Heather Dewhirst (née Roberts) came to Colorado School of Mines in 2008 as the assistant volleyball coach under Jamie Magalei (née Skadeland). The 2024 season marked her 17th season as the assistant for the Orediggers. She enters her 18th season in the fall of 2025.
During her time with the program, Dewhirst has aided Mines to a 363-139 overall record (.723 winning percentage), as well as a 228-68 mark in RMAC matches (.770 winning percentage). She was named the AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2014. She has assisted with the development of numerous award winners including 31 all-America honors, the 2018 AVCA National Freshman of the Year, three Regional Players of the Year, two Regional Freshmen of the Year, nine RMAC Setters of the Year, four RMAC Players of the Year, two RMAC Freshmen of the Year and one RMAC Defensive Player of the Year with a total of 66 All-RMAC performers and 33 First-Team All-RMAC players.
From 2023-24, Dewhirst and the Orediggers went 23-29 (12-16 RMAC). That span included three all-conference performers including Rose Stuewe and Presley Powell in 2023 and Hannah Kinnison in 2024. The same period featured one program record and four edits to the Mines record book.
The 2022 season saw Dewhirst assist Mines to an overall record of 22-8 while going 15-3 in RMAC play resulting in the #4 seed in the conference tournament. The Orediggers eventually fell to the nation's #1 team MSU Denver in the RMAC Tournament semifinals. Even still, they advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a 13th consecutive season as the #6 seed in the South Central Region. Magalei and Dewhirst guided Mines to an upset of third-seeded and #14-ranked Regis in five sets in the opening round. That led them to second-seeded and #9-ranked West Texas A&M. The Orediggers fell in five sets to the eventual national champions. With Dewhirst's assistance, Mines' offense finished the season ranked #1 in the nation in kills per set and #2 in the nation in assists per set. Individually, Drew Stokes won her fourth RMAC Setter of the Year award as she and Rose Stuewe were voted First-Team All-RMAC while Megan Neil and Elle Duis earned Second-Team All-RMAC honors. Stokes and Stuewe both earned a pair of all-region awards. Stuewe was eventually named AVCA Third-Team All-America while Stokes was AVCA Second-Team All-America and D2CCA First-Team All-America. The 2022 Mines squad made 14 edits to the program record book including Stokes becoming the all-time assists leader and Duis taking #1 on the all-time digs list. Furthermore, Stokes' two all-America awards made her the most decorated player in program history.
In the fall of 2021, Dewhirst assisted Magalei and the Orediggers to one of the best seasons in program history. Mines finished the season 26-4 overall while going 16-2 in RMAC play on the way to the conference tournament crown. The Orediggers' overall winning percentage ranked #1 in program history. The conference tournament title was Mines' third straight and fifth overall. It extended a streak for Dewhirst and Magalei to a decade of winning either the regular-season or tournament title for the league. Additionally, the Orediggers won the tournament crown by toppling the #1-ranked team in the nation for the first time ever. The results from the regular season and conference postseason helped Mines earn their 12th straight NCAA Tournament berth. Despite falling to seventh-seeded West Texas A&M in the first round, the Orediggers finished the season ranked #1 in NCAA Division II in hitting percentage while sitting #3 in assists per set, #5 in kills per set and #5 in overall winning percentage. The team's .313 mark on the attack also broke the program's all-time record. One other notable team accomplishment was winning 22 consecutive sets from Oct. 29 - Nov. 19 in the RMAC Tournament Semifinals. It marked the longest set winning streak in program history. Individually, multiple individuals earned numerous awards including Drew Stokes bringing home RMAC Setter of the Year for the third time while five individuals appeared on the AVCA All-America list, led by Stokes and Amanda Donais on the second and third teams, respectively. In total, Dewhirst helped coach five all-region performers and seven all-RMAC performers while making 23 edits to the program record book.
During the 2020-21 school year, Dewhirst assisted Magalei and the Orediggers through adversity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and helped the Orediggers win the 2020-21 RMAC Tournament crown. Despite no NCAA Tournament, Mines still finished 11-4 overall and 8-4 in RMAC play while taking down #2-ranked Colorado Mesa and #3-ranked MSU Denver to win the tournament title. Dewhirst's expertise helped the Orediggers to their highest final national ranking in program history at #9. Individually, Dewhirst assisted the development of five All-RMAC performers including Drew Stokes who won her third consecutive RMAC Setter of the Year award.
