Sept. 14, 2010

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist water polo head coach Ashleigh Jacobs has announced the hiring of Hillary Walling to the team's coaching staff this season. Walling, who will serve as an assistant coach, was a four-year member of the Marist water polo team, having played from 2007-2010.

"I am pleased to welcome Hillary Walling to the coaching staff for the 2010-11 season," said Jacobs. "Although injury kept her from competing her junior and senior years, it allowed her to see the game from a coach's perspective as team manager. She is an incredibly motivated and driven person with a strong desire to coach and see Marist water polo succeed."

During Walling's career at Marist, the Red Foxes advanced to the NCAA Water Polo Tournament three times, including winning its first NCAA Tournament match in program history over Cal Lutheran in 2009.

As a coach, Walling guided Houston Water Polo's first 12 and under boys team to the National Junior Olympics Tournament in 2008. She also served as co-head coach for the Jalapeno Water Polo League in her hometown of Humble, Texas during the summer of 2008.

The Red Foxes are coming off their third consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Water Polo championship after defeating Iona, 18-5 in last year's title match.