OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University Director of Volleyball,
Melissa Blessington, is pleased to announce the hiring of
Kaitlyn Haller as the new head beach volleyball coach and assistant coach with the indoor program. Haller is no stranger to OU, she was a key member of the Braves' indoor and beach programs.
"I am very excited to add Coach Haller to our staff," said Blessington. "She has been a part of a lot of wins here at OU. As an indoor player, she helped the team to three straight conference championships and three trips to nationals, and on the beach side her pairs team won the conference championship. She understands and respects the traditions here at Ottawa. She was fortunate to play beach under Makena Wilson in 2022 and I think that experience, and her passion and love for the game will really help her get our beach program back on track. Having her coach indoor will also be invaluable. Her ability to play multiple positions will allow her to be able to coach so many of our athletes. I love when staff comes back and wants to be a part of Ottawa Volleyball. It shows just how special this program is!"
Since November of 2022, Haller was a head coach with MAVS KC Volleyball. Prior to that, she was a coaching assistant with the Youth Volleyball Association from January 2018 to May 2020.
"I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Brave Nation once again," said Haller. "To be a part of this volleyball program here is a blessing and I can't wait to put my all into this program. A big thank you to
Melissa Blessington and the staff at OU for this opportunity! Let's go OU!"
Haller was a three year letterman on the volleyball court and earned two letters in beach volleyball for the Braves. She was a two-time All-KCAC performer at setter and earned Honorable Mention NAIA All-American honors in 2022. As a senior, Haller was named KCAC Setter of the Year and was a AVCA NAIA West-Central Region Honorable Mention selection. She was named KCAC Setter of the Week five times, tallied four triple doubles, and had 25 double-doubles in 2022. Haller is the first OU women's volleyball player to have more than one triple-double in a season. She finished the season with 653 assists, 26 service aces, 451 digs, 47 blocks, 251 kills, and had a .233 attacking percentage.
On the sand, Haller was named Tri-State Conference Pair of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference as a senior. She finished her senior season with an overall record of 17-8. In 2022, Haller helped lead the Braves to a fourth place finish at the AVCA Small College Beach Championship.
Haller graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in education studies with an emphasis in leadership in 2022. She was on the Dean's List in the Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2022.