WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Catholic volleyball program will welcome Patti Westenberg as its next head coach effective May 12. Westenberg will become Catholic's fourth head coach in the past 30 seasons. 

Westenberg comes to the district with her two most recent coaching stops being in the NJCAA ranks, most recently at Montgomery College, where she has spent the last three seasons as the head coach. During her time as head coach, the Raptors amassed a 59-19 record over the three seasons, culminating in the 2025 season when Westenberg's team finished 23-5 while going a perfect 15-0 in conference, leading to a NJCAA Region 20 championship. She also eclipsed the 100 career wins plateau during the 2025 season and coached 15 NJCAA All-Academic Team members and eight NJCAA All-Region 20 selections during her time with the program. 

"We are excited to welcome Patti to the Cardinal family," said Jaime Walls, Senior Associate Athletic Director. "Patti was authentic and confident during the interview process and her love of volleyball and teaching young adults was apparent the moment she arrived on campus for the interview. Patti has the experience we were looking for, the values that align with the department and University, the skills to build relationships and to continue moving our volleyball program forward. She is an excellent addition to the department."

Prior to Montgomery College, Westenberg coached at Frederick Community College from 2018-2023 and amassed a 41-25 record while going 31-10 in conference play. During her time, she helped guide 13 players to MDJUCO and NJCAA All-Region 20 First Team honors. Westenberg also served as the MDJUCO Volleyball Coaches Association President during her time at FCC. 

"It was evident the second she walked on campus that Patti would be a great fit for our program at Catholic University," said Kevin Robinson, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. "We are so excited to see Patti continue to build on the success she had at her previous institutions and her energy and coaching philosophy will make her a great fit with our student-athletes."

Westenberg has also been a coach and regional director at Metro Volleyball Club of DC since 2017 where she has helped more than 30 athletes reach the collegiate level. She has also had coaching stops at Michigan Elite Volleyball Club and Wayne State University. 

Westenberg began her playing career in college at Macomb Community College for two years before transferring to Oakland University for her final two years. She graduated with a degree in History and eventually earned her master's in Secondary Education. 

Westenberg will inherit a program that has advanced to the semifinals in the Landmark Conference Tournament in each of the last two seasons.