Averett athletics photo

Virginia Wesleyan lured Liz Hudy from Averett, where she built the Cougars into conference title contenders, to be its next head women's basketball coach.

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Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tina Hill announced the hire on Wednesday.

'We're thrilled to have someone as talented as Coach Hudy join our community at this time in our program history," said Hill in the University's press release. "She brings with her a passion for the sport of basketball and a love of Division III athletics. She not only has demonstrated a keen sense of competitiveness on the hardwood as a player and a coach, but she also understands the importance of performing well in the classroom."

Hudy went 105-105 as the head coach at Averett over eight seasons and led the Cougars to 18 wins each of the last three seasons. The Cougars went 13-3 in the USA South Athletic Conference last season and finished in first place in the Conference's East Division. Hudy's three winning seasons at Averett equals the combined total for the program under all its previous coaches.

During her playing career Liz (Hickey) Hudy was a three-time All-American at Mary Washington. As a junior she helped lead the Eagles to the 2008 NCAA Tournament semifinals. Mary Washington won three conference titles and reached the NCAA Tournament all four seasons during Hudy's career. Hudy finished her career as the all-time leader for blocked shots in Division III women's basketball with 510.

"I am beyond thrilled to be Virginia Wesleyan University's next women's basketball coach," Hudy says. "I would like to thank President Miller and Tina Hill for this opportunity to return to my hometown and continue my passion of coaching NCAA Division III basketball. I look forward to working with the talented coaches at VWU and working with quality student-athletes to establish a championship culture on and off the court. " 

Hudy replaces Stephany Dunmyer who left Virginia Wesleyan as the program's all-time leader in coaching victories to lead the program at Oberlin.

Virginia Wesleyan finished 14-12, 11-7 in the ODAC last season.