Field Hockey
Netzler-Gray, Olivia
Olivia Netzler-Gray
- Title:
- Assistant Field Hockey Coach
- Email:
- olivia@gocards.com
- Phone:
- 852-7795
Olivia Netzler-Gray recently completed her third season as an assistant coach for the University of Louisville field hockey team.
Since returning to her alma mater, Netzler-Gray, who played for the Cardinals from 2001 through 2003, has helped UofL to three straight NCAA appearances and a runner-up finish in the 2017 ACC Championship.
Most recently, the Cards finished the 2017 season with a 14-8 overall record after earning their fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance and posting a runner-up finish in the ACC championship. UofL also registered a 4-2 record in ACC play - the most wins since joining the conference in 2014 - and finished tied for second in the regular season standings. Louisville was ranked No. 8 in the final coaches poll after being ranked in the top 10 for six weeks.
Individually, Louisville placed a program-record three players: Ayeisha McFerran, Nicole Woods and Taylor Stone on the NFHCA All-America team after garnering five NFHCA All-West Region selections and four All-ACC picks.
In May, 2015, University of Louisville head field hockey coach Justine Sowry announced that former Cardinal standout Olivia Netzler-Gray would return to her alma mater as an assistant coach. Netzler-Gray, a 2014 UofL graduate, was a two-time NFHCA All-Region selection and currently ranks among the program’s top 10 leaders in career goals and points.
"I am excited for the opportunity to be back at Louisville representing Cardinal Field Hockey,” said Netzler-Gray upon her hiring. “I have an immense amount of respect for Justine and am very fortunate to be able to contribute to the team’s success alongside her and Lucas Piccioli. Louisville field hockey has been growing in leaps and bounds. I am thrilled to be back at Trager Stadium working with the student-athletes and athletic department to continue to strive for excellence as it embarks on its second year in the ACC."
In her first season coaching at her alma mater, Netzler-Gray helped guide the Cardinals to a 13-7 overall record and an NCAA appearance. In 2015, Louisville spent seven weeks ranked among the top 10 in National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association (NFHCA) poll, reaching as high as No. 8. Additionally, Louisville had two All-America selections, five NFHCA All-West Region picks and two All-ACC team members.
The 2016 Cardinals registered a 15-6 overall record and their third-straight NCAA appearance. UofL also posted 3-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to finish in a four-way tie for third. Louisville was ranked ninth in the final NFHCA Coaches' poll after spending 10 weeks in the top 10, reaching as high as No. 6.
Along with the season's team accomplishments, a program-best six players earned NFHCA All-West Region honors while a school-record five were named to the All-ACC teams. Additionally, for the second straight season, two Cardinals (Erin McCrudden and Ayeisha McFerran) were named NFHCA All-Americans.
Netzler-Gray joined Sowry’s staff from Northeastern University where she spent the 2014 season as the associate head coach. In that capacity, she helped guide the Huskies to one of the best seasons in program history, which included a 14-5 record and the regular-season Colonial Athletic Association title. The team also competed in its fifth straight CAA tournament and at one point in the season held an 11-game win streak. During Netzler-Gray’s season at Northeastern, five Huskies were named to All-CAA teams and one player earned NFHCA All-America Second Team honors.
Prior to her time at Northeastern, Netzler-Gray served as the head coach at Robert Morris University from 2007 to 2013. In her final season with the Colonials, she led the team to an 11-8 record and its first playoff appearance in team history. Four players received All-Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference honors in 2013, while 13 members of the team earned All-MAAC Academic recognition.
Before her seven seasons at Robert Morris, Netzler-Gray served as the associate director of the Field Hockey Club of Kentucky in Louisville from 2001-06. In 2005-06, she was also the assistant athletic director at St. Francis High School, where she also served as the head field hockey and track and field coach.
The Sydney, Australia native was a three-year letterwinner at Louisville from 2001-03. A two-time NFHCA Regional selection, Netzler-Gray helped the Cardinals post an overall record of 42-23 in her three seasons and was a part of the 2001 squad that earned the first national ranking in program history. She ranks in the top 10 in both goals (32) and points (91) and led the team in points in the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sport administration from Louisville in 2004.
