Story courtesy of Southwestern Sports Information
GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Glada Munt announced Wednesday the resignation of head volleyball coach Hannah Long, who has agreed to serve in the same position at Queens University, an NCAA Division II school in Charlotte, N.C.
In her 12 seasons at Southwestern, Long left an indelible mark on the volleyball program with three Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) championships (2005, '09 and '15), while earning SCAC Coach of the Year honors five times (2005, '08, '09, '11 and '14). Long also was named the 2009 AVCA South Region Coach of the Year.
She accumulated a 363-94 overall record while leading the Pirates. Long is the program's all-time leader in winning percentage (.794) and SCAC winning percentage (.843).
"Southwestern has been such a wonderful home," Long said. "I appreciate the opportunity the University and Dr. Munt gave me 12 years ago and thank everyone in the Southwestern community for their support. Our program's achievements are a reflection of that support which, I am confident, will continue in the future."
"Twelve years ago I took a chance on a young, inexperienced coach when I hired Coach Long, but my instincts proved solid as she has built an outstanding legacy here at Southwestern," said Dr. Munt. "We are appreciative of all that she has doen not only for our volleyball program but also for the Pirate Athletic Department and the University. We wish Coach Long much success in her new endeavors as we begin our search for the person who will lead Southwestern into our next era."
During her tenure, Long led the Pirates to 10 NCAA postseason appearances, advancing to the NCAA Regional Final twice.
From the bench Long mentored 43 All-SCAC players, including 22 first-teamers. She also tutored 22 all-region and 16 All-America selections, including the only AVCA first-team All-America picks in program history, Christina Nicholls (2011) and Kaitlyn Foster (2015). Additionally, 108 Southwestern volleyball student-athletes were named to the SCAC Academic Honor Roll under her watch.
In 2008, the Pirates swept the major awards in the conference after posting a 36-5 mark which represented the most wins in a single season for SU since joining the league in 1994. The Pirates advanced to the NCAA Regional Final where they lost in five sets to the eventual national champion, Emory. SU ended the season ranked ninth in the final AVCA poll.
Long guided Southwestern back to the NCAA Championships last fall, as the Pirates won the SCAC Tournament on their home floor. Long's final team in Georgetown posted a 31-5 overall record, while three players earned all-league honors.
"To all of our Pirate volleyball athletes current and former – it has been a privilege," Long continued. "You have positively impacted my life in immeasurable ways. Thank you for everything. I expect nothing but continued success under the next head coach as the foundation of dedication is firmly established."
A nationwide search will commence immediately.
