NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Norwich University Director of Athletics,
Ed Hockenbury, announced on Friday the hiring of
Karin Parkhurst '96 as the new head women's volleyball coach.
Parkhurst becomes just the third head coach in program history, taking the helm from
Ashlynn Nuckols, who stepped down this summer after 12 seasons on the sideline to pursue another career opportunity at the University of New England.
Parkhurst comes to Northfield after spending seven years at the Mexico Academy and Central Schools in Mexico, N.Y. During her time there, she served as the junior varsity head volleyball coach for six seasons before taking over as the varsity program coach in 2023. Additionally, she also coached the modified eighth-grade volleyball team for a season and worked as a varsity assistant coach for softball from 2018 to 2022.
Before that, she had worked at the Louise S. McGehee School and the Metairie Park Country Day School. She served as the U18 and U14 head travel volleyball coach for the New Orleans Hurricanes USA Volleyball Club from 1999 to 2002.
"I am humbled to be able to come back to Norwich as the head volleyball coach," Parkhurst said. "I graduated from Norwich in 1996 with my bachelor's in physical education. I had the pleasure of being part of the women's soccer team my freshman year, the women's rugby team each semester after, and being one of the student athletic trainers while I was a student. To now come back and coach at Norwich is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.  I look forward to helping shape the next generation of Norwich women both athletically and academically, allowing them to thrive while on campus and beyond."
Parkhurst inherits a volleyball program looking to ascend a highly competitive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) landscape. The Cadets' 2023 campaign was highlighted by a 3-2 victory over Emmanuel College, who were previously undefeated in conference action.
The Cadets have qualified for the GNAC postseason 10 times since the program's inception in 2006, last earning a berth in 2022. The Cadets finished that campaign 15-9 overall and 8-5 in league play.
"We are very excited to welcome
Karin Parkhurst back to Norwich as our women's volleyball head coach," Hockenbury said. "It's always great to add an alum to our coaching staff, and Karin's love for Norwich, and desire to give something back to today's students were clear to us in the interview process. As a former student-athlete as well, Karin brings not only strong coaching credentials, but also the experience at Norwich that allows her to relate to the joys and challenges her athletes will go through. Karin will be an outstanding leader and role model for the young women on our volleyball team, and I look forward to supporting her as she helps our program grow."
Parkhurst was a standout goalkeeper on the women's soccer team her first year at Norwich, sitting eighth all-time in single-season save percentage after logging a .869 mark on eight goals allowed and 53 saves in 1992. She then joined the women's rugby program for the remainder of her career in the maroon and gold.
On the hardwood, Norwich returns
Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.), who posted an impressive freshman campaign after finishing third on the team in kills (126) and digs (199).
Parkhurst and the Cadets will begin the season at the annual Vermont Volleyball Classic, taking on Vermont State University Johnson in Johnston, Vt., on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1:00 p.m.
