Hafner to Coach Girls’ Volleyball at Highland Hall

Heather Hafner, a former All-American at Cal State Northridge, has been hired to coach the Highland Hall girls’ volleyball team, the school announced Tuesday.

Hafner, 28, has been hired as a walk-on coach to replace Christine Perry, who resigned this summer. Highland Hall, a private school in Northridge with 75 students, fields five athletic teams, four of which advanced to the Southern Section playoffs in the past academic year. The volleyball team finished last in the Westside League.

“This is a real coup for a school our size,” Athletic Director Dave Desmond said. “It’s a real good step to bring volleyball up to the level of our other sports.”

CSUN reached the NCAA Division II title match in each of Hafner’s four seasons with the Matadors. She was an All-American in 1982, ’84 and ’85.

In 1983, she was injured much of the season but returned to the lineup to lead Northridge to a national championship and was named to the all-national tournament team.

She played professionally for the Dallas Belles in 1987 and still competes on the pro beach tour. She previously coached for a half season with the Southern California Volleyball Club in Calabasas.

“I’m excited about the job,” Hafner said. “I went to small schools growing up and I know it’s important for people to contribute.”