JOURNAL SPORTS

LSU Shreveport has announced the hiring of Callie Houlihan as the first head coach of the women’s volleyball program, marking the Pilots’ launch of the sport.

“I am honored and grateful to have the opportunity to establish LSUS’s first women’s volleyball program,” Houlihan said. “I am excited to build a competitive program that embodies excellence both on and off the court. I’m thankful for the strong support from the athletic department and university administration as we work to provide the university and community with a program they can be proud of.”

Houlihan joins LSUS after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at McPherson College (Kan.), where the program experienced unprecedented success.

The Bulldogs capped the 2025 season with a 34-3 record, a final No. 8 national ranking and an appearance in the NAIA quarterfinals, falling to the nation’s top-ranked team.

During the 2024 season, Houlihan helped guide McPherson to a 30-7 record, a conference championship and a No. 12 national ranking to conclude the year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Callie as LSUS’s first women’s volleyball head coach,” LSUS athletic director Lucas Morgan said. “This hire represents more than the beginning of a new program; it reflects the continued growth and advancement of our athletic department.”

A native of Tustin, Calif., Houlihan is a 2023 graduate of the University of Louisville. She will begin her duties immediately as she builds the LSU Shreveport women’s volleyball program in preparation for its inaugural season.