| Heather Kahl |
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Heather Kahl may be in her first season as the head coach of the Demon Deacons, but she is no stranger to the Wake Forest volleyball program. An assistant coach for the previous five seasons, Kahl was promoted in July of 2005. Bringing a wealth of experience to the floor both as a player and a coach, Kahl's familiarity with the team will help the Wake Forest volleyball team build on tradition and continue to rise in both the ACC and on a national level.
"Wake has been home to me for the last five years and I am honored to be able to continue to be associated with a university so rich in academic and athletic tradition," said Kahl upon her hiring. "The future for Wake Forest volleyball is an exciting one and we will continue to strive for excellence on the court and in the classroom."
As an assistant, Kahl served as the Demon Deacons recruiting coordinator and is largely responsible for the top-notch 2005 incoming class. In addition to coordinating all recruiting visits, she helped with day-to-day operations and was in charge of the guidance and training of the setters. Kahl also carried the responsibility of developing the team's defensive system and game strategies.
Kahl tutored former setter Ashlee Phillips to becoming the school's all-time assist leader in 2003. Also under her guidance, senior Erin Borhart finished the 2004 season ranked ninth in the ACC for assists per game and third on the Wake Forest list for career assists.
Kahl has also coached two honorable mention All-Americans, two All-Region selections, five All-ACC players, one ACC Player of the Year, two AVCA All-District team members and one ACC Rookie of the Year.
Prior to her arrival at Wake Forest, Kahl began her coaching career as an assistant at Clemson. An assistant for five seasons, Kahl helped lead the Tigers to a 1997 ACC Tournament championship, a 1999 ACC regular season championship and three NCAA tournament appearances. She also coached one AVCA All-American in her tenure at Clemson.
Before beginning her coaching career, Kahl was a standout player for the Tigers, leading them to their first two NCAA tournament appearances and one ACC Tournament final as the team's starting setter from 1991 to 1994. In 1994 she had an outstanding season and was named second-team All-ACC and third team AVCA South Region. Kahl made the ACC-All Tournament team and was named Clemson's team MVP.
Selected to the ACC 50th Anniversary Volleyball Team on August 1, 2002, Kahl was honored as one of the top-50 players in the history of ACC
volleyball.
Kahl earned her undergraduate degree in special education from Clemson in May of 1996 and completed her master's degree of education in guidance and counseling services from Clemson in December of 2000.
She is engaged to former Wake Forest baseball standout Michael Holmes. The two will marry on New Years Eve, 2005.
