Wisevoter
Milwaukee

Hattie Bray Joined Marquette Volleyball Coaching Staff

The former Golden Eagles standout has returned to Milwaukee to take on a role as the director of player development.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Volleyball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of volleyball players and coaching staff in motion on a hardwood court, reflecting collegiate development.
Former Marquette University standout Hattie Bray has returned to the Golden Eagles as the program's new director of player development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe recent graduates make effective coaches for their former college athletic teams?

Former Marquette University volleyball player Hattie Bray has joined the coaching staff as the program's director of player development. Bray returns to the Al McGuire Center after a professional stint with the Grand Rapids Rise and a move to Minnesota MLV.

Why it matters

The Marquette coaching staff added Bray to provide mentorship for the program's young team. Her presence offers current players guidance from a recent graduate who successfully transitioned into professional volleyball.

Bray spent four years as a player for Marquette and stands 6'1 as a middle blocker. She recorded 19 match appearances for the Grand Rapids Rise after being selected in the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft.

The players

Hattie Bray

A former Marquette University volleyball standout who currently serves as the director of player development for the program.

Marquette University

A private Catholic university located in Milwaukee that competes in the Big East Conference.

Grand Rapids Rise

A professional volleyball team that selected Bray during the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft.

Minnesota MLV

The professional volleyball organization where Bray currently maintains her active playing career.

The details

Bray assists the staff with operations tasks and position-specific coaching. During training at the Al McGuire Center, she incorporates basketball backboards to lead specialized jumping and speed drills for the athletes.

Timeline

  1. Hattie Bray graduated from Marquette University in May 2026.

  2. The Grand Rapids Rise drafted Hattie Bray in 2025.

  3. Professional volleyball seasons typically occur from January through May.

Season Trajectory

This appointment follows the broader pattern of NCAA athletes transitioning into the professional Major League Volleyball circuit. Bray's role bridges the gap between collegiate training and professional expectations, positioning Marquette to better prepare its roster for high-level competition.

Bray’s departure in one month means her tenure as director of player development will be limited to the current pre-professional training period. Her involvement provides current Marquette players with technical instruction using speed and jumping drills during active practices.

The takeaway

Bray demonstrates how modern athletes can maintain professional playing careers while gaining experience in collegiate coaching. Her short-term tenure highlights the growing fluidity between university programs and professional leagues.

What happens next

Hattie Bray is scheduled to depart from her coaching role at Marquette University in approximately one month to begin her professional season with Minnesota MLV.

Further reading

For more on the local team, check out the latest updates from Volleyball.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Marquette Wire.

Live Poll

Do you believe recent graduates make effective coaches for their former college athletic teams?