tireless work ethic, Segal’s resume includes fourteen years of collegiate head coaching experience and over twenty-nine years of volleyball officiating including as an AVP Beach Volleyball referee and as an official during the NJCAA National Championships in 1994 and 1995 when the Cougars finished 4th and 5th nationally under Barton Hall of Fame Coach Reay Bechard.

Inducted into the Armstrong State University Athletic Hall of Fame, Segal led the Pirates to five NCAA DII National Tournament appearances and was named the Peach Belt Coach of the Year three times.

In addition to UAB and Armstrong, Segal has also coached at Eastern Illinois and Tulane, to go along with coaching in the USA National program.

Segal spent time as an assistant coach for the USA Men's National Team at the 2010 World Club Championships and the USA Men's Maccabiah Games in 1997 and 1993 as well as the USA Women's Maccabiah Games in 1985 where the team claimed a silver medal in 1985 and a bronze medal in 1993.

He also served as the head coach for the USA Men's team at the USA Maccabiah Games on three separate occasions, winning silver in 2001 and 2009 and taking home bronze in 2005.

A native of southern California, Segal earned his bachelor's degree in recreation management with a minor in physical education from Sacramento State in 1982 where he also played varsity basketball and baseball in addition to club volleyball.