HSU Volleyball Coach Woodstra announces retirement

ARCATA, Calif. — Humboldt State head volleyball coach Sue Woodstra, who was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006, announced her retirement Wednesday.

"It's been a pretty long run, but I'm looking forward to doing something different," said Woodstra. "I love Humboldt. This is an incredible area and I've been able to work with some really good people. I wish we could have had more success on the court, but I'm proud of the people who came through the program and wish everyone the best."

Woodstra began her tenure as the HSU volleyball program's 10th head coach in 2002. She took a year and a half hiatus from 2007 to the beginning of the 2008 season to serve as assistant coach for the United States Women's National Indoor Volleyball team at the Beijing Olympics, helping guide Team USA to a silver medal. The second-place finish matched the team's best placing at the Olympics since 1984, when as a player, Woodstra captained Team USA to another silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Under Woodstra's leadership, eight Lumberjacks have been recognized as All-California Collegiate Athletic Association athletes, including Oceana Matsubu who received second team honors in 2011 and went on to play professionally in Italy and Switzerland before injuring her knee.

"I appreciate the many years of service and expertise that Coach Woodstra gave to Humboldt State athletics," said HSU Director of Athletics Dan Collen. "I enjoyed working with her for 10 years and wish her the best in whatever she decides to do in her retirement years."

Humboldt State will begin a national search for a new head coach this week, hoping to fill the position as soon as possible.  Chad Nelson will stay on as the assistant coach to help with the transition.