Rock Valley College has selected Taylor Ignoto as the new leader of the women’s basketball program. Ignoto succeeds former head coach Misty Opat, who left to become the head coach at NCAA Division I Chicago State University. RVC is coming off a 22-13 season and NJCAA national tournament runner-up finish.
“I am extremely grateful to Darin Monroe and the rest of the search committee for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball team,” said Ignoto. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew Rock Valley College was a special place. I am excited to build on the momentum and continue to grow this program.”
Ignoto has spent the past two seasons on the bench as an assistant coach on JD Gravina’s staff at NCAA Division I Western Illinois University. In two seasons, Western Illinois compiled an overall record of 48-17 and in 2016-2017 won the Summit League regular season and tournament championship, as well as the team’s first NCAA tournament berth in 22 years. The Leathernecks also broke a total of 15 individual and team program records in the past two seasons.
“We are thrilled to add Coach Ignoto to our staff at Rock Valley College,” said Assistant Athletic Director Darin Monroe. “Taylor comes highly recommended by many very well-respected people in the profession. Her energy, attention to detail, and ability to relate with student-athletes really stood out. I have no doubt that she will continue the success of our women’s basketball program here at RVC.”
Ignoto began her career as a student assistant at Division II powerhouse Washburn University, where she recruited potential student-athletes and assisted with individual workouts and skill development.
Along with coaching experience, Ignoto has experience playing collegiately at Washburn. During her senior year, she started 24 out of 27 games and led her team in scoring at 14.0 points per game, which was 10th in the MIAA rankings. Ignoto also earned Honorable Mention All-MIAA. As a junior, she transferred to Washburn from Mineral Park Area College and played the second semester, averaging 12.3 points per game, which would have ranked 19th in the MIAA.
At Mineral Area College, she averaged 17.2 points per game and earned Honorable Mention All-America, as well as First Team All-Region and All-Conference. Prior to Mineral Area College, she played her freshman season at Southern Illinois University.
Tagged with: Head Coach NJCAA
