University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Hazelwood Adds Dougherty and MacLean as Assistant Coaches
2/4/2022 3:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss volleyball head coach Jenny Hazelwood has announced the hiring of two assistant coaches, Connor Dougherty and Lexi MacLean for the 2022 season.
"Southern Miss volleyball is genuinely fortunate to have these two outstanding coaches joining the staff," Hazelwood said. "I am so fortunate to have, not only two of the best coaches, but two of the most wonderful people to work with every day."
Dougherty brings over a decade of playing experience to Hattiesburg, playing five collegiate seasons at Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Ariz.) and the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa) and eight seasons professionally.
"Connor is naturally one of the most gifted coaches I have had coach with me, and I knew he would be a huge asset at Southern Miss," said Hazelwood. "He has experience playing at the professional level and has spent a lot of his volleyball career playing after college. This experience gives him even further expertise into training at a very high level and he will be a great resource for our student-athletes."
Prior to Southern Miss, Dougherty played in Hawai'i Ima Ola's inaugural season in Tier II of the Volleyball League of America (VLA) as a Middle Back. Before joining Ima Ola, he was a staple for the Phoenix Ascension organization, a founding member of the VLA. His seven years with the club began immediately after his graduation from Grand Canyon.
Dougherty was a member of Grand Canyon's first Men's Volleyball recruiting class. In his 2014 season, Dougherty led the Antelopes with 0.93 blocks per set and was ranked 8th nationally in hitting percentage with a mark of 0.428. He also recorded 187 kills in 26 matches, leading GCU to a 10-5 record at home, the team's best during his tenure.
After graduating from Grand Canyon in May 2014, Dougherty began his professional career with the Ascension that summer. He would later spend two seasons overseas. His first stint came in fall 2014 for the Aris Club (Thessaloniki, Greece) of the first division of A1 FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball).
After returning to Phoenix for the 2015 summer, Dougherty again ventured overseas, this time to Thailand. He signed with Wing 46 Phitsanulok (Phitsanulok, Thailand), becoming the club's first American-born player. His contributions helped lead the club to a Thailand League Title – the organization's first. Later that season, Wing 46 enjoyed a runner-up finish in the Thailand-Denmark Super League, losing only in the championship match in five sets.
The Aurora, Ill. native also boasts nine seasons as a coach for men's and women's volleyball at the high school level. His most recent position was with coach Jenny Hazelwood and her husband at their Infinity Volleyball Academy in Flowood, Miss. His resume dates back to his time at Grand Canyon, where in the 2013 season, he served as a coach at LiveWire Volleyball Club (Phoenix, Ariz.). Serving in that capacity for two more seasons, Dougherty then accepted a position as the Head Coach at North Phoenix Preparatory School, serving one year with the Gladiators.
Hazelwood completes her staff with the addition of Lexi MacLean, who will serve as the Golden Eagles' recruiting coordinator on top of her duties as assistant coach.
"I've known Lexi for a long time and when I took this job, I knew she was someone I wanted to hire," Hazelwood said. "Lexi is incredibly hard-working, passionate and loyal in every way. Her volleyball playing and coaching experiences will bring so much to the players in our program and I truly feel like Southern Miss volleyball is fortunate to have someone like her on staff."
MacLean arrives in Hattiesburg after spending a year at Central Arkansas (Conway, Ark.). She took a leading role in the Sugar Bears 2022 class, signing four. The group boasted two members of the AVCA's All-Region Team and a three-time member of the Texas All-6A team.
A native of Frisco, Texas, MacLean enjoyed a four-year career at two NCAA Division-I programs. She signed with Arizona State (Tempe, Ariz.) out of high school after her club team placed fourth in the Girls Junior National Championship. MacLean made an immediate impact on the Sun Devils squad, helping the team to a 15-0 start and No. 5 ranking in the nation. The Maroon and Gold would qualify for the NCAA Tournament, where the team fell to Florida State in the first round.
After a sophomore season where she set a career high in kills (200), hit percentage (0.174) and points (200), MacLean transferred to TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. In her first season with the Horned Frogs, she started in 21 of the 28 matches she played in, registering 89 sets in total. She would finish the year with 183 digs and 185 kills, third- and fifth-best on the veteran TCU squad. The team's season would end at the hands of rival Texas Tech in the Third Round of the NIVC (National Invitational Volleyball Championship).
In her senior year, MacLean started all 27 matches, playing in 102 sets and led the Horned Frogs to a 15-12 record and 7-9 Big 12 record. She started the season as a libero, later moving back to Outside Hitter for the final 19 matches. She set career highs in assists (34), aces (25) and digs (339).
In her four-year career, MacLean played in 97 matches and 333 sets while compiling 564 kills, 67 assists, 672 digs and 665.5 total points. She was twice named a Scholar Baller at Arizona State and was a member of the 2016 Pac-12 Academic Honorable Mention Team. She would graduate from TCU with a degree in Communications, minoring in Sociology.
MacLean then enrolled at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.) as a graduate assistant for the Razorbacks. During her time with the Hogs, MacLean worked with team personnel and players on a daily basis in practice and through keeping official statistics for the team. In three seasons under coach Jason Watson, the Razorbacks saw improvements in all statistical categories, eventually placing players within the top 10 of six different SEC Individual categories.
The Cardinal and White enjoyed a successful 2020-21 season, MacLean's last with the program, winning 14 SEC games, the most since 2003. Head Coach Jason Watson was named SEC Coach of the Year and two players were recognized as members of the All-SEC team. She earned her master's degree in Physical Education in May 2021, where she took her talents to Central Arkansas.
The Southern Miss volleyball staff awaits the start of the 2022 season and has already begun propelling the Golden Eagles to new heights.