The 2019 campaign saw Dewhirst help the Orediggers to their third RMAC Tournament title in the last five years. Mines finished the season 25-7 overall with a mark of 13-5 in RMAC play. Dewhirst also helped Mines reach its 11th straight NCAA Tournament where it advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The historic run featured 10 consecutive victories including wins over Colorado Mesa, #5-ranked Regis and MSU Denver in the RMAC Tournament before taking down Tarleton State and #12-ranked Angelo State in the NCAA Tournament. Mines' success led to numerous individual awards which were headlined by All-America nods for Abby Tiesman and Drew Stokes. Tiesman was also named AVCA South Central Regional Player of the Year. Both Tiesman and Stokes received first-team all-region nods from the AVCA and D2CCA. In total, Dewhirst assisted six individuals to All-RMAC distinction and helped the team create 17 new entries into the program record book.
The 2018 season saw Dewhirst assist in bringing the Orediggers their sixth RMAC regular season title. Mines finished the season 24-6 overall and 16-2 in RMAC play. Dewhirst also helped the Orediggers to their 10th straight NCAA Tournament appearance where they defeated MSU Denver in the first round. Dewhirst's mentorship helped roll in plenty of awards highlighted by the program's first-ever AVCA National Freshman of the Year in Drew Stokes. The freshman also earned AVCA All-America honors, South Central Region Freshman of the Year, RMAC Setter of the Year and RMAC Freshman of the Year. In total, Dewhirst helped mentor six All-RMAC players, two all-region performers and two all-Americans. With Dewhirst on staff, Mines broke one program record and added 11 entries to the Oredigger record book in 2018.
Dewhirst helped Mines bring home its fifth RMAC regular season championship in 2017 as the Orediggers recorded at least 25 wins for a sixth-straight season, going 25-6 overall and 17-1 in RMAC play. Mines was ranked as high as No. 16 in the AVCA Top 25 and finished the season ranked No. 21 in NCAA Division II. Mines qualified for their ninth-straight NCAA tournament behind the play of senior all-American setter Marina Hansen after she was named RMAC Setter of the Year.
In 2016, Mines had another banner year winning its second consecutive RMAC Tournament title with a 25-7 record. The Orediggers remained in the AVCA Top 25 all season as they advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round led by all-region hitters Alanna Winfield and Ellie Monarch and RMAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Taryn Huber. Huber also became Mines volleyball's first-ever Academic All-American as she took home RMAC Academic Player of the Year honors.
Dewhirst along with head coach Jamie Magalei led the Orediggers to a 2015 season that saw a program-record 27 wins to only six loses and a 16-2 mark in the RMAC. Mines also reached as high as No. 6 in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. Johnson-Hazlewood, along with fellow AVCA All-American Alanna Winfield, took Mines to No. 5 nationally in assists per set (13.58), No. 6 in kill per set (14.44) and led the program to its first ever RMAC Tournament Championship. By season’s end, Dewhirst had helped groom Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood and Alanna Winfield to AVCA Second Team All-Americans (third straight honor for both), the RMAC Summit Award winner (Taryn Huber), two All-South Central Tournament Selections, three RMAC Tournament selections including Tournament MVP Frannie Cormier, two Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team members, five all-conference choices including Player and Setter of the Year Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood (second consecutive season), eight RMAC Players of the Week and three AVCA All-Region honorees.
Dewhirst was named the AVCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year for a second consecutive season as she helped Mines to its third straight RMAC Championship in 2014. Led by repeat AVCA and Daktronics All-American Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood, the Orediggers closed at 25-4 overall and 17-1 in the RMAC in 2014, reaching as high as No. 4 in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. Johnson-Hazlewood, along with fellow AVCA All-Americans and First Team All-RMAC selections Alanna Winfield and Megan Peterson, propelled Mines to No. 2 nationally in assists per set (14.11), No. 3 in kills per set (14.88), No. 9 in attacks per set (39.56) and No. 15 in digs per set (18.88) – all conference-highs. The RMAC Player and Setter of the Year, Johnson-Hazlewood became the program's all-time assists leader during the opening set against Western State on Sept. 24, passing Amanda Massey (2008-11) for the record with the 3,123rd assist of her career. Dewhirst had helped the Orediggers to two RMAC First Team All-Academic recipients, three Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team members, five all-conference choices, 14 RMAC Players of the Week, and three AVCA and Daktronics All-Region honorees, in addition to the trio of All-Americans.
