Seattle University head volleyball coach James Finley has announced that Katie Grajewski has joined the staff of the Redhawk volleyball program as an assistant coach, effective Jan. 11, 2016.
Originally from Kent, Wash., Grajewski comes to Seattle U from Middle Tennessee State, where she was an assistant coach during the 2015 season. Previous to that, she spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northern Kentucky, helping the Norse to a 19-11 record during the 2014 campaign and advancement to the semifinals of the Atlantic Sun Volleyball Tournament.
"We feel fortunate to find a young coach who has such passion, organization and dedication," Finley said. "Katie is a good hire for our program and the Seattle University community. She has demonstrated that she will have an immediate positive impact on our team staff and athletic department."
A three-year player at Idaho State, Grajewski saw her best season in 2011 when she was awarded Big Sky All-Academic honors. She went on to graduate from ISU, receiving her bachelor's degree in special education. Grajewski replaces KC Bennett, who left the program after the 2015 season to focus on her family.
“I am excited about being a part of Seattle University Athletics and the volleyball program. There is such a great community within the university that really puts a student’s all-around growth as a person first, which is extremely important to me,” said Grajewski. “I am really looking forward to learning from James and (associate head coach) Nick (Petrovic) and helping build on the success they have had. James and Nick are doing big things with the team culture and I am excited to see the growth of our athletes on and off the court.”
Seattle University finished the 2015 season with an 18-11 overall record, tied for the second-most victories in a single season in program history. The Redhawks finished in a tie for third place in the Western Athletic Conference regular season standings with a 9-5 league record and qualified for the WAC Volleyball Tournament for the third straight year.