DC Lands Former National Champion as Head Volleyball Coach

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College announced on Wednesday that it had hired Brie Hagerty as the next head coach for the Yellow Jacket volleyball program. Hagerty brings strong local ties and a rich volleyball pedigree with her to Defiance, where she will begin her post on January 17.

"We feel fortunate to have hired a candidate with the athletic background and strong local ties to the community that Brie will bring with her to Defiance College," said DC Athletics Director Jenni Morrison. "Coach Hagerty has experienced success on the highest level and we are eager to see her help our volleyball student-athletes continue to develop on and off the court."

"I would like to thank President Mark Gordon and Athletics Director Jenni Morrison for giving me this amazing opportunity," stated Hagerty. "After meeting with the administrative staff, as well as the team, I am excited about not only where the volleyball program is headed but also the entire athletics department here at Defiance College. The institution's commitment to the athletics program is evident with the addition of the George M. Smart Athletic Center and the additional varsity and club sports that have been added recently at DC."

Hagerty is a Defiance, Ohio native and was a two-time Western Buckeye League Player of the Year, while also earning First-Team All-Ohio honors in 2001 for Defiance High. After concluding a standout prep career, Hagerty began a collegiate career at Ohio State University and then transferred to the University of Washington for her final three seasons.

"Having grown up in Defiance, I am very familiar with the college and its role in the community," added Hagerty. "The team and I are very eager to become involved with the volleyball programs in the area."

During her time with the Huskies, Hagerty became a two-time All-PAC-10 performer and led Washington to a pair of PAC-10 Championships. The success continued on the national stage, where Hagerty and UW advanced to the NCAA Division I Final Four in 2004 and 2005 and claimed the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2005.

Hagerty went on to play two years of professional volleyball in Puerto Rico and was voted into the athletic Hall of Fame at the University of Washington, as well as Defiance High School in 2010.

Along with her extensive success on the volleyball court at the collegiate and professional ranks, Hagerty also boasts eight years of coaching experience at various club and prep levels, which includes stints on staff with Defiance High and multiple club programs.

Hagerty began her coaching career as an assistant for the Cascade Volleyball Club in 2004 and also worked the UW summer volleyball camps from 2004-2006, before returning to Northwest Ohio.

Since that time, Hagerty has spent the past six years as the director of the Hagerty Volleyball Camp that has hosted summer camps at several local high schools, including Defiance, Ayersville and Hicksville.

Hagerty has also served as the head coach of the Toledo Volleyball Club since 2008, leading the team to three-straight appearances at the United States of America Volleyball Nationals and working as the club's performance trainer since 2009.

"I am looking forward to seeing Brie grow as a coach," said Morrison. "We have a good group of players returning next season and I am excited to see the volleyball program continue to grow and succeed."

Hagerty will replace David Kwan, who accepted the same position at Adrian College after spending the past nine years at the helm of the DC squad.

The Yellow Jacket volleyball program posted a 14-16 record in 2011, making the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. DC is set to return 14-of-18 letterwinners for 2012, including Chelsea Ludeman and Alicia Kalik, who were named the HCAC Freshman of the Year in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The program has experienced plenty of success in the classroom as well, leading all HCAC volleyball squads with seven Academic All-HCAC performers from the fall semester. The Jackets combined for a 3.46 grade-point average in the fall, ranking tops among the 13 DC varsity athletics programs that posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Hagerty will look to build on those athletic and academic achievements. "We want to create a competitive environment in the gym, while continuing to stress the importance of community service and education. I can not express how excited I am to get started and to begin my journey as the head volleyball coach at Defiance College.