Bethpage girls volleyball defeats Calhoun, delivers 700th victory for coach Anne DiPrima
Bethpage players celebrate head coach Anne DiPrima earning her 700th career win during a Nassau Conference AA-3 girls volleyball match against Calhoun on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Merrick. Credit: Derrick Dingle
Bethpage girls volleyball coach Anne DiPrima has led the Golden Eagles for nearly six decades. After 700 career wins, her love for the game remains as strong as ever.
“I tell the girls, do what you love and love what you do. If you do that, you’ll always be happy,” DiPrima said. “I walk into the gym every day happily, loving to be around the kids. This community and this administration have been fantastic.”
Bethpage defeated Calhoun, 25-17, 25-22, 25-17, in a Nassau A-III matchup on Wednesday night to secure the milestone 700th victory for DiPrima. The Golden Eagles (11-2) clinched at least a share of the conference title. Calhoun fell to 7-7.
DiPrima began her career at Bethpage in 1970 and became Long Island's winningest girls volleyball coach in 2017, when she eclipsed Smithtown coach Maura Stouter’s 590 wins. In 2018, she became the first Long Island coach to reach 600 wins and is now the first to 700.
“I don’t even remember my first ever victory,” DiPrima said. “The game has changed so much. When I started, I think it was first to 15 points, or it was timed.”
DiPrima didn’t want to tell her team about the impending milestone, but they were all aware. The team surrounded her after the game as fans in the crowd held signs that read ‘700’. There were balloons, a cake, flowers and a framed photo with the achievement.
“I’m humbled, very happy and very surprised,” DiPrima said. “I was more concerned about the game, so everything here was a surprise to me. I’m extremely happy because it’s special. 700 is a big number.”
Shortly after retiring from teaching at Bethpage in 2012, DiPrima stopped coaching softball. Giving up volleyball wasn’t in her plans.
“A good coach can change the game, but a great coach can change your life,” DiPrima said. “I’ve always prayed that I can do that, that I can influence these girls' lives. The athletes are special to me and that’s what keeps me coming back.”
“Her passion brings out our passion,” Bethpage outside hitter Lily Pfeffer said. “She believes in us and truly loves us all. She deserves this. She’s a great person and somehow an even better coach.”
With 57 seasons under her belt, DiPrima has no plans to end her ride.
“When I hit 600 wins, I said, ‘I’ll do this as long as I love it and when I don’t, I’ll walk out,” DiPrima said. “That sentiment hasn’t changed. I’m just enjoying every minute right now.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
