(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Women's Basketball has added to its coaching staff ahead of the 2023-24 season, with Head Coach Charity Elliott announcing the hiring of Abigail Leaupepe-Tele as an assistant coach, effective immediately.
 
"We are so excited to welcome Abigail to The Point," Elliott said. "She brings tremendous playing and coaching experience with her and a passion and enthusiasm that is contagious.
 
"She is a true people person and will connect quickly with our players and on the recruiting trail. She has a passion for player development both on and off the floor."
 
Leaupepe-Tele previously coached for three seasons at the NCAA Division II level at Texas A&M-Commerce, where she played basketball and competed in track & field as a thrower. While on the coaching staff, she served in a variety of roles such as camp director, travel coordinator, fundraiser, academic counselor and position coach.
 
On the basketball court, she averaged 7.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game over her final two college seasons, including career-highs of 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as a senior.
 
As a thrower, she won the discus title at the Lone Star Conference Championships in 2012 with a career-best throw of 45.18 meters.
 
"She was a great post player and I'm excited for what she's going to bring to our post player development," Elliott said. "More than anything, Abigail is a natural fit into the PLNU community and I can't wait to see how she impacts our players and this program."
 
After three seasons of coaching at her alma-mater, Leaupepe-Tele pursued a career in property management and real estate for a few years before moving back to her hometown of San Diego and spending the past season as the head coach for the JV team at Patrick Henry HS.
 
"I am extremely blessed with the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level," Leaupepe-Tele said. "Not too many people get the opportunity to get back into college coaching but I am very confident in my ability to do so and am excited to learn and grow under Head Coach Charity Elliott.
 
"I'm extremely excited to help the program grow and continue to create a winning culture."
 
Point Loma is coming off a second-straight trip to the PacWest Tournament semifinals and finished last season with a 16-14 overall record.