Hagemaster, who brings with him 15 years of volleyball coaching experience, will work with the setters as well as the Ragin’ Cajuns defense in addition to contributing to the program’s recruiting efforts. Prior to arriving in Lafayette, Hagemaster coached the Crystal Lake, Ill.-based Sky High Volleyball Club 17-and-under team to the 2006 USAV National Championship. In 2005, his team finished 11th overall in the country.

"In the short time George has been here, he has been fantastic," Mazeitis said. "I think what he’s going to bring to program will really help us in making a huge jump very quickly. With his recruiting contacts, knowledge of the game and his desire to want to coach at the Division I level, he is going to make for a great addition to everything we are doing here at UL."

From 1999-2004, he coached the Second City Volleyball Club team in Evergreen Park, Ill., watching the program soar with great success. His 15-and-under team won a silver medal in 2000, while serving as an assistant for the 18-and-under boys team that finished third at nationals that same year. In addition to coaching on the club circuit, Hagemaster served as a junior varsity coach for Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Ill., coaching the Spartans to eight straight sectional finals. He later served as varsity head coach for Chicago’s Marist High School in 1999-2000.

Hagemaster is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he played on the men’s club team. As a high school player, he first learned to play for the Second City Volleyball Club.

"Volleyball has always been my passion," Hagemaster said. "I enjoy helping players develop both mentally and physically. You never know how good you can be until you try."