Courtesy of Southern Virginia Athletic Communications

BUENA VISTA, Va. — Southern Virginia University Director of Athletics Jason Lamb today removed the interim title from MaKenzie Cox, promoting her to head women's soccer coach.

Cox served as the women's soccer interim head coach for the entire 2016 season after previous head coach, Matt Grawrock, accepted a position as the university's full-time compliance officer.

"We are excited that Coach Cox has accepted the offer to be the head coach of women's soccer," Lamb said. "She did a great job as interim head coach, and we are confident she can take the program to the next level."

Last season, Cox led women's soccer to a 6-11 record including a pair of conference wins, improving from a one-win conference season in 2015. The Knights also won their season opener under Cox for the first time since 2008.

"This is an exciting time to be a part of Southern Virginia University athletics," Cox commented. "It has been so rewarding to watch the progress of the soccer program. There is great growth from our team as a unit and as individuals."

Cox was named interim head coach in July 2016, replacing her former coach, Grawrock, for whom she played four years. Cox also served on Grawrock's staff as goalkeepers' coach in 2015.

"Coach Grawrock made a lasting impact on the players who played for him," said Cox. "For me, he provided a lot of opportunities to learn and grow. He also helped me find a passion for coaching — a different side of soccer that I didn't know I would love."

Grawrock served as the Knights head women's soccer coach from 2007 to 2016. During his nine-year tenure, he became the program's all-time winningest coach with total record of 62-86-8. He also led the Knights to a 2008 USCAA National Champions with a 3-0 shutout over Christendom College.

In 2010-11, Grawrock helped spearhead Southern Virginia's efforts to explore NCAA membership. In the subsequent years, he has played a crucial role in guiding the university through its successful path towards full NCAA DIII and Capital Athletic Conference membership. Today, Grawrock continues to serve as the university's NCAA Compliance Director and Athletic Academic Director.