University of Delaware Athletics
Volleyball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- volleyball@udel.edu
- Phone:
- 302-831-8606
Kimberly Lambert began her tenure as head coach of the University of Delaware volleyball program on February 21, 2022. Lambert recently completed her eighth season with the Blue Hens in Fall 2024, marking her third season as head coach. Previously, she served as associate head coach for three seasons, a role she was promoted to in July 2019.
In 2024, Delaware claimed the CAA Regular Season Championship with a 15-3 record—the fifth regular-season title in program history—and achieved a 20-7 overall record, despite graduating six players from the 2023 CAA Tournament Championship team. The team set numerous records and earned several accolades, including Lily Rogers being named CAA Setter of the Year. Lambert also reached her 50th career win as Delaware’s head coach faster than anyone in program history, achieving the milestone in just 70 games, surpassing Delaware Hall of Famer Barbara Viera, who reached 50 wins in 76 games. UD set a program record for most consecutive set victories with 18 from Nov. 2-16, and tied its conference wins program record at 15. Its .741 winning percentage this season ranks as the sixth-best in program history. It was also only the fourth time in program history that Delaware achieved back-to-back seasons with at least a .700 winning percentage (previously in 2009–2010, 2006–2007, and 1976–1977).The Blue Hens won at least 20 games in a season for the second-straight year. It's the first time Delaware has won at least 20 matches in two-straight years since doing so in three straight seasons from 2009-2011. Additionally, Delaware became just the ninth team in CAA history to reach at least three consecutive CAA Championship matches, joining Towson (2019-2023), James Madison (2016-2019, 1985-1987), Charleston (2013-2015), Delaware (2010-2012), George Mason (2000-2003, 1992-1997), and William & Mary (1984-1991). Rogers and Kirah Johnson were named First-Team All-Conference, and Anna Logan Gillens was a Second-Team selection - the first Delaware player in their true sophomore season or earlier to earn All-Conference honors since Rogers' Second-Team recognition in Spring 2021, and the first in a full season since Maria Bellinger in 2017. This was also the first time since 2011 Delaware has had two players as CAA First-Team selections. UD finished second in the CAA in hitting percentage (.238) and fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.174). Their .174 opponent hitting percentage was 35th in NCAA. Academically, Delaware excelled as well, with Savannah Seemans, Rogers, Johnson, and Cadence Nguyen earning CSC Academic All-District recognition.
Lambert's second year was one of the most successful seasons in Blue Hens history. Delaware made the NCAA Tournament after winning their fifth CAA Conference Tournament Championship by defeating Towson on their home court. Along the way, Delaware won 15 consecutive matches, the longest win streak in program history. Delaware also won a program record 11 road matches.Â
Delaware’s season began with a strong 7-1 non-conference record, including tournament victories at the Blue Hen Invitational and Roadrunner Classic. The team also defeated Towson on Sept. 22, their first win against the Tigers since 2016. A reverse sweep over Charleston in October kicked off the 15-match win streak, during which Delaware also achieved a 14-set win streak and two additional reverse sweeps against Hofstra and UNCW, and finished October 9-0 and 27-8 in sets overall. Four more wins to start November put Delaware's CAA record 15-3, earning the second seed in the conference tournament. After defeating Campbell in four sets, Delaware defeated Towson in four to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament, and took on No. 8 seed Missouri in Lincoln, Neb. Lani Mason was named First-Team All-CAA, Ezgi Basaranlar and Kirah Johnson were Second-Team All-CAA, and Gha'Naye Whitfield-Moss was named CAA All-Rookie. Delaware's three All-Conference honorees are their most since 2011. Lambert won 41 games in her first two seasons, the most by a Delaware head coach. The 24 wins in 2023 were the most since winning 26 in 2010 and their .828 winning percentage was the second best in program history (.861 in 2007). Nationally, Delaware finished 22nd in aces per set (1.86), 37th in hitting percentage (.257), and 20th in winning percentage (.828). Savannah Seemans finished nationally fifth in aces per set (0.58) and total aces (64), Mason finished 27th in aces per set (0.46) and total aces (51).Â
In her first year as head coach, Lambert’s team had a 17-11 record and went 10-6 mark in conference play, 6-4 in the friendly confines of Bob Carpenter Center, 7-6 mark from Newark, and 4-1 on neutral grounds. In the home opener on August 31, the Blue Hens claimed the straight-set victory over George Washington, Lambert’s first victory at the helm of the program. After starting 1-4 on the young season, Delaware turned it around on Sept. 9 at the Winthrop Tournament. The Blue Hens put together an incredible run that showcased a nine-match winning streak from Sept. 9 through Oct. 3, winning 27 of 31 sets played, including 12-straight. The Blue Hens played in 10 five-set thrillers and finished with a 6-4 record. After being projected to finish fourth in CAA Standings, Delaware exceeded expectations, clinched a CAA Tournament berth against UNCW (Oct. 29) and secured the third seed heading into the tournament. The Blue Hens advanced to its first CAA title match since 2016 after capturing back-to-back five-set thrilling victories over Charleston and William & Mary, respectively.Â
Lambert guided a spectacular season from AVCA All-American honorable mention, AVCA East All-Region, ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, CAA Player of the Year, First-Team All-Conference and All-Tournament selection Lani Mason. Mason is the third player in Delaware program history to collect the AVCA All-America recognition, eighth Blue Hen to earn a spot on the AVCA All-Region team and the first one to be recognized since the 2019 season. She is also the Blue Hens' second CAA Player of the Year since 2007. Ezgi Basaranlar was also honored as a CAA Second-Team selection for the second-straight year and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.
