Women's Volleyball | 2/16/2026 10:30:00 AM

COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. — Don Hepker will return for his third stint as Walla Walla Women's Volleyball coach for the 2026 season.

Hepker has also joined the WWU Men's Volleyball coaching staff and was the lead coach over the weekend when the Wolves participated in its first NAIA games in program history when head coach Greg Rogers was unable to attend.

The returning head coach has seen the Wolves program through two major transitions in the past. Hepker was the head coach from 2002-2011 and coached WWU through its transition into the NAIA starting in 2009. The Walla Walla University graduate returned to the program and was the coach and sports information director from 2014-16 and oversaw the program as it started in the Cascade Collegiate Conference in 2015.

"This is like coming home. I have such great memories working and coaching here," Hepker said. "My parents both worked for WWC, then I had the opportunity to work here and now I have the chance to come back 'home'. I'm also excited to work with other departments. There's a sense of unity at WWU that you don't get everywhere."
During his first run, Hepker led the Wolves to a record of 10-13 in 2009, the first year in the NAIA, it is still the most wins in a single season for the program since joining this level of collegiate competition.

Hepker has been coaching volleyball at several levels since 1985. He has coached volleyball camps around the country and spent nine years working at summer camps in Romania. The three-time WWU coach left the collegiate coaching world after the 2016 season and worked for Alaska Air Group before the itch brought him back to work as an assistant coach for Hermiston High School.

The long time head coach has already begun his tenure on the coaching staff of the men's volleyball team and has begun work on preparations for the women's 2026 season.

"What's not to be excited about?" Hepker said. "I've had the chance to meet most of our returning players and they're not only incredible people but also very gifted players."

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