Dewhirst was named the AVCA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year during the 2013 campaign, as the Orediggers backed up their first-ever RMAC Volleyball Title in 2012 with a repeat performance in 2013. The squad posted a 25-7 overall record, including a 17-2 mark in RMAC play. Mines once against spent the entirety of the campaign inside the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 poll before ending the season with a No. 19 national ranking. The squad embarked on a fifth-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed in the South Central Region and advanced to the semifinal round of the regional tournament for the third-consecutive season. Also, the squad was ranked No. 1 in the region during the 2013 campaign, the first such ranking in program history. Dewhirst helped lead the Orediggers to a program record 15-match win streak and once again hosted the RMAC Volleyball Tournament for the second-straight season. Senior Melanie Wannamaker was named a First Team AVCA All-American, sophomore Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood was named a Second Team AVCA All-American and freshman Alanna Winfield was named a Third Team AVCA All-American during the 2013 season, marking the first time Mines has had three All-Americans in one season, and its second-straight season with multiple All-Americans. Sophomore Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood was also named a Third Team All-American by Daktronics. Additionally, Wannamaker set program records for kills in a season (524), attack percentage (.386), kills per set (4.48) and finished fifth in the nation in attack percentage, fifth in kills per set and fourth in points per set (5.22). Also named the RMAC Player of the Year, First Team All-RMAC, First Team AVCA All-Region, First Team Daktronics All-Region and the Daktronics South Central Region Player of the Year, Wannamaker was named the RMAC Athlete of the Month in October and was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week on five occasions during the 2013 campaign. She was named to the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team, the RMAC All-Tournament Team and the South Central Region All-Tournament Team as well. Johnson Hazlewood set a new program record for assists in a season (1,494) and assists per set (12.77) while finishing third nationally in assists per set and total assists. She was named the RMAC Setter of the Year, First Team All-RMAC, First Team AVCA All-Region, First Team Daktronics All-Region and earned spots as the Tournament MVP of the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team and was also named to the South Central Region All-Tournament Team. She earned RMAC Setter of the Week honors on five occasions during the 2013 campaign as well. Winfield earned RMAC Freshman of the Year and AVCA South Central Region Freshman of the Year honors and earned one RMAC Offensive Player of the Week award in 2013. She also grabbed a spot on the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team and was named Second Team All-RMAC and AVCA All-Region during her rookie campaign. Senior Hannah Margheim was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions during the 2013 campaign and she and sophomore Corrine Din were named the Academic All-RMAC Honor Roll. Margheim ended her career as the program’s all-time leader in career digs with 1,905. Additionally, Din was named First Team Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District and earned the RMAC Volleyball Summit Award for having the highest grade point average of any athlete at the 2013 RMAC Volleyball Championships.
The 2012 Orediggers set numerous program records under Dewhirst's assistance, including a 26-7 overall record, a 17-2 conference record and the program’s first-ever RMAC Championship. The squad spent the entirety of the 2012 season inside the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll, climbing to a program-record 11th in the final poll. The squad embarked on its fourth-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament with a program-record No. 2 ranking in the NCAA Division II South Central Region. The Orediggers posted a 7-4 record against teams ranked in the AVCA Top 25 and advanced to the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament for the second-consecutive year. Mines hosted the RMAC Volleyball Tournament for the first time in program history and advanced to the RMAC Tournament Championship match – also a first for the program. Head Coach Jamie Magalei was named both the RMAC Coach of the Year and the AVCA South Central Region Coach of the Year after the squad recorded a .788 winning percentage – also a program record. Senior Jackie Stabell was named a Second Team AVCA All-American, a Third Team Daktronics All-American, First Team Daktronics All-Region, First Team All-RMAC, the Daktronics South Central Region Player of the Year, the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year and the RMAC Academic Player of the Year during the 2012 season. In addition, Stabell earned spots on the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team, the RMAC All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Division II South Central Regional All-Tournament Team. Stabell was also named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week on four occasions during the 2012 campaign and earned AVCA National Player of the Week honors. A member of Magalei's and Dewhirst's first-ever recruiting class; Stabell finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in kills with 1,516. Junior Melanie Wannamaker set a program record with a .355 attack percentage en route to Second Team AVCA All-American, AVCA All-Region and Second Team All-RMAC honors and was named both an RMAC Offensive and RMAC Defensive Player of the Week in 2012. Freshman Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood was named Honorable Mention AVCA All-Region in addition to earning Second Team All-RMAC honors. She was named the RMAC Setter of the Week on three occasions and senior Holly Hutchison earned Third Team All-RMAC honors as well.
