Hall Of Famer Krista (Vansant) Hendrickson Returns To UW
June 09, 2025 | Volleyball
SEATTLE – One of the great student-athletes in any sport in the history of the University of Washington, Krista (Vansant) Hendrickson is returning to Montlake. A Husky Hall of Famer and one of just three women to have their jersey retired in Alaska Airlines Arena, Hendrickson joins Head Coach Leslie Gabriel's staff as an assistant coach. Hendrickson comes back to Washington after coaching the past three years at Illinois.
"I'm beyond excited to welcome Krista back to UW, along with her husband Duncan—who also proudly wore Husky purple and gold as a baseball player—and their son Liam," said Gabriel. "It was important to me to bring in a Husky alum who truly understands our program and can pass on what it means to be a Dawg. Krista was a legendary player during her time on Montlake and has developed into a respected and knowledgeable assistant coach during her time in the Big Ten. She brings experience, passion, and a deep connection to our tradition, and we're thrilled to have her and her family back in Seattle."
Hendrickson is set to begin a new chapter in her UW story, eleven years after she completed one of the most decorated playing careers in program history. The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2011, Hendrickson earned her first All-America honor as a sophomore in 2012, then in 2013 she led the Huskies to the Pac-12 title and the Final Four, earning AVCA National Player of the Year and the Honda Award. She repeated as the Honda Award winner in 2014 and won a second-straight Pac-12 Player of the Year award, while finishing as UW's career kills leader with 1,893.
"Coming back to Seattle truly is a full-circle moment for me and the best decision for my young family," said Hendrickson. "It brings us closer to home, to our support system, and to the city that shaped so much of who I am. As an alum of the Washington Volleyball program, stepping into an assistant coaching role is incredibly meaningful — it's a chance to give back to a program that had a lasting impact on my life."
Hendrickson will bring an intimate knowledge of and passion for the culture of Washington Volleyball, but beyond that she also has extensive coaching experience in the Big Ten, having coached the past seven years in the league. She served as an assistant coach as well as the recruiting coordinator for the Fighting Illini from 2022-24, and prior to that she coached four seasons at Indiana. Hendrickson was an AVCA Thirty Under 30 recipient in 2024, for rising leaders in the sport.
"I'm excited to help lead this next generation of Huskies and to contribute to the legacy of excellence that defines Washington Volleyball," said Hendrickson. "I know there will be challenges — whether it's helping young women grow through adversity, competing at the highest level in the Big Ten, or continuing to evolve the program in a new era — but those are exactly the kinds of challenges that drive me.
"I want to sincerely thank Leslie Gabriel, Kim Durand, and Erin O'Connell for their trust and belief in me. I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to return home and be part of this program's future."
Transitioning quickly from Washington to the U.S. National Team, Hendrickson helped Team USA win the 2015 Pan Am Cup where she was named MVP. She then won gold with the U.S. at the 2015 Pan American Games, and she was named an alternate for the 2016 Rio Olympic Team. She played professionally from the fall of 2015 through spring of 2016 with Volero Zurich in Switzerland, then was back in Seattle during the 2017 fall season as a program assistant before embarking on her full-time collegiate coaching career in Bloomington, Indiana.
Krista's #16 jersey was raised to the rafters in Hec Edmundson Pavilion in 2017, the second female athlete to have that honor, joining another volleyball legend, Courtney Thompson. Women's basketball legend Kelsey Plum became the third female athlete to join that select group this past season. Hendrickson then joined the Husky Hall of Fame in 2023. She was also inducted into the Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Krista married Duncan Hendrickson, a former UW Baseball letterwinner, and the couple welcomed their first son, Liam, in 2024.
"I'm beyond excited to welcome Krista back to UW, along with her husband Duncan—who also proudly wore Husky purple and gold as a baseball player—and their son Liam," said Gabriel. "It was important to me to bring in a Husky alum who truly understands our program and can pass on what it means to be a Dawg. Krista was a legendary player during her time on Montlake and has developed into a respected and knowledgeable assistant coach during her time in the Big Ten. She brings experience, passion, and a deep connection to our tradition, and we're thrilled to have her and her family back in Seattle."
Hendrickson is set to begin a new chapter in her UW story, eleven years after she completed one of the most decorated playing careers in program history. The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2011, Hendrickson earned her first All-America honor as a sophomore in 2012, then in 2013 she led the Huskies to the Pac-12 title and the Final Four, earning AVCA National Player of the Year and the Honda Award. She repeated as the Honda Award winner in 2014 and won a second-straight Pac-12 Player of the Year award, while finishing as UW's career kills leader with 1,893.
"Coming back to Seattle truly is a full-circle moment for me and the best decision for my young family," said Hendrickson. "It brings us closer to home, to our support system, and to the city that shaped so much of who I am. As an alum of the Washington Volleyball program, stepping into an assistant coaching role is incredibly meaningful — it's a chance to give back to a program that had a lasting impact on my life."
Hey, Husky Fans! ?? got some ?????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/N6MIZ8yO3A
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) June 9, 2025
Hendrickson will bring an intimate knowledge of and passion for the culture of Washington Volleyball, but beyond that she also has extensive coaching experience in the Big Ten, having coached the past seven years in the league. She served as an assistant coach as well as the recruiting coordinator for the Fighting Illini from 2022-24, and prior to that she coached four seasons at Indiana. Hendrickson was an AVCA Thirty Under 30 recipient in 2024, for rising leaders in the sport.
"I'm excited to help lead this next generation of Huskies and to contribute to the legacy of excellence that defines Washington Volleyball," said Hendrickson. "I know there will be challenges — whether it's helping young women grow through adversity, competing at the highest level in the Big Ten, or continuing to evolve the program in a new era — but those are exactly the kinds of challenges that drive me.
"I want to sincerely thank Leslie Gabriel, Kim Durand, and Erin O'Connell for their trust and belief in me. I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to return home and be part of this program's future."
Transitioning quickly from Washington to the U.S. National Team, Hendrickson helped Team USA win the 2015 Pan Am Cup where she was named MVP. She then won gold with the U.S. at the 2015 Pan American Games, and she was named an alternate for the 2016 Rio Olympic Team. She played professionally from the fall of 2015 through spring of 2016 with Volero Zurich in Switzerland, then was back in Seattle during the 2017 fall season as a program assistant before embarking on her full-time collegiate coaching career in Bloomington, Indiana.
Krista's #16 jersey was raised to the rafters in Hec Edmundson Pavilion in 2017, the second female athlete to have that honor, joining another volleyball legend, Courtney Thompson. Women's basketball legend Kelsey Plum became the third female athlete to join that select group this past season. Hendrickson then joined the Husky Hall of Fame in 2023. She was also inducted into the Southern California Indoor Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Krista married Duncan Hendrickson, a former UW Baseball letterwinner, and the couple welcomed their first son, Liam, in 2024.
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