Westmont Magazine Ruth McGolpin Brings Experience, Expertise and Energy to Women’s Volleyball

After four years as an assistant coach at Westmont, Ruth McGolpin has become the new women’s volleyball head coach. In her first year at the helm, she led the Warriors (25-6) to a GSAC Regular Season Co-Championship and a GSAC Tournament Championship. She has coached at the high school and college level since 1992, with assistant coaching positions at UC Santa Barbara, Colorado Mesa University, the University of South Carolina and Northern Arizona University.

A native of Santa Barbara, McGolpin competed in three sports at Dos Pueblos High School before attending Northern Arizona University. She was named to the Big Sky Conference All-Decade Team (1982-1992) and was inducted into the NAU Hall of Fame in 2000. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at NAU.

McGolpin served as the head coach of the girls’ volleyball team at Dos Pueblos from 1997-2002. She continues to coach the beach volleyball team there and also directs the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club.

“I love to win,” she says. “However, this program has taught me that the real wins come in the relationships we build together. My goals for these young women include being great volleyball players and great people. I believe their faith in Christ is a big component for their success in life and helps steer them. I want them to excel in the classroom. I want them to be a part of the Santa Barbara community. I want them to learn how to give 100 percent of themselves, develop a strong work ethic and hold on to a positive outlook on life. I want them to take risks on the court and be constantly outside of their comfort zone. I want them to forgive themselves for their mistakes and to spend 90 percent of the time on solutions.”

The 12th head coach of the Warrior volleyball program (now in its 47th year), McGolpin took over a program with a 97-13 record in the past three years and three successive trips to the National Tournament. Despite having only one senior on the team, she was able to lead the Warriors back to the National Tournament where they hosted an opening round match November 23 and were favored to advance to the 20-team National Tournament Dec. 3-7 in Sioux City, Iowa.