LA VERNE, CA — Jeff Hendershot has officially been named the University of La Verne head volleyball coach Director of Athletics Scott Winterburn announced.

Hendershot took over the helm last season as the interim head coach and led the Leopards to their sixth straight SCIAC Postseason Tournament appearance.

"I am thrilled to announce the hiring of Jeff Hendershot as our head volleyball coach," said Winterburn. "This past year, Jeff stepped into the role of interim head coach when former head coach Jenna Panatier took on administrative duties full time. Over the past season, he placed his young team into the SCIAC tournament, did an outstanding job recruiting, represented our brand well, and proved himself yet again to be an excellent professional.

"Jeff has been with us since 2010 first as a volunteer, then moved into a graduate assistant role, became an assistant, and then the associate head coach. Our volleyball program has an excellent history and national reputation, and I am thrilled to see Jeff connect the next generation of Leo Volleyball to our esteemed alumni base and supporters of our program. We are now excited to see what the future holds with Jeff leading the way."

Hendershot 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.

"I am extremely grateful to Scott, Jenna, and the University of La Verne for entrusting me with this special program," said Hendershot. "I'm thankful for the opportunity this last season to lead the team and am thrilled that it gave the administration the confidence to hire me as the full-time head coach. I'm truly honored to be able to lead this group of intelligent, hard-working, and dedicated young women in the years to come."

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. 

The Leopards finished the 2019 season with a 15-13 overall record and finished fourth in the SCIAC with a 9-7 mark. The Leopards lost just two seniors to graduation and are poised to take a run at the SCIAC title next season.

The University of La Verne volleyball program has produced three national championships, 26 NCAA Tournament appearances, and 22 SCIAC Championships.