USD Magazine Fall 2009

Head coach Jennifer Petrie has led the women’s volleyball team to a number of memorable seasons. One of her goals is to make sure players leave USD as better people.

TORERO ATHLETICS

GREAT EXPECTATIONS T h e k e y t o P e t r i e ’ s s u c c e s s l i e s b e y o n d t h e c o u r t [ v a l i d a t i o n ]

MATT KINCAID

ennifer Petrie has a coaching résumé brimming with suc- cess. Her USD volleyball tri- umphs are on prominent display in her office: Hanging on the walls and perched on most available surfaces are plaques, photos and other tokens of glory representing J by Ryan T. Blystone

as an assistant in different places that I was ready. But these were pretty big shoes for me to fill. I didn’t want to be the one to bring down the empire.” The Toreros put that fear to rest quickly, compiling a 23-6 record and reaching the second round of

coach, replacing Sue Snyder after the 1998 season. “I don’t know if anyone is really ready for the first year as a head coach,”Petrie says.“I was eager and excited. I felt I’d been exposed to enough different coaching styles and enough different backgrounds

West Coast Conference titles, coaching accolades and NCAA postseason appearances. While the display evokes many fond memories, it also serves as the answer to any questions Pet- rie may have had when she was elevated from assistant to head

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