Warriors Add New HC Hannah Matt to WBVB

By Francisco Claudio

 

Westcliff Athletics is excited to welcome the new head coach of the women's beach volleyball team, Hannah Matt.

 

It's a magical pairing between Matt who has found lots of success as a player and coach in Southern California, and the Westcliff WBVB program which most recently was crowned the 2023 NAIA West Region National Qualifier champions.

 

Matt first started playing volleyball in high school back in Iowa which was where she fell in love with the sport.

 

Her goal to play both indoor and beach volleyball influenced the transition to California as she brought her talents and skills to Irvine Valley College. 

 

"While at IVC, we had an undefeated season my freshman year and won state in both indoor and beach," Matt said. "I was surrounded by incredible coaches such as Tom Pestolesi and Butch May and ended up getting recruited by Long Beach State." 

 

While at CSULB, they were consistently a nationally top-ranked school and made it to the NCAA tournament her first year.

 

After two successful seasons at CSULB Matt ended up back at IVC, but this time in a coaching role.

 

Matt coached at IVC, Concordia, and local high schools all while balancing going back to school to get her masters in clinical mental health counseling.

 

"I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the psychology behind athletics, so I've been working as a therapist, coaching, and providing mental skills coaching for athletes for the past several years," Matt said. "I became a coach because of my love for beach volleyball and it's been a constant source of joy and learning for me and I hope to teach others how incredible this sport and its community of people can be.

 

"The second reason I became a coach is because of the profound difference my coaches made in my life. I've been blessed with incredible coaches from day one and I'm honored for the opportunity to pass down the wisdom I've learned not just about volleyball but about life."

 

As a coach, Matt wants to help athletes grow on a holistic level.

 

"I aim to give athletes the tools and support they need to succeed while empowering them to grow in their sport, academics, relationships, and personal character," Matt said. "I value transparency, integrity, and joy and always strive to bring this to the table as a coach."

 

Matt will take the leadership role of WBVB at Westcliff University which has been one of the most successful programs in the whole athletic department.

 

"Aside from the impressive WBVB records and accolades, what grabbed my attention about Westcliff was the family feel I got from the moment I began learning more about the school and the people that make the athletics department what it is," Matt said. "I'm lucky to have been handed over such an impressive group of young women and my plan is to help them continue this success. 

 

"They have every tool necessary already, so I plan to be the strong leader they need to utilize these tools and chase even more championships."

 

Matt looks to recruit and add student-athletes who will be selfless teammates, bring grit and relentlessness to practice, and have a growth mindset.

 

She views athletics and academics as equally important as they go hand in hand for student-athletes during their college career. 

"I believe people who are truly successful find ways to do so in every facet of their life and athletics/academics are no exception," Matt said. "Volleyball is such a short part of our lives while we are competing at a high level, but our education, our character, and our relationships follow us throughout life."

 

Matt and her team will hit the ground running when their season starts as they try to follow up a very successful campaign during the 2022-23 season.

 

Westcliff finished with a new overall program record of 20-6 and a conference record of 6-0.

 

"I'm excited to work with an impressive program and combine my expertise in both coaching and psychology," Matt said.