Marquette University Athletics has added two new members to its volleyball coaching staff for the 2026 season. Hattie Bray, a former standout player for the Golden Eagles, has returned as Director of Player Development, while Zach Champagne, an expert in sports performance analytics, has joined as Technical Coordinator/Performance Analyst. These appointments aim to strengthen the program with experienced leadership and data-driven strategies as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Bray's return brings leadership and experience
Bray returns to Marquette after a remarkable college career and a year playing professionally. During her time with the Golden Eagles, she was one of the most decorated middle blockers in program history and played a key role in guiding the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances. In her final season of 2025, she delivered an impressive performance, tallying 289 kills at a .376 hitting percentage and leading the team with 132 total blocks. Her leadership and on-court success earned her AVCA All-North Region First Team honors and unanimous All-BIG EAST recognition.
Following her senior season, Bray took her talents to the professional level, where she played 19 matches for the Grand Rapids Rise in the 2026 season. She recorded 17 kills, 20 digs, 11 blocks, and four aces during her debut in professional volleyball, which began on January 9, 2026. After that season, she signed with Minnesota MLV to continue her professional journey. Bray, a native of Hancock, Wisconsin, holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Marquette and earned her master's in management in 2026, demonstrating her dedication to both education and athletics.
Marquette head coach Tom Mendoza expressed excitement about Bray's return to the program, stating her background and character will significantly influence the team. He emphasized that Bray's experience, leadership qualities, and strong moral character will provide young athletes with guidance as they strive to succeed both on and off the court. Bray's return is seen as a vital step in nurturing the next generation of Golden Eagles.
Champagne brings analytics expertise
Zach Champagne brings a unique skill set to Marquette's staff, combining volleyball coaching experience with a strong foundation in sports performance analytics. He joins the Golden Eagles after developing his expertise through roles at Marquette Athletics, the Milwaukee Admirals, and the University of St. Thomas. Champagne's focus on data collection, performance monitoring, and athlete workload management is expected to contribute significantly to the team's success.
Champagne previously worked with Marquette Athletics as a sports performance assistant, where he was responsible for athlete data management and reporting using advanced tools like Catapult, VALD, DXA, and BioDex. He evaluated performance trends and supported coaches in making data-driven decisions to enhance training and competition outcomes. Additionally, he served as a sports science intern with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he contributed to athlete tracking and strength and conditioning operations.
Champagne's education and volleyball background further strengthen his qualifications for the role. He earned a bachelor's degree in data analytics from the University of St. Thomas, along with minors in statistics, political science, and biblical studies. Champagne also has coaching experience through Revolution Volleyball Academy, where he serves as an assistant, and previously coached at Northern Lights Volleyball's Boys Skills Camp. As a player, he competed as a middle blocker for the University of St.
Mendoza highlights importance of new staff members
Head coach Tom Mendoza praised both new hires for their potential to enhance the Golden Eagles' program. He described Champagne as an ideal addition due to his volleyball experience and expertise in performance data. He believes Champagne's work will impact every aspect of the team's performance, from jump mechanics to on-court execution, helping create an optimal environment for success.
Bray and Champagne will work closely with Mendoza and the rest of the coaching staff as they prepare for the 2026 season. Their combined experience in leadership, analytics, and coaching is expected to elevate the Golden Eagles' performance and foster a culture of excellence both on and off the court. With these new additions, Marquette University Athletics is looking to build on its success and continue to develop a competitive program with a strong foundation.