From Player To Coach

Courtesy of Bonita Joe - Camosun Chargers

Camosun College welcomes former Chargers men’s volleyball player and Centre for Sport and Exercise Education Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy graduate Brent Hall as the new Head Coach of the Chargers women’s volleyball program.

Hall, who helped Camosun win back-to-back BCCAA Provincial Men’s Volleyball Championship titles in 2009 and 2010, takes over the reins of the Chargers women’s volleyball program from former Head Coach Chris Dahl who has piloted the program since Fall, 2010. Following seven seasons with the Chargers and having led his 2016-17 squad to a silver medal at the 2017 CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship, Chris has moved to a full-time position with Volleyball BC as Director of Coach Development.

“Seven seasons at the helm provided an incredible number and variety of experiences on the court and off and I’m thankful for the opportunity,” says Dahl who will continue on with the Chargers as an assistant coach. “I'm most comfortable in the gym working alongside athletes and I'm grateful that Brent is providing me with an opportunity to continue to serve the program in this capacity.”

While Coach Hall is excited to put his own stamp on the program, he is avidly aware of the challenges he faces and the help he’ll need to be successful.

“Coaching at the post-secondary level will be a new challenge for me and I am extremely excited to be taking it on,” states Coach Hall. “Although they won't be making a full commitment to the team's schedule, both Chris Dahl and Chris Abra will be back to help out this season. Being my first year in the league means I have a lot to learn and they are interested in sharing their experience and expertise with me so the transition goes smoothly for the team. They've been heavily involved behind the scenes already and I greatly appreciate their mentorship.”

Rounding out the coaching roster are three prominent individuals from the volleyball community: Victoria Volleyball Association Executive member and high school/club coach Jeremy Schmidt, who will be a primary assistant coach, former UBC women’s assistant coach and AVP pro tour player, Leah Pezer and CIS Academic All-Canadian, Carolyn MacDonald whose experience as a national calibre athlete, along with her understanding of team dynamics will serve to compliment the skills of the coaching team.

With a strong support system in place, Coach Hall is assembling his 2017-18 crew following the departure of such notable players as Katie Fetting (5th year), Lainey Jantzi (5th year), Morgan Monkman (2nd year), Mychaela Roelants (4th year) and fourth-year phenom Michelle Zygmunt, who was named MVP of the 2017 CCAA National Championship.

“We lost several key people who have graduated or are moving on to other pursuits, but we have a lot of talent coming in and we have a realistic shot at being competitive in the PACWEST this season,” comments Coach Hall. “It's an honour to have been selected to take over a program with such a pedigree of success. I look forward to bringing new ideas to the team and building on the culture Chris Dahl, Chris Abra and the other coaches have created.”