ELLENSBURG – Lauren Herseth, associate head volleyball coach for Central Washington University, has been named the next head coach of the Wildcats following the transition of current head coach Mario Andaya into the Deputy Athletics Director position, CWU director of Athletics Dennis Francois announced Monday. 

“I am honored to be stepping into this new role, with an extremely fun and talented roster,” said Herseth. “I can’t thank Dennis and Mario enough for investing in and preparing me for this moment. I love this program and I am committed to carrying on the legacy of CWU volleyball.” 

Herseth's collegiate volleyball career began at Central, competing for the Wildcats from 2011-2014. During her four-year playing career, Herseth helped the program reach three NCAA appearances and finished ranked in the top ten in program history for both sets and matches played. A team captain, she was also a three-time GNAC All-Academic selection while majoring in Physical Education and School Health. Herseth was heavily involved in CWU Athletics, serving three years as SAAC President, and also competed on the Wildcats' women's basketball team during the 2013-2014 season.

After graduating, Herseth began her teaching and coaching career in Olympia. She joined the Saint Martin's University volleyball staff from 2016-2018, helping guide the Saints to their winningest season in program history in 2017. Her tenure also produced three All-Conference selections — Becky Mitchell (2017), as well as Megan Vernoy and Rachel Gondrezick (2018) — the first time SMU had multiple All-Conference honorees in a single season. 

Following her time at SMU, Herseth returned to her high school alma mater, Olympia High School, in 2019, assisting longtime head coach Laurie Creighton in her 41st season with the Bears. 

In February 2020, Herseth resigned from teaching to return to her collegiate alma mater, joining the CWU coaching staff. Since her arrival, the Wildcats have reached the NCAA West Regionals every year, including back-to-back regional semifinal appearances in 2021 and 2022. After the 2023 season, Herseth was promoted to associate head volleyball coach. 

The 2024 season marked the Wildcats' best campaign since 2005, finishing 18-7 overall and 16-2 in GNAC play, securing the program's first GNAC title in 19 years. CWU advanced to its 12th-straight NCAA Tournament. The 'Cats followed that up this season by going 18-7 overall, with a 14-4 conference record that saw CWU claim its second consecutive title and fourth total, as the Wildcats finished the season in a four-way split for the GNAC regular season title. Central went on to defeat Simon Fraser 3-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before narrowly falling to Fresno Pacific 2-3 in the regional semifinals. 

Herseth is excited to begin the transition into the head coaching role and reflected on her time serving with Andaya for the past six seasons. 

“Coaching alongside Mario has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and our program will continue to do great things because of what he built over the last 30 years,” said Herseth. 

Andaya first joined the CWU volleyball team in 1992 as a student assistant volleyball coach under his predecessor, John Pearson. He worked his way to become the junior varsity coach from 1993 to 1994, while also serving as assistant volleyball coach until the end of the 1995 season. 

In 1996, Andaya was named the head coach of the Wildcats during their penultimate season in the NAIA. 

The Wildcats have produced five 20-win seasons and 18 winning campaigns, including making the NCAA Tournament every year since 2012 under Andaya’s coaching.  

"The experience leading this program was more than I could have ever imagined when I began my coaching career over thirty years ago," Andaya said. "All the people that I have shared this experience with throughout my tenure is what I will cherish the most. I want to thank the alumni and supporters of this program for making Wildcat Volleyball such a wonderful family to be a part of. I am so excited for Lauren to step in as the new leader of this program and for the new era of CWU Volleyball.” 

Herseth and Andaya will begin their new positions effectively Dec. 16. 

    CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya cuts down the net at the end of this season. Andaya will be taking over as the next Deputy Athletics Director for CWU.