Lambert Signed to Contract Extension

NEWARK, Del. - Volleyball head coach Kimberly Lambert and the University of Delaware agreed upon a contract extension through 2028, Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak announced on Feb, 22, 2024.

"I'm so proUD and grateful to have Kim as our head coach," Rawak said. "The work that she has put in over the past five seasons has been incredible. She earned the role of head coach two years ago and followed that up by earning this extension. I'm excited to see how the program continues to grow under her guidance and into the new era of Delaware volleyball."

Lambert finished her second season as head coach and her seventh season at Delaware, having previously served as an assistant coach from 2017 and associate head coach from 2019. Delaware is coming off one of its finest seasons in program history that saw it reach the NCAA Tournament after going 24-5 and winning the CAA Tournament Championship.

"I am extremely grateful to President Assanis and Chrissi Rawak for their faith and trust in me, my staff, and our vision for the program," Lambert said. "I am thankful for the incredible support we have received from so many people in the department which has helped grow our program and provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes. I am so proud of the progress we have made over the years and am excited for the future of Delaware Volleyball."

Lambert began her tenure as head coach on February 21, 2022. In two seasons, she went 41-16 and led Delaware to two CAA Conference Tournament Championship matches. The 2023 squad won a program record 15-consecutive matches on its way to its fifth CAA title by upending four-time defending champion Towson on its home arena. The Blue Hens ended the season with a winning percentage of .828, the second best in program history. UD's 24 wins were the most since winning 31 in 2007.

In 2022, Delaware exceeded expectations by clinching the No. 3 seed in the CAA Tournament after a 10-6 record in conference play. Delaware won two games in the CAA Tournament before falling in the championship match - 17-11 record was the best since going 21-13 in 2011.

Lambert's 41 wins are the most by a Delaware head coach in their first two seasons in program history. Her .719 winning percentage is the best in program history. During her tenure, Lambert has coached six All-Conference honorees, highlighted by Lani Mason being named CAA Player of the Year in 2022. Mason was also named AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and AVCA All-Region that same season.

As a team in 2023, the Blue Hens finished second in the CAA and 22nd in the nation in aces per set. The team was also ranked second in CAA in blocks per set and hitting percentage, Savannah Seemans and Lani Mason were first and second, respectively, in the CAA in aces per set, and fifth and 27th nationally. In addition to their record 15-match win streak, Delaware set a program record for most road wins in a season with 11.

Off the court, Seemans and Amelia Painter received CSC Academic All-District honors. Delaware has earned at least a 3.15 GPA in every semester of Lambert's tenure, including 3.29 in fall 2023. Four-seven student-athletes have been named to the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll between the Spring 2022, Fall 2022, spring 2023, and fall 2024 semesters.

University of Delaware Athletics

Players Mentioned

Lani Mason

Amelia Painter

Savannah Seemans

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