Since returning to her alma mater, Netzler-Gray, who played for the Cardinals from 2001 through 2003, has helped UofL to three straight NCAA appearances and a runner-up finish in the 2017 ACC Championship.
Most recently, the Cards finished the 2017 season with a 14-8 overall record after earning their fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance and posting a runner-up finish in the ACC championship. UofL also registered a 4-2 record in ACC play - the most wins since joining the conference in 2014 - and finished tied for second in the regular season standings. Louisville was ranked No. 8 in the final coaches poll after being ranked in the top 10 for six weeks.
Individually, Louisville placed a program-record three players: Ayeisha McFerran, Nicole Woods and Taylor Stone on the NFHCA All-America team after garnering five NFHCA All-West Region selections and four All-ACC picks.
In May, 2015, University of Louisville head field hockey coach Justine Sowry announced that former Cardinal standout Olivia Netzler-Gray would return to her alma mater as an assistant coach. Netzler-Gray, a 2014 UofL graduate, was a two-time NFHCA All-Region selection and currently ranks among the program’s top 10 leaders in career goals and points.
"I am excited for the opportunity to be back at Louisville representing Cardinal Field Hockey,” said Netzler-Gray upon her hiring. “I have an immense amount of respect for Justine and am very fortunate to be able to contribute to the team’s success alongside her and Lucas Piccioli. Louisville field hockey has been growing in leaps and bounds. I am thrilled to be back at Trager Stadium working with the student-athletes and athletic department to continue to strive for excellence as it embarks on its second year in the ACC."
In her first season coaching at her alma mater, Netzler-Gray helped guide the Cardinals to a 13-7 overall record and an NCAA appearance. In 2015, Louisville spent seven weeks ranked among the top 10 in National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association (NFHCA) poll, reaching as high as No. 8. Additionally, Louisville had two All-America selections, five NFHCA All-West Region picks and two All-ACC team members.
The 2016 Cardinals registered a 15-6 overall record and their third-straight NCAA appearance. UofL also posted 3-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to finish in a four-way tie for third. Louisville was ranked ninth in the final NFHCA Coaches' poll after spending 10 weeks in the top 10, reaching as high as No. 6.
Along with the season's team accomplishments, a program-best six players earned NFHCA All-West Region honors while a school-record five were named to the All-ACC teams. Additionally, for the second straight season, two Cardinals (Erin McCrudden and Ayeisha McFerran) were named NFHCA All-Americans.
Netzler-Gray joined Sowry’s staff from Northeastern University where she spent the 2014 season as the associate head coach. In that capacity, she helped guide the Huskies to one of the best seasons in program history, which included a 14-5 record and the regular-season Colonial Athletic Association title. The team also competed in its fifth straight CAA tournament and at one point in the season held an 11-game win streak. During Netzler-Gray’s season at Northeastern, five Huskies were named to All-CAA teams and one player earned NFHCA All-America Second Team honors.
Prior to her time at Northeastern, Netzler-Gray served as the head coach at Robert Morris University from 2007 to 2013. In her final season with the Colonials, she led the team to an 11-8 record and its first playoff appearance in team history. Four players received All-Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference honors in 2013, while 13 members of the team earned All-MAAC Academic recognition.
Before her seven seasons at Robert Morris, Netzler-Gray served as the associate director of the Field Hockey Club of Kentucky in Louisville from 2001-06. In 2005-06, she was also the assistant athletic director at St. Francis High School, where she also served as the head field hockey and track and field coach.
The Sydney, Australia native was a three-year letterwinner at Louisville from 2001-03. A two-time NFHCA Regional selection, Netzler-Gray helped the Cardinals post an overall record of 42-23 in her three seasons and was a part of the 2001 squad that earned the first national ranking in program history. She ranks in the top 10 in both goals (32) and points (91) and led the team in points in the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sport administration from Louisville in 2004.
FH: Highlights vs #15 St. Joseph's
Sunday, September 21
FH: Highlights vs. #14 Ohio State
Friday, September 19
FH: Justine Sowry postgame interview vs. Iowa
Sunday, September 14
FH: Justine Sowry postgame interview following the Northwestern game
Saturday, September 13
