Lainey Stephenson - Volleyball Coach - Xavier University Athletics

Lainey Stephenson

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
stephensonl4@xavier.edu
Phone:
513.745.3198

Lainey Stephenson was hired as the Xavier volleyball assistant coach in the spring of 2024. Prior to Xavier, Stephenson spent time as an Assistant Coach at Eastern Michigan, a Graduate Assistant at Wright State, and spent five years as a significant contributor on the Wright State roster.

During her time at Eastern Michigan, Stephenson coached one student-athlete to All-MAC honors and led the program to a second-place finish in digs per set in the MAC (16.06). She assisted with program operations, led recruiting options, and worked with athletes in group and one-on-one settings.

Prior to Eastern Michigan, Stephenson served as the Wright State volleyball graduate assistant where she assisted the offensive coordinator, facilitated scouting sessions, and planned and executed practices. She also spent a spell as an administrative assistant in the Wright State Athletic Department during the 2021-22 academic year where she assisted the Athletic Director, Bob Grant, and his support staff in a multitude of capacities. She handled administrative tasks for the department, worked alongside donors and sponsors, and spent time working events in ticketing, marketing, and game operations.

Stephenson was paramount to the success of the Wright State volleyball program, before her graduate assistantship, as a setter for the Raiders. The former two-time Horizon League Setter of the Year led the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2019, 2020, 2022), two Horizon League Tournament Championships (2020, 2022), and three Horizon League Regular Season Championships (2019, 2020, 2022). Stephenson was a three-time All-Horizon League First Team selection, boasted the second highest number of career assists (4,804) in Wright State volleyball history, and collected the third highest number of career digs (1,549) in the program's history. She led the program to many "firsts" - their first Setter of the Year award, their first ever NCAA Tournament First Round win, and their first Horizon League Tournament Championship title. She finished her playing career with 4,804 assists, 1,549 digs, 432 kills, 235 total blocks, and 87 service aces.

Since 2014, Stephenson has served as a NKYVC club coach, working primarily with the 12-1's team she led to a top finish in the country in 2023. She led boot camps and summer camps for the organization while planning and facilitating practices in group and one-on-one settings.

The Park Hills, Kentucky native holds a bachelor's degree in organized leadership ('22) and a master's degree in physical education with a concentration in sport management ('23) from Wright State.

HISTORY