As associate head coach, Lambert has helped coach the Blue Hens to two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament appearances in two out of the last three seasons, including a semifinal showing in 2021. Delaware finished the 2021 season with a 15-13 overall record and a .500 mark in conference play. The Blue Hens also had three players earn all-conference honors in 2021.
Prior to Delaware, Lambert served as the assistant coach at North Carolina State and one season as the director of operations from 2013-16. North Carolina State won 20 matches in her final fall, posted a school-record 13 Atlantic Coast Conference victories, and notched the first top 10 win in program history with a victory at 10th-ranked Florida State. As an assistant coach Lambert worked with the Wolfpack outside hitters and passers, while recruiting the West Coast. Under her tutelage, Dariyan Hopper finished the 2014 season ranked among the top 10 in the ACC in kills.
Lambert spent four seasons as the top assistant coach at Marshall from 2009-12. While with the Herd, helped guide Marshall to a 22-9 record in 2009.Â
Lambert served three seasons as the head coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi from 2006-08, where she was one of the youngest head coaches in Division I. She coached the 2006 Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year in Christie Feliz, who ended her career as the school's leader in kills per set.
Lambert also served as the top assistant at UTEP from 2004-05, where she was the Miners' recruiting coordinator, defensive coordinator and outside hitters coach. She was the head coach at Caldwell (Texas) High School in 2003, when she led the Lady Hornets to the 3A State semifinals. She was named the District 18-3A Coach of the Year and the Brazos Valley Area Coach of the Year.
Lambert began her coaching career in 2002 as an assistant coach at Rice. A native of Sugar Land, Texas, Lambert played collegiately at Texas A&M-Kingsville and earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology in 2001. She was inducted into the university's athletics hall of fame in 2022. As a student-athlete, she earned All-Lone Star Conference honors in 1997, 1998, 1999 and sits third in career kills, fifth in season kills, third in career total attacks, eighth in season total attacks, second in single match total attacks, ninth in career kills per set, second in career service aces, fourth in career digs per set, first in season digs per set, fifth in match service aces, first in career digs, first in season digs, second in match block solos, second in career points, and eighth in season points.
"I am incredibly excited to have Kim as our next Head Volleyball Coach, she was instrumental in the growth and development of our student-athletes and the program both on and off the court the last five years," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Chrissi Rawak. "I am confident that Kim will be able to take this program to the next level of competing for and winning championships.
Lambert and her husband JP, reside in Newark.
What They're Saying…
"I had the opportunity to work with Kim at NC State, and saw firsthand her ability to teach and motivate our student athletes. Kim has always demonstrated a commitment to preparing students for success in all aspects of their lives. She is extremely organized and laser focused on what it takes to win. Kim is well deserving of this opportunity."Â - Sherard Clinkscales, Indiana State Director of Athletics
"What a great hire by Delaware. I've known Kim for a long time and it's so awesome seeing her back leading a program. Kim's energy and passion for volleyball is contagious. She's going to continue building what she has had a hand in already and I see big things coming for Delaware Volleyball." -Â Sean Huiet, Texas State Head Volleyball Coach
"I am thrilled for Kimberly and the Delaware volleyball program. With her experience as a long time assistant and head coach, as well as her rapport with the team, she is the perfect fit. I had the pleasure of working with Kim for five seasons and she showed just how great of a coach and person she truly is. She has a tremendous passion for the sport of volleyball. I can't wait to see the success she will have."Â - Sara Matthews, Former Delaware Head Volleyball Coach, Current Notre Dame Associate Head CoachÂ
THE KIMBERLY LAMBERT FILE
Born: June 30, 1978
Hometown: Sugarland, Texas
Playing Career: 1997-2000, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Degree: Texas A&M-Kingsville '01
Coaching Timeline
2002 - Rice University (Assistant Coach)
2003 - Caldwell (Texas) High School (Head Coach)
2004-05 - UTEP (Assistant Coach)
2006-08 - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Head Coach)
2009-12 - Marshall University (Assistant Coach)
2013-16 - North Carolina State University (Assistant Coach/Director of Operations)
2017-18Â - University of Delaware (Assistant Coach)
2019-2022 - University of Delaware (Associate Head Coach)
2022-Present - University of Delaware (Head Coach)
