By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Kendall Bergsten has been hired as the assistant volleyball coach at Willamette University, Head Coach Lily Hallock recently announced. Bergsten has started her new duties with the arrival of the Willamette volleyball team on campus this week.
"I am thrilled to have Kendall join our coaching staff," Hallock said. "Throughout the interview process, it was clear that she has an open and welcoming personality that will help her connect with a wide range of people."
"I'm excited for the opportunity," Bergsten said. "I agree with Lily's philosophies and I look forward to assisting her. After being in the gym with the team the past couple of days, I've really enjoyed the positive energy and work ethic the team is bringing, especially during these difficult times."
In the fall of 2019, Bergsten was an assistant coach at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Willamette and Pacific both compete in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference. Bergsten also has served as a coach with the NPJ Volleyball Club in Salem since July of 2019. She is the head coach of the 11 National squad and is an assistant coach with the 16 Elite team.
Her coaching experience also includes working as the head coach at Riverdale High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon, during the 2018 season. She has previous club coaching experience with the YVBA in Lake Oswego, Webfoot Volleyball Club in Eugene, Oregon, Genuine Volleyball Club, in Carlsbad, California, and AZ Desert Sky in Phoenix, Arizona. She worked at the University of Oregon summer camps in 2015 and from 2017-19.
"I'm a passionate, technical coach who wants to spread my knowledge and love for the game to my players," Bergsten explained. "I'm really big on instilling confidence in my players. Ultimately I want to spread my passion for the game of volleyball. I firmly believe that if the players are enjoying what they're doing, then they will be successful on the court. On the other hand, while being successful on the court is important, anything I can do off the court to help them succeed in the classroom and life will also be a priority."
Bergsten played college volleyball at North Idaho College, Arizona Christian University, and Northwest Christian University (2015-16). She helped North Idaho place fifth and ninth at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. She helped Northwest Christian upset #21-ranked Corban University. She graduated from Northwest Christian in December of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
"Kendall has experience coaching at many levels and enjoys learning and improving," Hallock noted. "I hope her joy of learning and love for volleyball help fuel our team as we work to improve."
