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University of North Carolina Athletics
Ferguson Joins Carolina Volleyball Coaching Staff
March 14, 2023 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina volleyball head coach Mike Schall is pleased to announce the addition of assistant coach Rachel Ferguson to the Tar Heels' coaching staff.
"Rachel brings a wealth of experience and a wide range of skills to the Carolina volleyball program," Schall said.
"She's proven to be a coach who is committed to learning. She's a high character person who will impact the players and staff in a positive way. She has been involved in all aspects of collegiate coaching including recruiting on a national level, video breakdown for scouting and match preparation and developing offensive systems that maximize the team's chances for success. While Rachel's skills and abilities as a coach are significant, I'm most excited to see Rachel connect with our current team and future Tar Heels."
Ferguson arrives in Chapel Hill after spending the last four seasons at Lipscomb in Nashville. She spent her first three seasons as an assistant before being promoted to associate head coach in 2022. During her time with the Bison, she helped lead them to a 47-29 overall record and a 33-11 record in the ASUN Conference. In the spring of 2021, she helped coach Lipscomb to its seventh ASUN title and the program's eighth NCAA Tournament appearance.
As the team's recruiting coordinator, she also helped bring in one of the top recruiting classes in program history in 2020. The class was recognized by PrepVolleyball.com with a Highest Honorable Mention, making it one of the top 60 recruiting classes in the nation across Division I teams.
Ferguson was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in their 2021 Thirty Under 30 Award winners. The award honors up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport.
"I couldn't be more excited and grateful to be joining the Carolina volleyball program," Ferguson said. "I'd like to thank the UNC athletic department and Mike for providing this opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious university and athletic program. The vision Mike has for the program, paired with the support from those surrounding it, are unparalleled and will provide our current and future student-athletes with a world-class experience. I can't wait to join Mike, our staff and this group of talented young women."
Her previous stops include a season at Indiana as the volunteer assistant coach, working as the technical coordinator for the USA Volleyball's Collegiate National Team, serving as the director of operations at Grand Canyon University and as an assistant at North Carolina Central University and the University of Dubuque.
Ferguson was a four-year letter winner at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, where she recorded 2,551 assists as a setter. She helped lead the Student Princes to three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season championships, one OAC Tournament Championship and four consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances while posting a career record of 111-35.
"Rachel brings a wealth of experience and a wide range of skills to the Carolina volleyball program," Schall said.
"She's proven to be a coach who is committed to learning. She's a high character person who will impact the players and staff in a positive way. She has been involved in all aspects of collegiate coaching including recruiting on a national level, video breakdown for scouting and match preparation and developing offensive systems that maximize the team's chances for success. While Rachel's skills and abilities as a coach are significant, I'm most excited to see Rachel connect with our current team and future Tar Heels."
Ferguson arrives in Chapel Hill after spending the last four seasons at Lipscomb in Nashville. She spent her first three seasons as an assistant before being promoted to associate head coach in 2022. During her time with the Bison, she helped lead them to a 47-29 overall record and a 33-11 record in the ASUN Conference. In the spring of 2021, she helped coach Lipscomb to its seventh ASUN title and the program's eighth NCAA Tournament appearance.
As the team's recruiting coordinator, she also helped bring in one of the top recruiting classes in program history in 2020. The class was recognized by PrepVolleyball.com with a Highest Honorable Mention, making it one of the top 60 recruiting classes in the nation across Division I teams.
Ferguson was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in their 2021 Thirty Under 30 Award winners. The award honors up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport.
"I couldn't be more excited and grateful to be joining the Carolina volleyball program," Ferguson said. "I'd like to thank the UNC athletic department and Mike for providing this opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious university and athletic program. The vision Mike has for the program, paired with the support from those surrounding it, are unparalleled and will provide our current and future student-athletes with a world-class experience. I can't wait to join Mike, our staff and this group of talented young women."
Her previous stops include a season at Indiana as the volunteer assistant coach, working as the technical coordinator for the USA Volleyball's Collegiate National Team, serving as the director of operations at Grand Canyon University and as an assistant at North Carolina Central University and the University of Dubuque.
Ferguson was a four-year letter winner at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, where she recorded 2,551 assists as a setter. She helped lead the Student Princes to three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season championships, one OAC Tournament Championship and four consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances while posting a career record of 111-35.
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