Goucher Chooses Wilkinson as Next Volleyball Coach

TOWSON, Md. — A coach with experience at the collegiate level but who more recently was employed at St. Paul's School for Girls in Brooklandville, Md., is Goucher College's choice to take command of its Division III women's volleyball program.

Kelli Wilkinson, who will be Goucher's eighth head volleyball coach since the school joined the NCAA starting in 1987-88, got her start in the coaching profession in 1994 when she was hired to run the women's program at Notre Dame (Md.). She guided four of her teams there to Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference titles and twice was recognized as AWCC Coach of the Year.

During her final two seasons at Notre Dame, Wilkinson also served as the head men's volleyball coach at Stevenson.

It was in September 2002 that Wilkinson became employed at St. Paul's School for Girls, serving in several capacities. In addition to being the head varsity volleyball coach, she was an assistant athletic director for the middle school, head of the physical education department and, for two seasons, head varsity softball coach.

Her volleyball teams at St. Paul's went 186-44 and were Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland champions in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2013. She was The Baltimore Sun's Baltimore City/County Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2003.

Since August 2012, Wilkinson has also been the owner/director of the Baltimore Elite Volleyball Club.

"We are enthusiastic over attracting such an experienced and capable coach as Kelli Wilkinson," commented Geoffrey Miller, Goucher's athletics director. "She has recruited before, experienced success at the collegiate, high school and club levels. Kelli is the entire package and I could not be more pleased for our current players and for our volleyball alumni. I am expecting great things from our volleyball program in the years to come with Kelli at the helm."

Wilkinson was a Division I volleyball player and earned all-conference honors at both Winthrop and Towson, graduating from the latter with a bachelor's degree in business administration. She also holds a Masters of Education with a specialization in athletic program leadership and administration.

"I want to thank Geoff Miller, (Senior Woman Administrator) Sally Baum and the Goucher athletic staff for their support as we begin the next chapter in Goucher volleyball," said Wilkinson after accepting the position. "I am so excited to become part of the Goucher family and look forward to building a competitive and respected program in the years to come."

The Gophers open their 2014 season on August 29 against Hood at the Eastern Mennonite Invitational.