Bio

Cherlyn Woods was born and raised in Manhattan Beach. Her love and interest in sports was evident early in her life. Her participation in volleyball and basketball began when she was in the 7th grade and continued on to Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California, where she was voted Most Athletic Senior.. Cherlyn went on to El Camino College with a major in Physical Education and continued competing in volleyball and basketball. She transferred to California State University, Long Beach, in 1971 and was a member of the Womenns Varsity Volleyball Team under the leadership of Coach Ann Heck (fellow Hall of Fame inductee). During the off season she also competed in USVBA Tournaments where she earned the infamous nickname Gabbyy by one of her coaches, Phil Bruder. Those of you who know Cherlyn personally can appreciate her nickname. 

During Cherlynns first year at Long Beach, the womenns volleyball team finished runner up at the National Championship against UCLA in Miami-Dade, Florida. The following year, 1973, they won the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Volleyball (AIAW) National Championship under coach Dixie Grimmett in Provo, Utah. 

Cherlyn moved to Napa, California, and became assistant coach with Rod Sears at Napa Valley College. The following year she became head coach of the Womenns Varsity Volleyball Team at Napa Valley College. Under her leadership, they captured the league championship for that division. The team continued on to the Division II State Championship tournament where they finished in second place to Cabrillo College. 

Cheryl retired from coaching in 1988 and pursued a Nursing Career. She has worked as an RN for the last 22 years. She is presently working for the State of California as Director of Nursing and is facilitating the opening of the California Healthcare Facility in Stockton, California.