The women’s volleyball team welcomed Assistant Coach Maddie Kanclerz to the staff this August. Kanclerz, a Hillsdale County native, graduated from Hillsdale College in 2021 and played for the volleyball team for five seasons.

Kanclerz played as an outside hitter under her maiden name, Clark, and helped take her team to the Elite Eight in the Midwest Regional Championships in 2021. After graduating in December 2021, Kanclerz worked as Hillsdale College’s Director of Student Activities until this summer.  

Now, Kanclerz said she is looking forward to transitioning into a relational role that aligns closer with her interests. 

“I had been looking for ways to push and enlighten my role in student activities,” Kanclerz said. “I loved the relational part but didn’t exactly want to continue party planning.” 

Associate Dean of Women Stephanie Gravel suggested Kanclerz look into coaching the sport she loved. 

“I was talking with Dean Gravel about what I wanted to do with my life and she suggested looking into coaching volleyball because I already had the connections,” Kanclerz said. “I adored the sport and would have a lot of one-on-one time with the girls, so I thought why not.”

Kanclerz believes it has been a good transition into her new role.

“I am entering with my eyes wide open and am trying to absorb everything through the program,” Kanclerz said. “I have the familiarity from college of the program and its principles, but now I get to help learn how to build the girls.”

Senior Amanda Hilliker is grateful for the experience that Kanclerz brings. 

“Being someone who played for the program so recently, Maddie comes in with that unique Charger volleyball experience,” Hilliker said. “I absolutely love her as a new addition to the coaching staff, and am so thankful to have her as one of my coaches for my last season.”

Kanclerz hopes to build trust in her relationships with the girls so she can push them in the program. 

“I want to be a support for the girls and whatever their needs are,” Kanclerz said. “Being a student and an athlete is not easy, but I want to learn how to push them to their potential.”

Junior Bethany Johnson said Kanclerz leads well and does push them as players.

“She is a leader who is unapologetically demanding and relentlessly positive,” Johnson said. “She is fabulous as a coach and as a person.”