Appleman has accomplished quite a bit during her first five seasons at the helm of the Yale volleyball team. She led the Bulldogs to the highest winning percentage in program history in 2005 (.833), and in 2004 directed the team to its first Ivy League title since 1978 and first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Also in 2004, she was named the Tachikara/AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. That season, her Bulldogs were the first Ivy League team to host and win an NCAA Tournament match, when they defeated Albany in the first round at the John J. Lee Amphitheater.

Yale played arguably the most challenging schedule in program history in 2007 and posted a 16-10 record. The Bulldogs won the season-opening Yale Invitational, then hosted eventual national finalists Penn State and Stanford the following week. Yale also played perennial powers Florida, Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara during the 2007 season. The Bulldogs have won at least 10 conference matches in each of the last four seasons and boast a record of 52-20 against Ivy League opponents during her tenure. Her overall career record is 86-38.

"Yale is a tremendous place to coach because of the personal makeup of our players -- the student-athletes on our team know what it means to compete and set high goals or else they wouldn't be here," Appleman said. "Our players are dedicated and committed to each other and, because they love this institution, I have no doubt we will play to our potential and improve as a team every single year."

Appleman helped lead Penn State to the 1999 NCAA Championship as an assistant coach and made an instant impact in New Haven during the 2003 season. She guided the Bulldogs to their best start in 11 years and a 16-9 overall record. The Bulldogs concluded the 2003 Ivy League season by winning six of their final eight matches.

Appleman spent eight years as an assistant coach at Penn State. During her tenure, the Nittany Lions reached the NCAA Final Four five times (1993-94, 1997-99) and won five Big Ten championships. In addition, she served as an assistant coach for the USA Youth National Team in 1995 and 1996. Prior to Penn State, Appleman served as an assistant coach at Cal State-Northridge and the University of San Diego.

"Our volleyball team is surrounded by loyal supporters throughout the campus -- the chemistry between the athletic and academic departments is positive, and our administrative staff encourages our players and coaches to maintain high standards," she said. "Volleyball at Yale plays a vital role in the development of the total person, and we continually emphasize to our players the importance of positive energy, pride and commitment."

Appleman is a 1990 graduate of San Diego State, where she served as volleyball captain and was voted Most Valuable Player in 1989. Before transferring to San Diego State, she competed for two years at United States International University. In addition, she was a member of the Asics Tiger Junior Volleyball club for six years and was selected as MVP at the Junior National Tournament in 1985 when her team won the title.

Her husband, Christian, is the assistant coach for the Yale men's tennis team. They have two children: Justin, 7, and Emma, 5.