The Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Sea Lions’ women’s volleyball team will have a different look when it returns this fall, driven by the recent hiring of new head coach Rochelle Short.
“I’m excited to be coming home,” said Short. “Point Loma has a great tradition. I am blessed to be given the opportunity to coach here. I believe this program has limitless potential.”
Short, a former PLNU middle blocker from 2001-03, returns to Point Loma after serving as assistant director for the Temecula Volleyball Club, which manages more than 20 teams.
Sea Lion supporters hope Short can bring about the same level of success and energy as PLNU’s head coach that she did as a player earlier this decade.
PLNU compiled an overall record of 92-19 during her three seasons at PLNU.
“We are thrilled to have Rochelle as our volleyball coach,” said PLNU athletic director Carroll Land.
“I have no doubt that Sea Lion volleyball will continue to flourish under her skilled coaching and leadership,” Land said. “She has achieved success as a coach and she has a recruiting network already in place.”
The Sea Lions women’s volleyball program is coming off a winning season in 2007 (17-13), but the team finished under .500 (9-11) in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), and it suffered a first-round playoff loss to Concordia.
During her time at PLNU, Short was an All-Conference and All-Region selection.
Short was named as a NAIA First Team All-American in her junior and senior seasons and was named MVP in 2003.
The PLNU roster will be largely the same as last year ” minus departed seniors Jill Konderik, Connie Irwin, Natalie Acklin and Amy Worgull ” with one notable exception.
On the recruiting front, the Sea Lions recently signed Carlsbad High School standout Tabitha Henken to play for the upcoming season. The 6’2″ outside hitter is currently in her senior year and has been a starter throughout high school. She led the Lancers to three league titles and a state quarterfinals appearance in 2007.
Henken is a two-time All-League selection and First Team All-CIF pick. A two-time Lancer Team MVP, she captured honors as Redondo Beach All-Tournament and “Today’s Local News” All-Star selection.
She was also named one of the country’s Top 200 senior aces by “Prep Volleyball.” She’s also a CIF San Diego Section Sportsmanship Award winner and North County Times Player of the Year.
Henken was also a standout for the Carlsbad track and field team throughout high school and made the CIF finals in the long jump, triple jump and high jump.