SANTA CRUZ, Ca. – The University of California, Santa Cruz Head Women's Volleyball Coach
Gabrielle Houston and the Department of Athletics and Recreation announce that Gabrielle will not be returning as coach of the Banana Slugs in 2025, after a mutual agreement to part ways.
Houston joined UCSC in the Fall of 2018, and in her 2nd year, led the Banana Slugs to become the 2019 ACAA Conference Champions. After joining the newly formed Coast-To-Coast Conference in 2020, Houston was named the 2021 and 2022 C2C Women's Volleyball Coach of the Year. In her time, she has coached eight First Team All-Conference players, six Second Team All-Conference players, three Rookies of the Year, two Players of the Year, two All-Region and one All-American.
With Houston as the Head Coach, the Banana Slugs had an overall record of 90-74, with the team's best record coming in 2022 where they were 19-6 and ended the season with a berth to the NCAA Division III National Tournament, their first trip to the Tournament since 2015. In addition to serving as head coach, Houston served as Chair on the Region X Advisory Committee and was a member of the Women's Volleyball National Committee, while also serving on numerous departmental committees during her time at UCSC.
On her time at UC Santa Cruz Houston stated, "I have truly enjoyed my coaching career at UC Santa Cruz and my experience wouldn't have been the same without all the guidance and support of my colleagues. The highlight however is the amazing student-athletes that we have the opportunity to coach. It has been an honor to be part of the Banana Slug Family! Once a Slug - Always a Slug!"
A national search for the program's next head coach will begin immediately.
