Haley Doerfler has been selected to lead the Linfield College women's volleyball program, director of athletics Garry Killgore announced on Friday. Doerfler emerged as the preferred choice by a search committee that included athletics administrators and two current volleyball team members. She takes over leadership of the program from Josh Davis, who left after two seasons.
 
Doerfler becomes the first woman to direct the volleyball program since Robin Vealey coached the Wildcats to a 30-7 record and the Northwest Conference championship in 1979.
 
"The search committee was very impressed with Haley's ability to connect with our student-athletes and with members of the committee," said Killgore. "Haley has great connections within the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, the South and Great Britain. Those should all aid in our pursuit of high-caliber volleyball student-athletes for Linfield."
 
Doerfler brings a mixture of collegiate and club coaching experience, as well as substantial college and high school playing experience, to her new position.
 
Most recently, she spent one year as an assistant coach at Seattle Pacific University and assisted at the University of North Alabama for one year. She also previously coached at Durham University in England, directing that school's indoor and sand volleyball programs while serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. Doerfler has six years of coaching experience at the club level.
 
Doerfler enjoyed an outstanding playing career, starring at middle blocker at Hawaii Pacific University, where she graduated from in 2015. During her four seasons at HPU, she piled up 394 blocks, leading the team in blocks in three of her four seasons. She also recorded 765 career kills, 208 of those coming as a senior in 2014. As a junior, Doerfler totaled 117 blocks and hit .309, earning all-Pacific West Conference third team honors. She was an honorable mention all-Pacific West honoree as a sophomore and again as a senior.
 
Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Doerfler's family settled in the southwest Washington city of Battle Ground. At Prairie High School, she was an all-state honoree and the Greater St. Helens League Most Valuable Player. She excelled at the club level, winning the JO National Championship in the American Division while being named to the all-tournament team.
 
"Haley is really well-thought-of by all who know her and we believe she will be an excellent positive role model for our young women to emulate," Killgore noted. "We are very excited to have her join our Linfield athletic department and our family."

Doerfler begins her new position on January 27.