Wake Forest Athletics
Heather Kahl Named Head Volleyball Coach
7/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 29, 2005
Winston-Salem, N.C. - Heather Kahl, an assistant coach at Wake Forest for the past five seasons, was named head volleyball coach, as announced today by athletic director Ron Wellman.
"Heather has been an integral part of our volleyball program for the past five years. She is highly respected by her peers. However, her greatest endorsement came from our volleyball student-athletes," said Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women's Administrator Barbara Walker. "Heather is a rising star in our profession and we are all looking forward to a very exciting and successful volleyball season."
"I would like to thank Barbara Walker and Ron Wellman for this incredible opportunity," said Kahl. "Wake has been home to me for the last five years and I am honored to be able to continue to be associated with a university so rich in academic and athletic tradition. The future for Wake Forest volleyball is an exciting one and we will continue to strive for excellence on the court and in the classroom."
Kahl served as the Demon Deacons' recruiting coordinator for the past five years and is largely responsible for the top-notch 2005 incoming class. In addition to coordinating all recruiting visits, she helped with day-to-day operations and was in charge of the guidance and training of the setters. Kahl also carried the responsibility of developing the team's defensive system and game strategies.
Kahl tutored former setter Ashlee Phillips to becoming the school's all-time assist leader in 2003. Also under her leadership, senior Erin Borhart finished the 2004 season third on the Wake Forest list for career assists.
Kahl has also coached two honorable mention All-Americans, two All-Region selections, five All-ACC players, one ACC Player of the Year, two AVCA All-District team members and one ACC Rookie of the Year.
Prior to her arrival at Wake Forest, Kahl began her coaching career as an assistant at Clemson. An assistant for five seasons, Kahl helped lead the Tigers to a 1997 ACC Tournament championship, a 1999 ACC regular season championship and three NCAA tournament appearances. She also coached one AVCA All-American in her tenure at Clemson.
As a player at Clemson, Kahl was honored as one of the top-50 players in the history of the ACC as a member of the 50th Anniversary Volleyball team.
Kahl led the Tigers to their first two NCAA tournament appearances and one ACC Tournament final as the team's starting setter from 1991 to 1994. In 1994, she had an outstanding season and was named second-team All-ACC and third team AVCA South Region.
Kahl earned her undergraduate degree in special education from Clemson in 1996 and completed her master's degree of education in guidance and counseling services from Clemson in 2000.
