LA VERNE, CA — Jenna Panatier has announced she will step down as the head volleyball coach at the University of La Verne. Panatier will continue her work at La Verne as the full-time senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator.

Associate Head Coach Jeff Hendershot will lead the Leopards this fall as the interim head coach.

Panatier led the Leopards' program for eight seasons, amassing an overall record of 145-83 with a .635 winning percentage. Panatier guided the Leopards to the SCIAC Postseason Tournament in six of her eight seasons and her squads made appearances in three NCAA Tournaments.

Under her tutelage a total of 15 Leopards were named First Team All-SCIAC, 12 earned All-West Region accolades, and eight were tabbed All-Americans. She also mentored Kelsi Robinson to 2016 SCIAC Athlete of the Year honors.

"We are extremely grateful for the work Jenna has done with the La Verne volleyball program," said University of La Verne Director of Athletics Scott Winterburn. "She helped maintain La Verne as one of the top programs in Division III and leaves the team in great shape to continue its success. While we will miss her presence on the floor coaching the squad, we are extremely excited as she pursues the next chapter in her career helping lead the La Verne administrative team."

Hendershot takes over the ranks this season but is no stranger to the Leopards' program. He joined Panatier's staff in 2011 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2017. He has been a valued member of the Leopard coaching staff and was a part of La Verne's NCAA Championship runs in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

"We are happy to announce that Jeff Hendershot has been named as the Interim Head Volleyball Coach at the University of La Verne," said Winterburn. "Jeff has been an integral member of our volleyball staff for the past eight seasons, while also building a fine reputation within the volleyball community in Southern California."

Hendershot spent the 2013-2014 season as the first assistant coach for the NCAA Division I University of the Pacific's men's volleyball team, in the program's final year of sponsorship. Prior to 2010, Hendershot played collegiately at the University of the Pacific, where he was a four-year letter winner. As a senior, he started in 20 matches and led the Tiger volleyball squad with 256 kills. 

An alumnus of Claremont High School, Hendershot was a three-year letter winner with the Wolfpack. He also currently serves as the Co-Director at Pacific Juniors Volleyball Club in La Verne.

"I am extremely grateful to Scott, Jenna, and the University of La Verne for entrusting me with this special program," said Hendershot. "I've been fortunate to be part of this team for the last eight years and I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead this group of intelligent, hard-working, and dedicated young women."

The Leopards open the 2019 season at home on August 30 in the annual Pacific Coast Classic with a 1 p.m. game against Augsburg.