LA VERNE, CA — Dr. Randi Taylor-Toomay has been named the next head coach of the University of La Verne volleyball team,  Dr. Jenna Panatier announced Thursday.

Dr. Taylor-Toomay joined the University of La Verne volleyball coaching staff in 2019 and is a dedicated Leopard in a way few can claim to be. Her connection to La Verne spans nearly every role possible — undergraduate student, student-athlete, graduate student, doctoral student, coach, adjunct professor, full-time faculty member, and now head coach.

"We are thrilled to announce Dr. Taylor-Toomay as the Leopards' next volleyball head coach," said Panatier. "She is a championship-level competitor and an elite teacher of the game. As a former All-American and All-SCIAC player in this program, she knows what it means to wear La Verne across your back and to pursue excellence in the classroom and on the court. Her vision for developing the complete student-athlete and her ability to build a connected, accountable team culture make her the right leader for our next era of Leopard Volleyball."

She has been an integral part of the Leopards' staff and has helped continue the program's proud legacy of success, most recently as the 2025 NCAA Division III National Runner-Up. La Verne reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2023, captured a regional title and advanced to the Elite 8 in 2024, claimed its first-ever SCIAC Tournament Championship in 2024, and in 2025 won the SCIAC Regular Season Championship for the first time since 2008. In recognition of their accomplishments, Taylor-Toomay and the La Verne staff were named the 2023 and 2025 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Volleyball Coaching Staff of the Year.

"I am honored and excited to lead the University of La Verne volleyball program," said Dr. Taylor-Toomay. "La Verne has always been a special place for me, and I look forward to upholding the high standards of this program. I want to thank Dr. Panatier and the search committee for this opportunity, and I look forward to getting started."

As a student-athlete, Taylor-Toomay built one of the most decorated careers in program history. She earned AVCA All-American and All-West Region honors along with First Team All-SCIAC recognition during her senior season. In 2012, she finished ranked sixth nationally in kills per set and currently stands sixth all-time in La Verne history with 1,271 career kills. She helped lead the Leopards to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and a West Region semifinal berth in 2009. In the same year, she was a gold medalist at the 18 Open division and a USAV Junior National Qualifier.

Before returning to her alma mater as a coach, Taylor-Toomay led the Diamond Ranch High School girls varsity volleyball team from 2013–18 and the boys varsity team from 2015–17, compiling an impressive overall winning percentage of .736. After inheriting a 3–21 girls' squad, she orchestrated a dramatic turnaround to a 12–12 finish in her first season. She guided the Panthers to a Hacienda League Championship in 2015 and second-place finishes in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Under her leadership, 26 student-athletes earned First Team All-Hacienda League honors, and her teams made five CIF Playoff appearances in six seasons.

Away from the court, Taylor-Toomay serves as an Assistant Professor of Elementary Education in La Verne's La Fetra College of Education. She earned her bachelor's degree in liberal studies from La Verne in 2013, her California Single Subject Teaching Credential in 2015, a Master of Education with a Special Emphasis in Physical Education in 2016, and a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership.

With a lifelong commitment to the University of La Verne and a proven record of competitive excellence, Dr. Taylor-Toomay takes over the program as the Leopards continue to build on recent achievements.