By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University has hired Lily Hallock as the Bearcats' head volleyball coach, Director of Athletics Rob Passage announced today. Hallock most recently was an observer of volleyball officials for the Pac-12 Conference and was the head coach of volleyball at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 2012-17. Hallock will begin her duties immediately, working remotely along with the rest of the Athletics Department staff.

"I am thrilled to be coaching at a liberal arts university where student-athletes can thrive both academically and athletically, while receiving support and opportunities across campus," Hallock said. "Oregon is my home state and coaching college volleyball in the Willamette Valley is a dream come true."

She was the head volleyball coach at UW-La Crosse for five seasons. In her final two seasons with the Eagles they won back-to-back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships and made consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III Volleyball National Tournament. For her efforts, Hallock was chosen WIAC Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

Hallock was a graduate assistant volleyball coach at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and later served as Smith's interim head coach. She was at Smith from 2010 through 2012.  Prior to coaching at Smith, Hallock was the top assistant coach for the volleyball team at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 2007 through 2010. While at UCSC, she also was the assistant director of the Fitness and Wellness Center.

She began observing officials for the Pac-12 Conference this past fall, providing feedback to the coordinator of volleyball officials. Since 2017, she has been a head coach of the Webfoot Juniors Volleyball Club team in Eugene, Oregon.

"What I love about coaching Division III volleyball is the focus on developing the entire student-athlete," Hallock said. "I look forward to getting to know the women of the Willamette volleyball team and helping them develop so that as alumni they make the program and University proud.

"During the first months I'll connect with the volleyball student-athletes who are spread across the country," Hallock said. "The array of technology available makes that possible, and I look forward to getting to know them individually before they come to campus in August. I will also look to immerse myself in the Willamette community by reaching out to staff in the athletic department and across campus."

In college, Hallock played four seasons of NCAA Division III volleyball as a setter at UC Santa Cruz during the 1999 through 2002 seasons. She was chosen First Team All-Conference as a senior. She was a team captain for three years and was named team MVP twice. She also competed in basketball at UCSC. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon in 2006 and received a Master of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Studies from Smith College in 2012.

A member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), Hallock also is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

"When people come to watch Willamette volleyball next season they should expect to see a team that works together and supports each other, that loves volleyball and is passionate about competing," Hallock commented. "I want to thank Rob Passage, Leslie Shevlin and the rest of Willamette University for welcoming me as a Bearcat. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together."