{
  "id": 2114131,
  "title": "Why Hattie Bray is back at Marquette while still playing pro volleyball",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/why-hattie-bray-is-back-at-marquette-while-still-playing-pro",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T10:20:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-hattie-bray-back-marquette-102032207.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hattie Bray, a professional volleyball player, is returning to her alma mater Marquette University as the director of player development while still competing in the Major League Volleyball (MLV). Despite the surging trend of coaches taking on off-season jobs in professional leagues, Marquette's Golden Eagles head coach Tom Mendoza welcomed Bray's addition to the coaching staff. Bray, who is only a few years older than her teammates, brings a wealth of experience and personal connections to the team.\n\nBray's decision to return to Marquette is driven by her desire to expand the sport and contribute to the game's development. She believes that her unique position, being just a few years older than her players, allows her to better understand their personal challenges and tailor her coaching approach accordingly. Bray's insights as a former player will be invaluable in honing the skills of Marquette's athletes. Additionally, she hopes to be a resource for her teammates, offering guidance and feedback without imposing her own agenda.\n\nBray's coaching experience will also benefit her as a player, as she aims to improve her game by learning from her own coaching observations. She has already begun to incorporate the lessons she has learned onto the court, with the hope of becoming an even stronger middle blocker. Mendoza is delighted to have Bray on board, praising her strong connection to the program and her commitment to its success.",
  "summary": "Hattie Bray was looking for something to keep busy – and her volleyball skills sharp – before her season with the Minnesota Forge.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}