University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Cate Atkins enters her third season as an assistant coach with the Alaska Nanooks volleyball program in 2026-27, returning to the program where she built an accomplished career as a student-athlete. Previously known as Cate Whiting during her playing career, Atkins competed for the Nanooks from 2017-21 before returning to the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2022.

As a setter, Atkins appeared in 122 matches and 445 sets, earning three GNAC First-Team selections and serving as a team captain three times. She finished her playing career with 3,798 assists, the second-most in program history, and 1,177 digs, ranking sixth all-time. Atkins also recorded three of the top 10 single-season assist totals in program history, including 1,084 assists in 2021, the fourth-highest mark in program history. Her .261 career attack percentage ranks seventh among Nanook players.