BERKELEY – Cal head beach volleyball coach Meagan Owusu has received the AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award.

The honor recognizes 30 up-and-coming coaching talents across all levels of volleyball. To qualify for the award, nominees had to be younger than 30 years old in 2017.

"This award is an enormous honor," Owusu said. "I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by so many phenomenal mentors, staff and athletes."

Owusu, 28, is in her third season as head coach of the Bears. She has quickly elevated the program to the nation's elite, having ended each of her first two seasons at the helm in the national rankings. Cal is currently having its best season ever with a 14-3 record and a No. 14 ranking in the AVCA poll. The Bears are also ranked No. 12 by DiG Magazine.

"I absolutely love coaching at Cal," Owusu said. "From working with such extraordinary student-athletes to being surrounded by some of the best coaches in the world, there is no place I'd rather be. I am excited to continue to learn and grow as my career progresses."

Owusu already has put together an impressive coaching resume. She served as an assistant coach for Loyola Marymount's beach and indoor programs, helping the Lions' beach program get off the ground in 2013. She helped LMU's beach team to a No. 8 final national ranking in 2014 and twice assisted the Lions reach the AVCA National Championships. She also helped produce two AVCA Beach All-Americans while at Loyola.

Owusu served as an Associate Head Coach at Cal for one season before taking over the head coaching duties.

"Each year these selections get tougher and tougher as our sport is blessed with so many remarkable young coaches," AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer said. "They know they are the future of the sport and of the AVCA, and I'm impressed with their willingness to give of themselves and their desire to lead."

Owusu was chosen among 144 nominees, the most ever since the AVCA began the Thirty Under 30 program in 2009. Owusu was the only coach from an NCAA Division I beach program on this year's list.