MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer University announced on Feb. 8 that it has hired Heather Schoch to be the Falcons’ next volleyball coach.
“Heather Schoch is, without a doubt, exactly what Pfeiffer University Volleyball needs in its next coach,” Jeff Childress, Pfeiffer vice president of athletics and external relations, said in a press release. “I am looking forward to watching our volleyball grow on and off the court. I am very happy for our volleyball team to have this opportunity under her leadership.”
Schoch replaces Melissa Ferris, who was 54-77 overall during her five seasons in Misenheimer, including 7-25 this year. The Falcons finished tied for seventh in the USA South Athletic Conference with a 5-13 conference record.
Schoch — the wife of Falcons men’s basketball coach Pete Schoch — has 75 high school wins during the past five years, coaching eight all-conference players and three all-state selections.
She coached the last two years at Cox Mill High School in Concord, where her team won the 2022 Greater Metro 4A Conference title with an 18-9 record and made a run in the NCHSAA 4A playoffs. Senior Jadyn Webb was awarded Greater Metro 4A Player of the Year honors for her performance with the Chargers during the 2022 season.
“I will miss my athletes, students, and colleagues! I will always be part of the Charger family!” Schoch posted on social media following the announcement of her new position.
In 2021, Schoch coached the Chargers junior varsity team that went undefeated and won the South Piedmont 3A title. Additionally, she was assistant coach on the varsity team that made it to the NCHSAA 3A state finals with an 18-1 record.
In the years before that, Schoch had success coaching at Mallard Creek High School and at the club level where she oversaw the Lake Norman Volleyball Club in their 16U national program. In 2020, the LNVC advanced to the finals of the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic in Washington, D.C.
Returning to Misenheimer after serving as an assistant coach at Pfeiffer during the 2018 season, Schoch will look to get the Falcons back on track. The Falcons went 19-13 in 2021, the program’s first winning season since 2009. The 2023 season will begin on Sept. 16 with a road match at Southern Virginia.