THUNDER BAY — Lakehead University has tapped the next leader of its women's vollyeball team.
The Thunderwolves on Tuesday named Hayden Nichol as the next head coach of the program, succeeding Charlotte Sider after she stepped down following the end of last season.
In a statement released by the university, Nichol said he is grateful to take on the role.
"Being a head coach in the OUA was my ultimate goal when I first started coaching and I am thrilled to get the chance to do so at an institution that is so strong from an academic and athletic perspective," he said in the statement.
"I am hungry to get started on working towards my goal of making this program a playoff contender every single season. The current squad is full of talent; I cannot wait to get to Thunder Bay and get started working with a group I have heard so many positive things about.”
Nichol, who was most recently the head coach of the Keyano College women's volleyball team in Alberta, has seven years of coaching experience, including stints with the OUA's Guelph Gryphons, the Schwarz-BeiB-Erfurt professional team in Germany, and as head coach of both the men's and women's squads at Holland College.
“He brings enthusiasm and experience in both college and the OUA," Lakehead athletic director Tom Warden said. "His history of success and development as a coach will be an asset to our volleyball program, our student athletes and the community of Thunder Bay.”
The Thunderwolves went 4-16 last season, finishing 12th in the 14-team conference.
Lakehead opens OUA regular season play on Nov. 10, with a road date against Guelph.
