Janelle Gabrielsen named Volleyball head coach

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill announced Tuesday afternoon the hiring of Janelle Gabrielsen as the new Volleyball head coach.

"I am really excited to become the next volleyball head coach at CUW," Gabrielsen said. "I have grown up at this university since I was little watching my dad be a successful football coach. This university is amazing and every player on the current roster and those joining our team in the future has an awesome opportunity to be a part of something special."

Gabrielsen served as the graduate assistant coach during the 2012 season helping the Falcons improve in numerous statistical categories. She coached alongside Joe Cawley, the program's winningest coach, who was the program's leader for 13 seasons.

"I am excited to promote Janelle to full-time volleyball head coach," Barnhill said. "This move to a full-time head coach is yet another example of the senior administrative team's support of intercollegiate athletics. Janelle is a household name in the Wisconsin volleyball world and we are looking forward to capitalizing on her knowledge, experience and network. She is the right fit at the right time and we have very high expectations for the program."

During her time as an assistant last season the Falcons total kills, total assists, total digs and total blocks all improved. "I am thrilled to help improve this program and raise the level of success Joe helped build," Gabrielsen added.

Gabrielsen's athletic bloodlines run deep as her father, Jeff, was the football head coach at CUW for 18 seasons winning a program-best 120 games and her older sisters played volleyball collegiately, Jessica at CUW and Jamie at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

She came to CUW after an illustrious four-year playing career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The All-Big Ten setter brings an enormous amount of knowledge and talent to the Falcons coaching staff after finishing as one of the best setters in UW history.

During her time with the Badgers she was named to the All-Big Ten Conference Academic Team, earned the BTC Sportsmanship Award and numerous all-tournament team accolades. Gabrielsen finished her career sixth on the all-time UW list with 3,447 assists, seventh in digs per set (7.68) and total digs (1,131). She is also one of four Badgers to ever record a triple-double after finishing with 13 kills, 10 digs and 15 assists against the University of Michigan (Nov. 8, 2008).

The Menomonee Falls (Wis.) High School graduate was the Gatorade Player of the Year for Wisconsin in 2007 and was one of the top nationally ranked volleyball players. The 6-foot-1 student-athlete was a WIAA Scholar Athlete, and was the Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year twice, among her various accolades. She was also the GMC Player of the Year for basketball and broke the school record for total points.

Gabrielsen earned a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies from UW. While at CUW, she will work towards her master's degree in professional and school counseling. The Menomonee Falls, Wis., native is the daughter of Jeff and Jill. She has three older sisters, Jessica, Jolene and Jamie.