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Bernier Named Bullets Volleyball Coach
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The New Year will bring
another official change in the Gettysburg College athletic
department as Leah Bernier will take over as the
head coach of the Bullets’ volleyball program according to
Director of Athletics David Wright.
Bernier spent the 2010 as interim head coach after former mentor
Alexa Keckler assumed the head job at Muhlenberg College. She also
spent two years as an assistant under Keckler.
“Leah performed the role of interim head coach this fall and
demonstrated a high level of expertise, both on and off the
court,” stated Wright. “Leah is a Gettysburg native who
knows the institution and the community. She is passionate about
developing the young women in our volleyball program, both
academically and athletically. I am excited to have Leah as a
full-time member of our coaching staff.”
“I am very excited about solidifying the head coaching job
at Gettysburg,” said Bernier. “I feel that this is a
great opportunity to do something that I’ve always loved to
do.”
As the interim head coach, Bernier led the Bullets to a 16-14
overall record and a 7-3 mark in the Centennial Conference. Only a
part-time employee, she spent most mornings instructing classes at
Gettysburg Health and Fitness before arriving on campus in the
afternoon to hold practices and coach matches.
Starting January 1, Bernier will become a full-time staff member
in the Bullets athletic department. In addition to her duties with
the volleyball team, she will also serve as coordinator of the
College’s Wellness Program for its staff and employees.
“I wanted to stay in this position mostly because of my
team,” noted Bernier. “I have the greatest team on
Earth. These girls are some of the best people I have ever worked
with and they made my first season as head coach very easy.
“I’ve really never worked with a team that was so
connected with each other and willing to work for each other as
well as their coaches. They convinced me pretty early in the season
that I wanted to stay and try my best to make their four years here
as positive and productive as possible.”
Success has followed Bernier at every level of competitive
volleyball. Formerly Leah Voss, she was the Gettysburg Times Player
of the Year at Gettysburg High School before heading to college
where she was an all-conference performer at both the Community
College of Baltimore County Catonsville and the University of
Maine. In 2001, she was the America East Conference Player of the
Year.
Bernier’s coaching resume includes multiple club teams and
stints at both CCBC Catonsville and Maine. At Gettysburg, she has
helped the Bullets reach the conference playoffs three times,
including back-to-back appearances in the championship match in
2008 and 2009.
Gettysburg leads all schools in the Centennial Conference with 11
titles on the volleyball court, but the Bullets trophy display has
gone without a new addition since 2005. Bernier intends to rectify
that situation in the near future.
“In the next few years, my goal is to keep this program in
the top of the conference and bring the Centennial Conference
championship back to Gettysburg.”
