Betsy Sedlak has played an immense role in the growth of the Portland Volleyball program since joining the Portland staff as an assistant coach in May of 2016. Her main responsibility in addition to coaching and teaching volleyball is serving as the program’s Recruiting Coordinator. In her three seasons on The Bluff, Sedlak helped coach the team to several impressive feats, including:
• 2016 3rd Place Finish in the WCC
• Entered postseason play for first-time, reaching NIVC Quarterfinals
• First-ever program wins over a Top 10 opponent (#7 USD, 11/10/16), and over a Top 15 opponent (#11 BYU, 10/13/16)
• Received AVCA Coaches Poll votes for first time during week four of 2018 season
• Winningest season since joining the WCC (20 wins 2018)
• Opened 2018 season with a 12-match winning streak
• Most conference wins in WCC-era (10, 2016)
• One First-Team All-WCC Selection (Hannah Troutman 16’)
• One All-Freshman Team Selection (Cali Thompson, 16’)
• Two Honorable-Mention WCC Selection (Katie Barker, 18’. Katie Sullivan, 16’)
“I've known Betsy since our time together on the volleyball staff at Saint Mary's in 2012," said previous Portland head coach Brent Crouch. “Since day one, all of us who have worked with her have been impressed with her ability to connect with players, her intelligence, work ethic, and organization; and most of all, her love for teaching and mentoring student athletes. She is just a rock-solid person and we are fortunate to have her on our staff in Portland.”
Sedlak came to The Bluff by way of the Bay Area, where she served as the Director of Operations for the Saint Mary's volleyball program in 2012. While with the Gaels, she helped with film analysis, scouting reports, game and match preparation. She also provided color commentary for their home video broadcasts, which she had done for the four years.
In addition to her work with Saint Mary's, Sedlak has been a head coach on the youth level for NorCal volleyball Club since 2012. She worked with teams at the 14's, 16's, and 17's level.
As a student-athlete, Sedlak played at the University of Oregon before transferring to UC Davis, where she competed from 2009-11. She finished her career with the highest hitting percentage and second in career blocks in program history. After graduation, she played professionally for a short stint in Denmark.
In 2018, she was inducted into the UC Davis athletic hall of fame. She remains one of only four players in program history to repeat first-team All-Big West honors, and helped the Aggies to their only 20-win season of the Division I era.
“I am incredibly thankful and excited for this opportunity to coach volleyball at the University of Portland," said Sedlak. “The coaching staff's philosophy on consistent improvement has created an amazing environment. I'm looking forward to working with Brent & Jeff, the student-athletes, and the entire Portland athletics staff to help the program continue to reach new heights in the coming years.”