After seven seasons at Lake Forest College, Head Volleyball Coach Heather Noll is resigning to pursue other opportunities closer to family.
Noll came to the College in 2012 and has led the Foresters to a 37-30 record in Midwest Conference play. Lake Forest has finished at or above .500 in league play in five of her seven seasons and qualified for the four-team MWC Tournament twice. Eight school records have been broken or tied during her tenure. At least one Forester has earned All-MWC honors in each of Noll's seven seasons and her players have combined for 30 Academic All-MWC awards with the 2018 honorees yet to be announced.
"I am sad to announce my departure from the College, while at the same time excited for this new opportunity and to move closer to family," explained Noll. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Jackie Slaats for taking a chance and hiring me seven years ago. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many great colleagues, students, and alums and understand fully what 'Forester Family' means."
In addition to her contributions to the volleyball program, Noll has impacted the entire Forester Athletic Department in several ways, most notably as the advisor for the Lake Forest College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Athletic Council, and Forester Fanatics. She was voted the College's Student Organization Advisor of the Year in 2013 and 2016. Noll has also been active throughout campus by serving on various committees and working on projects with representatives from other departments. In addition, she has been a leader within the Athletic Department Staff and added Assistant Director of Athletics to her official position at the College in November of 2017.
"Heather has been an extremely valuable member of our department," began Slaats. "While it is unfortunate for us that she is leaving, I know it will be a good move for her personally and wish her nothing but the best," began Slaats. "She has been a positive influence on so many Foresters as a coach, advisor, mentor, friend, and colleague and Lake Forest College is a better place because of her contributions. She will be missed."
A native of eastern Iowa, Noll will now return to the area where much of her family also resides.
A search for her replacement will begin immediately.