May 29—PEMBROKE — An experienced leader with previous coaching stops at the NJCAA, NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, Carly Wehling was announced as the 11th head coach in the 48-year history of the UNC Pembroke volleyball program on Friday.
Wehling treks to Pembroke from Ottumwa, Iowa, where she has served the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Indian Hills Community College. She has taken on similar roles at Montana State Billings and Waldorf, as well as a stint as a prep head coach in Alabama.
Wehling will take over the program following the departure of Ellen McGill (2015-21) who coached the Braves for six seasons. Jaleesa Harper will serve as the program’s interim head coach in the transition.
“Carly immediately separated herself during the search process with her energy and a vision for success that builds on the great foundation that is already in place,” said athletics director Dick Christy. “She is student-focused, and will ensure an outstanding experience for our team as we make our transition into Conference Carolinas.”
Wehling helped lead Indian Hills CC to 50 victories over the last two seasons, including a 36-5 clip during a 2019 campaign that culminated with a district title and a trip to the NJCAA National Championships in Hutchinson, Kan. That squad, which was led by first team all-American Mariana Rodrigues, led the NJCAA with 13.12 assists per set, while ranking among the top 10 in two other categories as well. The Warriors registered 14 victories in 2020-21, while ranking among the nation’s top 25 teams in four statistical categories.
Prior to her stint in southeast Iowa, Wehling spent three seasons (2016-18) as the assistant coach for Montana State Billings where she helped lead the Yellowjackets to 29 victories, including a 13-win campaign in 2018. MSU Billings posted better than 231 blocks in Wehling’s final season with the club, while also registering nearly 170 service aces. Her time in Billings was preceded by a one-year graduate assistant appoint at Waldorf in Forest City, Iowa.
Wehling also possesses a wealth of experience at the prep and club levels as well. She took the reins of the varsity volleyball program at Southern Academy in Greensboro, Ala., for the 2014 season, and joined on with the Club Crimson organization in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 2013 and 2014 as well.
An all-region selection at Indian Hills CC following both the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Wehling finished off her collegiate playing career at West Alabama where she was a first team All-Gulf South Conference pick as a senior in 2013. She played in 61 matches (54 starts) over her two-year stay in Livingston, Ala., and amassed 710 assists, 506 digs, 397 kills, 108 service aces and 65 total blocks in 217 sets. She logged 683 assists (6.15/set) as a senior.
“I’d like to thank Mr. Christy and the search committee for giving me this great opportunity,” Wehling said. “I’m excited to become a part of the UNCP family. A big thank you to Ellen for all of the work that she put into rebuilding this program. I’m looking forward to continuing to build on the recent success that the program has had. After meeting the team, it’s clear that this group is ready to make a statement, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish. Go Braves!”
A native of Readlyn, Iowa, Wehling earned her associate’s degree in general education from Indian Hills CC in 2011, and completed her undergraduate work in physical education at West Alabama in 2015. She earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Waldorf in 2016. She is the mother of twins — daughter, Avery, and son, Gunsby.