Also during the 2012-13 academic year, Dewhirst was named to the AVCA's "Thirty Under 30" list.
Dewhirst was instrumental in helping lead the Orediggers to their third-straight NCAA Tournament in 2011, and fourth in school history, after the squad posted an 18-9 regular season record and a 12-6 mark in the RMAC. The squad posted a 6-4 record against teams ranked in the top 25 during the season, with no win bigger than the team’s 3-2 upset of then-No. 4 and top-seeded Nebraska-Kearney in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The win over the Lopers was the first NCAA Tournament victory in the history of the Mines Volleyball program and the Orediggers accounted for both losses by the Lopers during the season. The squad fell to No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State in the second round by a score of 3-1 to end its season with a 19-11 overall record and Mines was receiving votes in the final AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. Amanda Massey was named AVCA All-Region, Daktronics Second Team All-Region, First Team All-RMAC and RMAC Setter of the Year after setting a new program mark with 1,276 assists on the season. She was named RMAC/Baden Setter of the Week on four occasions during the year and Sports Imports / AVCA Division II National Player of the Week on two occasions. Jackie Stabell was named First Team All-RMAC, AVCA All-Region and earned the program’s first All-American award after earning Third Team All-American honors from the AVCA. She also earned a selection to the NCAA Division II Central Region All-Tournament Team and Holly Hutchison joined Massey and Stabell on the All-RMAC teams after earning a Third Team selection by the league’s coaches.
Dewhirst helped lead the Orediggers to their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament in 2010. Mines earned the #8 seed in the Central Region Tournament and squared off against #1 seed and tournament host Southwest Minnesota State University in the quarterfinals. Mines endured a five-set loss to the Mustangs, who were ranked fourth in the country at the time. The Orediggers, who were ranked as high as #8 in the Central Region rankings during the 2010 season, finished the year at 19-10 overall. Mines went 12-6 in the RMAC and finished third in the East Division standings. The Orediggers earned the #4 seed in the RMAC Tournament, marking the third time in as many seasons that Mines qualified for post-season competition. Elizabeth Serra-Hsu was a First Team All-RMAC selection and Jackie Stabell garnered Second Team All-RMAC recognition.
In 2009, Dewhirst helped guide the Orediggers to their second-ever NCAA post-season appearance. Mines, which established new single-season program records for overall victories (22) and conference victories, qualified as the #8 seed in the 2009 NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament. The Orediggers posted a 13-6 mark in the RMAC in 2009 and tied for third place in the East Division. Mines recorded a new program record for consecutive matches won (nine) and qualified for the RMAC Tournament for the second consecutive season. Mines earned the #5 seed in the RMAC Tournament and advanced into the semifinals for the second year in a row. Two Orediggers earned All-RMAC honors, including Serra-Hsu, who also garnered Second Team All-Central Region recognition.
During Dewhirst's first season at Mines in 2008, the Orediggers compiled a 19-13 overall record (12-7 RMAC) and qualified as the #6 seed in the RMAC Tournament. The Orediggers, who advanced into the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament, were ranked as high as eighth in the NCAA Division II Central Region Poll in 2008.
Prior to her arrival at Colorado School of Mines, Dewhirst spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri - Rolla). From 2005 to 2007, Roberts served in the capacities of assistant coach and interim head coach at Bemidji State University.
Dewhirst's coaching experience also includes a pair of positions with both USA Volleyball High Performance and the USA Junior Olympic Volleyball. She was part of the coaching staffs at the 2012 Girls' Youth Training Camp and the 2013 and 2014 USA Selection National A2 Individual Team Programs, serving as an Associate Head Coach in the High Performance position in 2014. The head coach of the Po'okela Volleyball Club in Lihue, Hawaii, from 1999-02, Dewhirst also guided the Central Missouri Volleyball Club from 2003-05. During the summers of 2002-05, Dewhirst also spent time as an assistant coach for the Kauai High School varsity volleyball team in Lihue.
A 2005 graduate of William Woods University (NAIA) in Fulton, Missouri, Dewhirst was a starting setter and right-side hitter on the Owls' volleyball team from 2001-04. Dewhirst, who served as a co-captain for the Owls, earned First Team All-Conference, Academic All-Conference, Honorable Mention All-Conference, Region V Setter of the Week, AMC Setter of the Week and WWU Student-Athlete of the Month honors during her collegiate career.
Dewhirst earned her master's degree in Sports Studies from Bemidji State in 2007.
