Lauren “Lo” Herseth embarks on her 6th season with the Wildcats in 2025. Herseth has assisted the Wildcats in reaching the NCAA West Regionals every year since joining the staff, including their return to the semifinals in 2021 & 2022.
The 2024 season saw the Wildcats have their best season since 2005–going 18-7 overall, while going 16-2 in the conference. The season was highlighted early on with strong victories over San Francisco State, and Cal Poly Pomona–who both finished the season in the top ten of the AVCA Division II National Poll. The 'Cats then opened conference play with a seven-game winning streak. Their two losses during the season were to Simon Fraser on Oct. 17, and Seattle Pacific on Oct. 24. Central shook off the losses and hit another streak–winning eight straight games to close the season to claim its first GNAC title in 19 years. Central then made their 12th-straight tournament appearance as the fifth-seed but fell in the opening round to the fourth-seeded Point Loma in a nail-biting five-set match.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Herseth was promoted as the Associate Head Volleyball Coach.
A former Wildcat, Herseth competed for the program in 2011-2014 and contributed to three NCAA appearances. She finished her career ranked in the program history’s top ten for both sets and matches played. Herseth was a team captain and a three-time GNAC All-Academic member while majoring in Physical Education and School Health.
Herseth also participated on the Women’s Basketball team in the 2013-2014 season. She was very involved with athletics and served as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President for three years.
After graduation, Herseth began her teaching and coaching career in Olympia, WA.
She assisted the Saint Martin’s University Volleyball program from 2016-2018. During her time at SMU, the Saints earned their winningest season in program history (2017) and landed three players on the All-Conference list (Becky Mitchell 2017; Megan Vernoy and Rachel Gondrezick 2018). The two All-Conference players in 2018 marks another first for the Saints - the first time SMU had multiple receive conference honors in a single season.
After assisting the Saints, Herseth returned to her roots at Olympia High School. She assisted Laurie Creighton in her 41st year as head coach for the Bears in 2019.
Herseth resigned from her teaching position in February of 2020 to join the Wildcat coaching staff.
Started at CWU:
February 2020
Experience:
2024-pres.: Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA) -- Associate Head Volleyball Coach
2020-2023: Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA) -- Assistant Volleyball Coach
2019: Olympia High School (Olympia, WA) – Assistant Volleyball Coach
2016-2018: Saint Martin’s University (Lacey, WA) -- Assistant Volleyball Coach
Education:
Central Washington University, 2019 -- M.S. Athletic Administration
Central Washington University, 2015 -- B.S. Physical Education & School Health
Olympia High School (WA), 2011
Hometown:
Olympia, Wash.
Updated 04/30/24
