COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Heather Collins has been named the volleyball coach at Lindsey Wilson College, the school announced on Wednesday.
Prior to taking over the Blue Raider program, Collins spent four seasons as assistant coach at College of the Sequoias (Calif.) and two years as head coach at Golden West High School in Visalia, Calif.
"Our goal is always to find the very best coach that believes in the mission of Lindsey Wilson College while providing a meaningful experience for our student-athletes," Lindsey Wilson athletics director Willis Pooler said. "We believe that Coach Collins embodies all of these attributes and we're excited about the future of Lindsey Wilson College volleyball under her direction."
Collins replaces Bill Shook -- who until recently served as the college's volleyball and men's and women's tennis coach. Shook is now focused solely on leading Lindsey Wilson's nationally-ranked tennis programs.
"I am excited to join such a dynamic institution with an athletic department with a proven track record of excellence," said Collins. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime to build a long term and highly successful volleyball program.
"I'm eager to start building relationships with clubs and high school coaches within Kentucky and the surrounding states to help our vision for the program come to fruition," Collins said. "I'm equally excited to begin working with our current student-athletes and building towards next season."
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Collins played volleyball collegiately at Christian Heritage (Calif.) College -- now known as San Diego Christian College -- from 1995-1999.
As a student-athlete, then as Heather McGovran, she earned NAIA All-American honors all four seasons. She was a two-time NCCAA Player of the Year (1997 and 1998), the 1996 NCCAA National Tournament Most Valuable Player and the 1995 Far West Region Rookie of the Year.
She helped Christian Heritage to the 1996 NCCAA National Championship and was inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions in 1999.
"I can't wait to work with these athletes towards building a championship-level volleyball program at Lindsey Wilson," said Collins. "I am truly honored and ready to get started."
