Marquette University Athletics
VB Announces Staff Additions of Hattie Bray and Zach Champagne
8/6/2026 10:12:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Former Golden Eagle standout returns as Director of Player Development while analytics specialist joins staff as Technical Coordinator/Performance Analyst
MILWAUKEE – Marquette University volleyball head coach Tom Mendoza has announced the addition of two key staff members ahead of the 2026 season, as former Golden Eagle standout Hattie Bray has been named Director of Player Development and Zach Champagne joins the program as Technical Coordinator/Performance Analyst.
Bray returns to the Marquette program following one of the most accomplished playing careers in school history and a season of professional volleyball, while Champagne brings a unique blend of volleyball experience and sports performance analytics expertise to the Golden Eagles.
One of the most decorated middle blockers in program history, Bray returns to Marquette after concluding a standout collegiate career and beginning her professional volleyball career.
"We are excited to keep Hattie around to continue her historic impact on the program," Mendoza said. "Her leadership and experience will be incredibly valuable to our players on their journey to reach their potential as people and athletes. She is both high character and a high achiever, so when she speaks it comes from someone who has walked the walk, but also wants this team and future teams to make their marks on Marquette Volleyball."
A four-time All-BIG EAST selection and 2025 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, Bray helped lead the Golden Eagles to four NCAA Tournament appearances and established herself among the program's most consistent front-row performers. During her final collegiate season in 2025, she earned AVCA All-North Region First Team and unanimous All-BIG EAST honors after recording 289 kills on a .376 hitting percentage while leading the team with 132 total blocks. Bray concluded her Marquette career as a two-time AVCA All-North Region First Team selection, AVCA All-East Region Honorable Mention honoree, NCAA Austin All-Regional Team member and unanimous BIG EAST All-Freshman Team selection.
Following graduation, Bray was selected by the Grand Rapids Rise with the 25th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft. She made her professional debut on Jan. 9, 2026, and appeared in 19 matches for the Rise during the 2026 season, totaling 17 kills, 20 digs, 11 blocks and four aces. Bray is currently signed with Minnesota MLV.
A native of Hancock, Wisconsin, Bray earned her bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Marquette and completed her master's degree in management in 2026.
Champagne joins the Golden Eagles after building a strong foundation in sports performance, analytics and volleyball coaching through roles at Marquette Athletics, the Milwaukee Admirals and the University of St. Thomas.
"To have someone of Zach's background with volleyball combined with performance data is a dream scenario," Mendoza said. "His work will encompass all aspects of our team's performance from generating attack power, managing jump and landing workload, to on-court performance. We are always striving to provide the best environment for our teams to be successful, and I think Zach will be a great contributor in that process."
In his role, Champagne will support Marquette's training and competitive efforts through data collection, analysis and performance monitoring. Last season, Champagne worked with Marquette Athletics as a sports performance assistant, assisting with athlete data management and reporting through platforms such as Catapult, VALD, DXA and BioDex while helping coaches evaluate workload and performance trends. Champagne is also a sports science intern with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he assists with athlete tracking, performance data collection and strength and conditioning operations.
A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Champagne earned a bachelor's degree in data analytics with minors in statistics, political science and biblical studies. He recently graduated with a master's degree in sports and exercise analytics from Marquette and holds a graduate certificate in data science.
Champagne's volleyball background includes serving as president of the St. Thomas men's club volleyball program from 2023-24 and working as a practice assistant with the university's women's volleyball team from 2020-24. He also coached at Northern Lights Volleyball's Boys Volleyball Skills Camp and currently serves as an assistant coach with Revolution Volleyball Academy in Waukesha.
As a player, Champagne competed as a middle blocker for the St. Thomas men's club volleyball team from 2020-24, helping the program reach the NCVF Division II national semifinals in 2022 and 2024.
A native of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a varsity captain and scholar-athlete at South Milwaukee High School before continuing his playing career at St. Thomas.
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Bray returns to the Marquette program following one of the most accomplished playing careers in school history and a season of professional volleyball, while Champagne brings a unique blend of volleyball experience and sports performance analytics expertise to the Golden Eagles.
One of the most decorated middle blockers in program history, Bray returns to Marquette after concluding a standout collegiate career and beginning her professional volleyball career.
"We are excited to keep Hattie around to continue her historic impact on the program," Mendoza said. "Her leadership and experience will be incredibly valuable to our players on their journey to reach their potential as people and athletes. She is both high character and a high achiever, so when she speaks it comes from someone who has walked the walk, but also wants this team and future teams to make their marks on Marquette Volleyball."
A four-time All-BIG EAST selection and 2025 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, Bray helped lead the Golden Eagles to four NCAA Tournament appearances and established herself among the program's most consistent front-row performers. During her final collegiate season in 2025, she earned AVCA All-North Region First Team and unanimous All-BIG EAST honors after recording 289 kills on a .376 hitting percentage while leading the team with 132 total blocks. Bray concluded her Marquette career as a two-time AVCA All-North Region First Team selection, AVCA All-East Region Honorable Mention honoree, NCAA Austin All-Regional Team member and unanimous BIG EAST All-Freshman Team selection.
Following graduation, Bray was selected by the Grand Rapids Rise with the 25th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft. She made her professional debut on Jan. 9, 2026, and appeared in 19 matches for the Rise during the 2026 season, totaling 17 kills, 20 digs, 11 blocks and four aces. Bray is currently signed with Minnesota MLV.
A native of Hancock, Wisconsin, Bray earned her bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Marquette and completed her master's degree in management in 2026.
Champagne joins the Golden Eagles after building a strong foundation in sports performance, analytics and volleyball coaching through roles at Marquette Athletics, the Milwaukee Admirals and the University of St. Thomas.
"To have someone of Zach's background with volleyball combined with performance data is a dream scenario," Mendoza said. "His work will encompass all aspects of our team's performance from generating attack power, managing jump and landing workload, to on-court performance. We are always striving to provide the best environment for our teams to be successful, and I think Zach will be a great contributor in that process."
In his role, Champagne will support Marquette's training and competitive efforts through data collection, analysis and performance monitoring. Last season, Champagne worked with Marquette Athletics as a sports performance assistant, assisting with athlete data management and reporting through platforms such as Catapult, VALD, DXA and BioDex while helping coaches evaluate workload and performance trends. Champagne is also a sports science intern with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he assists with athlete tracking, performance data collection and strength and conditioning operations.
A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Champagne earned a bachelor's degree in data analytics with minors in statistics, political science and biblical studies. He recently graduated with a master's degree in sports and exercise analytics from Marquette and holds a graduate certificate in data science.
Champagne's volleyball background includes serving as president of the St. Thomas men's club volleyball program from 2023-24 and working as a practice assistant with the university's women's volleyball team from 2020-24. He also coached at Northern Lights Volleyball's Boys Volleyball Skills Camp and currently serves as an assistant coach with Revolution Volleyball Academy in Waukesha.
As a player, Champagne competed as a middle blocker for the St. Thomas men's club volleyball team from 2020-24, helping the program reach the NCVF Division II national semifinals in 2022 and 2024.
A native of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a varsity captain and scholar-athlete at South Milwaukee High School before continuing his playing career at St. Thomas.
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