Wooldridge Back With Dawgs As Assistant Coach
July 11, 2023 | Volleyball, Washington Athletics Staff Central
SEATTLE β Washington Head Coach Leslie Gabriel today announced the addition of Hardy Wooldridge to the Husky coaching staff as an assistant coach. Wooldridge was on the UW sidelines for two years as a volunteer assistant in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, so Gabriel knows well the quality of coach the Huskies are bringing in.Β
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Since beginning his collegiate coaching career at Washington as a volunteer coach in 2016-17, Wooldridge went on to serve as a full-time assistant coach and associate head coach for four seasons at Fresno State, before moving to the powerhouse Pepperdine men's program for the 2023 spring season.
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The Mission Viejo, Calif. native now returns to the women's game and to the university where he completed his Bachelors degree in Geography in 2016. Wooldridge is married to former Husky outside hitter Gabbi Parker, a 2013 graduate.
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"I am very happy to welcome back Hardy Wooldridge," said Gabriel. "Hardy is an extremely hard worker, an exceptional teacher, and someone who is passionate about the game of volleyball and learning. Hardy has helped and impacted the people around him everywhere he has been, the players he coached and the staff he worked alongside. We are thrilled to add him to our staff and to bring both he and Gabbi back to Seattle."
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Wooldridge spent two seasons as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Huskies in 2016 and 2017. Those two seasons saw the Huskies win the 2016 Pac-12 title and finish tied for second in 2017, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2016 and the second round in 2017.
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"I want to thank Tui, Erin O'Connell and the rest of the UW staff for this opportunity," said Wooldridge. "Gabbi and I are thrilled to return to the University of Washington. I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of a program with such a legacy of excellent people and success. Tui has had an incredible influence on the program during the last two decades and I'm very excited to work under her leadership."
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When former Husky assistant coach Jonathan Winder was named Head Coach at Fresno State, Wooldridge headed with Winder to the Mountain West. There they made a quick impact as the Bulldogs broke the school record for most conference wins in school history in 2018 with 13, taking second in the league. The team went on to play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, earning the program's first postseason selection since 2002. The squad produced 11 All-Mountain West Conference honorees in their four seasons, including a program-record four in 2018.
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Wooldridge then headed to Malibu when Winder was named Head Coach of the Pepperdine men's program. During their first season in 2023, the Waves finished the year ranked No. 10 nationally and produced a pair of AVCA All-Americans.
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Wooldridge played collegiately at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada.Β He then played overseas for Colombier Volley LNB in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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Since beginning his collegiate coaching career at Washington as a volunteer coach in 2016-17, Wooldridge went on to serve as a full-time assistant coach and associate head coach for four seasons at Fresno State, before moving to the powerhouse Pepperdine men's program for the 2023 spring season.
Β
The Mission Viejo, Calif. native now returns to the women's game and to the university where he completed his Bachelors degree in Geography in 2016. Wooldridge is married to former Husky outside hitter Gabbi Parker, a 2013 graduate.
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"I am very happy to welcome back Hardy Wooldridge," said Gabriel. "Hardy is an extremely hard worker, an exceptional teacher, and someone who is passionate about the game of volleyball and learning. Hardy has helped and impacted the people around him everywhere he has been, the players he coached and the staff he worked alongside. We are thrilled to add him to our staff and to bring both he and Gabbi back to Seattle."
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Wooldridge spent two seasons as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Huskies in 2016 and 2017. Those two seasons saw the Huskies win the 2016 Pac-12 title and finish tied for second in 2017, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2016 and the second round in 2017.
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"I want to thank Tui, Erin O'Connell and the rest of the UW staff for this opportunity," said Wooldridge. "Gabbi and I are thrilled to return to the University of Washington. I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of a program with such a legacy of excellent people and success. Tui has had an incredible influence on the program during the last two decades and I'm very excited to work under her leadership."
Β
When former Husky assistant coach Jonathan Winder was named Head Coach at Fresno State, Wooldridge headed with Winder to the Mountain West. There they made a quick impact as the Bulldogs broke the school record for most conference wins in school history in 2018 with 13, taking second in the league. The team went on to play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, earning the program's first postseason selection since 2002. The squad produced 11 All-Mountain West Conference honorees in their four seasons, including a program-record four in 2018.
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Wooldridge then headed to Malibu when Winder was named Head Coach of the Pepperdine men's program. During their first season in 2023, the Waves finished the year ranked No. 10 nationally and produced a pair of AVCA All-Americans.
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Wooldridge played collegiately at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada.Β He then played overseas for Colombier Volley LNB in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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