Jan. 29, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women's volleyball assistant coach Dennis Hohenshelt has been named the head coach of the University of Virginia Cavaliers. Hohenshelt served as the Penn State women's volleyball assistant coach for six season following 10 years as an assistant with the Penn State men's program.
"Coach Hohenshelt has a great background at one of the nation's top programs, Penn State University," said Virginia athletics director Craig Littlepage. "He knows the college and club volleyball communities from a national and regional perspective and will hit the ground running in an effort to get our program moving. We are lucky to get someone of his caliber to take over leadership of our program."
"I am extremely excited to become the Head Coach of the volleyball program at the University of Virginia," said Hohenshelt. "In my heart I felt that it was an opportunity that I could not pass up and look forward to spending time in Charlottesville."
"Over the last 16 years at Penn State my family and I have had the opportunity to create some amazing friendships that will last a lifetime. I would like to personally thank Mark Pavlik and Coach Rose for guiding me as a coach and providing me with opportunities to grow as a person and a teacher of the game of volleyball. The last six years with the women's program have been full of championships and amazing streaks that may never be broken, and I will always be proud to say that I was part of it.
"I would like to thank all of the players over years as they have been amazing representatives of Penn State and I am grateful that I have had to chance to coach them. I would also like to thank the administration for all of their support over the years - Tim Curley, Sue Scheetz, Charmelle Green, Richie Lucas, Bob Krimmel and Graham Spanier have given their fullest to make sure the volleyball programs thrived at Penn State and the success the programs have had over the years would not have been possible without them."
Hohenshelt spent the last six seasons assisting in match preparation, player development and recruiting. Under Hohenshelt's tutelage former middle hitter Arielle Wilson set the NCAA Division I record for career hitting percentage with a .468. In 2009, Wilson led the nation with a record-setting .540 hitting percentage and averaged 2.76 kills per set.
Most recently, Hohenshelt aided in the development of current Nittany Lion sophomore Katie Slay. Slay was named an 2011 AVCA Second Team All-American after earning First Team All-Big Ten laurels and being selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Slay led the team in blocks with 173, averaging 1.42 blocks per set. Her .386 hitting percentage ranks second in the Big Ten and in the top 15 in the nation, while her 1.42 blocks per set was a league best and also ranked in the top15 in the nation.
Hohenshelt was integral to the Penn State women's volleyball team's four consecutive NCAA titles. The team compiled a record of 199-18 during his six seasons. With the Penn State men's team, Hohenshelt helped guide the Lions to the 2008 NCAA title and a 237-82 record in 10 seasons.
"Dennis is a great coach and I'm sure the players and alumni will embrace his energy as he enters a new era with the program," said head coach Russ Rose.
Hohenshelt also boasts considerable experience with USAVolleyball as an assistant with the 1997, 2002 and 2004 U.S. Boys Youth National Team. He also scouted for the U.S. Men's National Team at the 1997 World Cup and aided with tryouts for the U.S. Men's National and Junior National team.
Hohenshelt was a 1993 graduate of Juniata College where he led the Eagles to consecutive EIVA Division III titles in 1992 and 1993. He was named MVP during his season year. Hohenshelt has a bachelor's degree in secondary education and social studies. Prior to joining the Penn State family, Hohenshelt served as an assistant coach for the Juniata men's program in 1994-95 and was promoted to head coach in 1996.
For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2011 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets.