As NCAA Volleyball Season Concludes, Illinois Coach Takes on New Role With USA National Team

Coach Krista Hendrickson has been a major part of shaping the skills of the Illinois Volleyball team. She was an outside hitter turned Illinois assistant coach. As the NCAA volleyball season came to an end, Hendrickson is now headed to a new journey.

Hendrickson has been tasked with nurturing fresh talents for the country. She will join the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program Training that trains the stars of the upcoming years.

Coach Krista Hendrickson moves toward a new role in Volleyball 

Illinois Volleyball recently announced Krista Hendrickson’s new achievement on their X while writing, “Coach Krista Hendrickson is headed to Anaheim, California (where the national team trains) to help develop the next generation at an upcoming USA Volleyball National Team Development Program training!” Hendrickson joined the Illinois volleyball staff as an assistant coach in January 2022.

Under Hendrickson’s watchful eyes, the Orange and Blue, Hendrickson saw the Fighting Illini go 15-15 overall and 10-10 against Big Ten opponents. Junior outside hitter Raina Terry was named a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten First Team and also received AVCA All-Region honors. She spearheaded the offensive game planning of the team while also training the six-rotation players. She also worked as the recruiting coordinator of the team. Even before joining Illinois, Hendrickson has had a rich legacy.

A career studded with accolades

Krista Hendrickson is a resident of Redlands California. She graduated from Washington in 2015 attaining a degree in sociology and was one of the staunchest volleyball players. She was a big help for the USA team in standing atop the podium at the Pan American Games. Hendrickson was also a part of the Rio Olympics as an alternate. She served as an assistant coach in 2019 for the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team Japan Tour as well. 

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Before entering the assistant role at Illinois University, she played the role of a volleyball program assistant at Washington. She here looked after the recruiting for the program. Adding to this, she also was a coach for the Seattle Juniors 16 Volleyball Club. She also attained multiple awards including the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year Award in 2013. She was the first one to secure this title for herself. 

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