HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) is excited to welcome Kelly Doherty to the Oilers as their girls’ water polo head coach.

Doherty steps into the role of head coach with the Oilers after previously assisting their girls’ varsity team, helping lead them to a CIF-SS Division 1 first-round appearance in 2022 and a Sunset League Championship in 2020. Beginning her coaching career in 2019 at the Huntington Beach Water Polo Club, Doherty has also coached at Mater Dei in 2021 as their girls’ varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach, helping the varsity team win the Trinity League Championship. From 2020-2023, Doherty coached a variety of age groups at Vanguard Aquatics, leading the 12u girls’ water polo team to a NJO Championship in 2022, the 14u girls’ water polo team to a second-place finish in the NJO Championship in 2022, and the 16u girls’ to a second-place finish in the NJO Gold Division Championship in 2023. She is currently the Fullerton College women’s water polo assistant coach since 2022, where she helped lead the team to a CCCAA playoff appearance.

As a player, Doherty played NCAA Division 1 women’s water polo at the University of California, Berkeley, before transferring to Fullerton College to continue her athletic career in 2019. She helped lead the women’s program at Fullerton College to their second-ever CCCAA Championship while earning First-Team All-Conference (Orange Empire), First-Team All-State, and First-Team All-American honors.

“I am incredibly grateful to Melissa Vandenbosch and the HBHS aquatics family for trusting me with this opportunity to lead the HBHS girls’ water polo program,” shared Kelly Doherty. “I look forward to working with this incredible group of talented young women and continuing to build a legacy of excellence in and out of the pool with this team.”

HBHS Athletic Director Melissa Vandenbosch added, ”Hiring Kelly Doherty as our new girls' water polo coach at HBHS is an exciting move. Her proven leadership and dedication will elevate our team to new heights, fostering a culture of excellence. We are thrilled to welcome Coach Doherty to Oiler Nation.”

The Huntington Beach Union High School District is looking forward to the continued growth and success of the HBHS girls’ water polo team under the guidance and leadership of Kelly Doherty. Her experience as a player and coach will be a valuable asset to the program for years to come.