New London — Former assistant coach Mark Thomas was named head coach of the Coast Guard Academy women's volleyball team on Tuesday.

Thomas, who spent the 2013 season on the Bears' coaching staff, replace Mike Bynon, who guided Coast Guard for five seasons.

Thomas, who was hired in June to be an assistant coach at American International College, will also teach physical education at Coast Guard. His coaching debut, however, will have to wait until 2021 because the Bears and the entire New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference canceled the 2020 season due the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is an honor and privilege to be selected as Coast Guard's head volleyball coach" Thomas said in a Coast Guard release. "I would like to thank (athletic director) Dr. (Dan) Rose and the hiring committee for their support and faith in me to lead an incredible group of young women that have dedicated their lives to helping others. I am excited to be back at the Academy and contribute towards the competitive, well-rounded experience that CGA provides."

Prior to taking the job at AIC, Thomas served as an assistant at George Mason for three seasons.

"I am thrilled to announce Mark Thomas as our next head women's volleyball coach," said Rose. "Mark emerged from a competitive field of candidates as the ideal choice to lead this program into an exciting new era of competitive success.

"He has worked at all levels of college volleyball and his coaching philosophy closely aligns with our Corps Values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. Mark is a welcome addition to the CGA coaching staff, and he will also be a great addition to the Health & Physical Education faculty."

Thomas is a graduate of Newbury College, where he played volleyball and was named the 2010 New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time first-team All-NECC pick. He still holds program records for career kills (1,778) and single-season kills (527).

He then became the head coach of both the men's and women's programs at his alma mater, leading the women's program to its first NECC tournament final in 2011. He was also named the men's NECC Coach of the Year in 2015.

Black Wolves sign Smith

• Brad Smith, 2019 Duke graduate who played both attack and midfield for the Blue Devils, has signed a two-year contract with the New England Black Wolves. Smith joins New England after helping the Whipsnakes win the Premier Lacrosse League title on Sunday, where he was a teammate of current Black Wolves player Joe Nardella. The 6-foot-3 Smith had eight goals and seven assists in six games during the two-week condensed season. He was a three-time All-American and two-time All-ACC pick at Duke where he had 87 career goals and 88 career assists.

College honors

• Seven members of the Connecticut College men's hockey team and three members of the women's hockey team were named All-American Scholars by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The men's selections were Paul Capozzi, Josh Chapman, Avery Gobbo, Kyle Moss, Connor Rodericks, Kyle Shero and Brett Sterling. The women's honorees were Erin Healy, Lauren Helm and Camille Phelan. Healy was the first player in Conn history — male or female — to earn the award all four years. To receive the honor, individuals have to attain a 3.75 GPA for the fall semester.

ECML

• Jeremy Santos had two hits, including a three-run home run, as the Knights beat the Pirates 7-5 in an Eastern Connecticut Major League game at Washington Park on Monday night. Sam Sabilia singled and drove in a run, and Bo Yaworski doubled for the Knights, who led 4-0 after two innings. Josh Gurnack and Tyler Nelli each had two hits, including a double, for the Pirates and Brian McGugan doubled. The Pirates will play the Sonics in a play-in game this Thursday night at Washington Park at 6 with the winner advancing to the semifinals.

• Drew Daley was the winning pitcher and had a two-run double as the Clams beat the Tides 7-2 on Sunday. Pat Voelker had a pair of sacrifice flies for the Clams.