"Southern Miss volleyball is genuinely fortunate to have these two outstanding coaches joining the staff," Hazelwood said. "I am so fortunate to have, not only two of the best coaches, but two of the most wonderful people to work with every day."
Dougherty brings over a decade of playing experience to Hattiesburg, playing five collegiate seasons at Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Ariz.) and the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa) and eight seasons professionally.
"Connor is naturally one of the most gifted coaches I have had coach with me, and I knew he would be a huge asset at Southern Miss," said Hazelwood. "He has experience playing at the professional level and has spent a lot of his volleyball career playing after college. This experience gives him even further expertise into training at a very high level and he will be a great resource for our student-athletes."
Prior to Southern Miss, Dougherty played in Hawai'i Ima Ola's inaugural season in Tier II of the Volleyball League of America (VLA) as a Middle Back. Before joining Ima Ola, he was a staple for the Phoenix Ascension organization, a founding member of the VLA. His seven years with the club began immediately after his graduation from Grand Canyon.
Dougherty was a member of Grand Canyon's first Men's Volleyball recruiting class. In his 2014 season, Dougherty led the Antelopes with 0.93 blocks per set and was ranked 8th nationally in hitting percentage with a mark of 0.428. He also recorded 187 kills in 26 matches, leading GCU to a 10-5 record at home, the team's best during his tenure.
After graduating from Grand Canyon in May 2014, Dougherty began his professional career with the Ascension that summer. He would later spend two seasons overseas. His first stint came in fall 2014 for the Aris Club (Thessaloniki, Greece) of the first division of A1 FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball).
After returning to Phoenix for the 2015 summer, Dougherty again ventured overseas, this time to Thailand. He signed with Wing 46 Phitsanulok (Phitsanulok, Thailand), becoming the club's first American-born player. His contributions helped lead the club to a Thailand League Title – the organization's first. Later that season, Wing 46 enjoyed a runner-up finish in the Thailand-Denmark Super League, losing only in the championship match in five sets.
The Aurora, Ill. native also boasts nine seasons as a coach for men's and women's volleyball at the high school level. His most recent position was with coach Jenny Hazelwood and her husband at their Infinity Volleyball Academy in Flowood, Miss. His resume dates back to his time at Grand Canyon, where in the 2013 season, he served as a coach at LiveWire Volleyball Club (Phoenix, Ariz.). Serving in that capacity for two more seasons, Dougherty then accepted a position as the Head Coach at North Phoenix Preparatory School, serving one year with the Gladiators.
Hazelwood completes her staff with the addition of Lexi MacLean, who will serve as the Golden Eagles' recruiting coordinator on top of her duties as assistant coach.
"I've known Lexi for a long time and when I took this job, I knew she was someone I wanted to hire," Hazelwood said. "Lexi is incredibly hard-working, passionate and loyal in every way. Her volleyball playing and coaching experiences will bring so much to the players in our program and I truly feel like Southern Miss volleyball is fortunate to have someone like her on staff."
MacLean arrives in Hattiesburg after spending a year at Central Arkansas (Conway, Ark.). She took a leading role in the Sugar Bears 2022 class, signing four. The group boasted two members of the AVCA's All-Region Team and a three-time member of the Texas All-6A team.
A native of Frisco, Texas, MacLean enjoyed a four-year career at two NCAA Division-I programs. She signed with Arizona State (Tempe, Ariz.) out of high school after her club team placed fourth in the Girls Junior National Championship. MacLean made an immediate impact on the Sun Devils squad, helping the team to a 15-0 start and No. 5 ranking in the nation. The Maroon and Gold would qualify for the NCAA Tournament, where the team fell to Florida State in the first round.
After a sophomore season where she set a career high in kills (200), hit percentage (0.174) and points (200), MacLean transferred to TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. In her first season with the Horned Frogs, she started in 21 of the 28 matches she played in, registering 89 sets in total. She would finish the year with 183 digs and 185 kills, third- and fifth-best on the veteran TCU squad. The team's season would end at the hands of rival Texas Tech in the Third Round of the NIVC (National Invitational Volleyball Championship).
In her senior year, MacLean started all 27 matches, playing in 102 sets and led the Horned Frogs to a 15-12 record and 7-9 Big 12 record. She started the season as a libero, later moving back to Outside Hitter for the final 19 matches. She set career highs in assists (34), aces (25) and digs (339).
In her four-year career, MacLean played in 97 matches and 333 sets while compiling 564 kills, 67 assists, 672 digs and 665.5 total points. She was twice named a Scholar Baller at Arizona State and was a member of the 2016 Pac-12 Academic Honorable Mention Team. She would graduate from TCU with a degree in Communications, minoring in Sociology.
MacLean then enrolled at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.) as a graduate assistant for the Razorbacks. During her time with the Hogs, MacLean worked with team personnel and players on a daily basis in practice and through keeping official statistics for the team. In three seasons under coach Jason Watson, the Razorbacks saw improvements in all statistical categories, eventually placing players within the top 10 of six different SEC Individual categories.
The Cardinal and White enjoyed a successful 2020-21 season, MacLean's last with the program, winning 14 SEC games, the most since 2003. Head Coach Jason Watson was named SEC Coach of the Year and two players were recognized as members of the All-SEC team. She earned her master's degree in Physical Education in May 2021, where she took her talents to Central Arkansas.
The Southern Miss volleyball staff awaits the start of the 2022 season and has already begun propelling the Golden Eagles to new heights.
Episode 5: Forged In Fire
Wednesday, November 29
Episode 4:Forged In Fire
Friday, November 03
Volleyball HC Jenny Hazelwood and Junior Mia Wesley- Arkansas State Postgame
Saturday, October 21
Episode 3: Forged In Fire
Thursday, October 19