HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Danielle Heffernan has been named head coach of the women's volleyball program at Houghton University, Director of Athletics Matthew Webb announced today.
 
Heffernan becomes the 13^th head coach in the history of the program. She takes the reins from Haley Unverdorben who stepped down after leading the team for the 2023 fall season.
 
Heffernan has coaching experience at the NCCAA, NAIA and NCAA Division III levels and has been part of programs (as player or coach) that have won 12 National Christian College Athletic Association national championships.
 
"We are thrilled to add Danielle Heffernan to our staff," said Webb. "Danielle has years of experience coaching at the collegiate level, most recently coming from a program that has won the NCCAA national championship the last six years in a row. She will bring not only a winning perspective, but also a passion for sports ministry and investing in our student athletes. We are looking forward to this new chapter for Houghton women's volleyball."
 
Heffernan comes to Houghton after serving as assistant coach at Bob Jones University under the direction of coaching legend and NCCAA Hall of Famer Vickie Denny from 2019-2023. As Denny's lead assistant, Heffernan was part of five-straight NCCAA national championship teams.
 
Prior to serving at BJU, Heffernan was head coach at Ohio Christian University for three seasons (2015-2017), tallying a record of 31-59. While at OCU, Heffernan helped transition the program into the NAIA in 2015 while also taking the team to the River States Conference postseason tournament for the first time in 2017.
 
She got her first experience coaching as an assistant under Denny at Clearwater Christian College from 2011-2014, winning three NCCAA championships during that span. She transitioned into coaching after a four-year playing career (2007-2010) at CCC where she was part of four additional national championship teams.
 
"I would like thank Dr. Lewis and Dr. Webb for giving me this opportunity to coach the women's volleyball program at Houghton University," said Heffernan. "I am humbled by God's goodness and faithfulness in my life in leading me to Houghton. I am excited to be a part of the future of Highlander volleyball."

A native of Yardley, Pa., Heffernan holds a bachelor's degree from Clearwater Christian and an MBA from Ohio Christian.