Coaches Bio - Hawley Woods Gray - Director/Head Coach

Hawley Woods

Hawley is a graduate of Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, CA. where she played varsity volleyball and softball earning multiple Mesa League All-Team honors in both sports.

She continued her volleyball career at United States International University, in San Diego, CA. After her junior year, USIU dropped the athletic program and she transferred to Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Hawley was on full scholarship at both Division I schools and finished her volleyball collegiate career as Sunbelt Conference Champions, earning a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

After earning a B.A. in International Business from USIU in 1992, Hawley moved to Little Rock, AR to start a career in coaching at the college level. She was the graduate assistant and later the assistant coach at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. In her final year at UALR she was instrumental in recruiting the team that later won the Sunbelt Conference in 1995.

While at UALR Hawley began the Little Rock Junior Volleyball Club, (Little Rock Juniors). She helped 11 girls in a three year period receive athletic/academic scholarships to many different schools ranging from Mills College to Duke University. The Little Rock Juniors is still a successful club today and under the direction of Hawley’s mentor Coach Van Compton.

Hawley left UALR to move on to Valparaiso University in Indiana where she was named the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, Senior Women’s Administrator and Compliance Coordinator. Although her time at Valparaiso only lasted one season, she lead the Lady Crusaders to a Mid-Continent Conference Championship with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Hawley coached at the University of San Diego High School in 1996 as the freshman coach. She coached at Mt Carmel High School for four seasons as the JV Coach 2004 – 2007 and assisted with the Varsity team each year. In addition to her high school experience she coached at San Diego Volleyball Club during the 2003 – 2005 seasons. During her time at SDVBC she worked with the 15 -1 and 15-2 teams.

Last year along with the support of several coaches and The Bridge to the Future Foundation, Hawley created the Bridge Volleyball Club. She is committed to bringing a high level of coaching and training to the south bay communities of San Diego.

Her goals include building a nationally recognized program. She looks forward to supporting many girls and boys in their pursuit to become better volleyball players and fostering a program that will improve the high school volleyball programs in the Mesa League and the surrounding communities of the south bay. In addition to improving the competitiveness of the area, Hawley is committed to helping all kids that have the ability to play in college find a school that is an educational fit for the student/athlete. Hawley’s experience in networking, sales and marketing has given her the ability to assemble a strong coaching staff and support system for the Bridge Volleyball Club.

Personally, Hawley is married to Bobby. They live downtown with their cat Abu. They are Charger fans and enjoy spending time with friends and family. Hawley plays beach volleyball and often competes at the USA Open Tournament with her indoor women’s team.