Ryan Walthall

Ryan Walthall begins his second season as a volunteer coach in the Husker program. In his role at Nebraska, he assists in team training during practices, video scouting and film breakdown and helps with day-to-day administrative office duties.

A four-year letterwinner at Penn State for Coach Mark Pavlik, Walthall played in 95 matches during his collegiate career. Walthall was a member of four national semifinal squads, helping Penn State to the national championship match in 2006.

As a senior in 2007, he ranked 15th nationally and led Penn State with an average of 2.33 digs per set, as the Nittany Lions went 22-8 and reached the national semifinals. He reached double figures in digs 11 times, including a season best of 16 digs in a win over George Mason.

As a junior, he moved to libero midway through the season and helped PSU to a 21-9 mark and a national runner-up finish. He averaged 2.05 digs per set and had six double-figure dig totals in his final 13 matches. Walthall had a career-high 17 digs in a win over Rutgers-Newark, one shy of the PSU single-match record. He totaled double figures in digs in both of the Nittany Lions’ matches in the NCAA Championships.

Walthall served as a defensive and serving specialist during his first two seasons at Penn State. He totaled 11 service aces as a sophomore and averaged 2.30 assists per set as a freshman, including a career-high 22 against St. Francis.

A native of Irvine, Calif., Walthall attended Woodbridge High School, where he was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection and team MVP as a senior. He was also the Co-MVP of the Southview League as a senior. In addition to his high school experience, he also played club volleyball for the LBC, helping the team to the 2003 Junior Olympic National Championship.

Walthall earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks and tourism management at Penn State in May of 2007.