Olympic Gold Medalist Kim Hill to Join LBSU Women’s Volleyball as Volunteer Assistant Coach
1/24/2022 11:05:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Hill brings a wealth of experience to Long Beach State
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Head Women's Volleyball Coach Tyler Hildebrand completed his staff with the addition of Kim Hill as the squad's volunteer assistant coach.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have Kim be a part of our Long Beach family," said Hildebrand. "She has been one of the best outside hitters in the world for the past two decades, a two-time Olympian, and a gold medalist.
"She dreamed of big things as a college athlete at Pepperdine and made them happen. She knows what it takes to be a great student, a great college volleyball player, and a great professional and Olympic player.
"What I am most excited about, however, is for our girls to learn from Kim as a person, a leader, and a mentor. She has already developed a broad skill set of how to be a part of, and nurture, a great team culture. We know our team will learn a lot from Kim. Our staff looks forward to learning a lot from her as well, as we try to do something special together. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but we certainly feel lucky and humbled to have Kim join our program."
Hill comes to the Beach fresh off winning the gold with Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She has an impressive resume which boasts taking gold at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round in 2021, winning silver at the 2019 FIVB World Cup and 2019 NORCECA Continental Championship, as well as winning the 2018 FIVB World Championship. She also earned gold at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round in 2018 after having helped Team USA take the Bronze Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.
She won a gold medal at the 2014 World Championship with the USA Women's National Team that defeated China, 3-1. Hill was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Second Best Outside Spiker. She went on to win the 2016 World Grand Prix Best Outside Hitter individual award as well as the silver medal.
As part of the VakiBank Istanbul, Hill helped the team win the 2016-17 CEV Champions League gold medal as the squad defeated the Italian Imoco Volley Conegliano, 3-as she was awarded Best Outside Spiker. She went on to play in the Italian League All-Star Game in 2017.
A member of the USA Women's Volleyball National Team from 2013-21, Hill has also had an exceptional professional career playing overseas in Poland, Italy, and Turkey since 2013.
"I am so excited for this opportunity," Hill said. "To be a part of the Beach family and to work with such an incredible staff. I am hoping all of my experiences playing professionally over the years will add value to this team. I am expecting to learn a lot both from the coaches and the players."
In addition to all of her professional and Olympic experience, Hill was also an AVCA All-American at Pepperdine. She was the first college volleyball player to earn First Team All-American honors in both indoor and beach as she earned the accolades in 2011 with the indoor squad, and in 2012 and 2013 with the beach team.
The 2011 West Coast Player of the Year, Hill excelled both on the court and off as she was named the WCC's Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was also a member of the inaugural AVCA Beach Volleyball National Champions 2012.
Long Beach State fans and media are encouraged to come out to the Pyramid Palm Plaza on Friday, January 28 at 4 p.m., for a Meet & Greet with Coach Hildebrand and his staff. The Meet & Greet will be the pre-game event to the LBSU Men's Volleyball match against Ohio State at 6 p.m. Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 26 by clicking HERE.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have Kim be a part of our Long Beach family," said Hildebrand. "She has been one of the best outside hitters in the world for the past two decades, a two-time Olympian, and a gold medalist.
"She dreamed of big things as a college athlete at Pepperdine and made them happen. She knows what it takes to be a great student, a great college volleyball player, and a great professional and Olympic player.
"What I am most excited about, however, is for our girls to learn from Kim as a person, a leader, and a mentor. She has already developed a broad skill set of how to be a part of, and nurture, a great team culture. We know our team will learn a lot from Kim. Our staff looks forward to learning a lot from her as well, as we try to do something special together. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but we certainly feel lucky and humbled to have Kim join our program."
Hill comes to the Beach fresh off winning the gold with Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She has an impressive resume which boasts taking gold at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round in 2021, winning silver at the 2019 FIVB World Cup and 2019 NORCECA Continental Championship, as well as winning the 2018 FIVB World Championship. She also earned gold at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round in 2018 after having helped Team USA take the Bronze Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.
She won a gold medal at the 2014 World Championship with the USA Women's National Team that defeated China, 3-1. Hill was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Second Best Outside Spiker. She went on to win the 2016 World Grand Prix Best Outside Hitter individual award as well as the silver medal.
As part of the VakiBank Istanbul, Hill helped the team win the 2016-17 CEV Champions League gold medal as the squad defeated the Italian Imoco Volley Conegliano, 3-as she was awarded Best Outside Spiker. She went on to play in the Italian League All-Star Game in 2017.
A member of the USA Women's Volleyball National Team from 2013-21, Hill has also had an exceptional professional career playing overseas in Poland, Italy, and Turkey since 2013.
"I am so excited for this opportunity," Hill said. "To be a part of the Beach family and to work with such an incredible staff. I am hoping all of my experiences playing professionally over the years will add value to this team. I am expecting to learn a lot both from the coaches and the players."
In addition to all of her professional and Olympic experience, Hill was also an AVCA All-American at Pepperdine. She was the first college volleyball player to earn First Team All-American honors in both indoor and beach as she earned the accolades in 2011 with the indoor squad, and in 2012 and 2013 with the beach team.
The 2011 West Coast Player of the Year, Hill excelled both on the court and off as she was named the WCC's Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was also a member of the inaugural AVCA Beach Volleyball National Champions 2012.
Long Beach State fans and media are encouraged to come out to the Pyramid Palm Plaza on Friday, January 28 at 4 p.m., for a Meet & Greet with Coach Hildebrand and his staff. The Meet & Greet will be the pre-game event to the LBSU Men's Volleyball match against Ohio State at 6 p.m. Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 26 by clicking HERE.
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