Ball State University Athletics
Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman Join Women?s Volleyball Staff
February 12, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Hugh Hernesman, who spent the last three seasons as the head women's volleyball coach at Hardin-Simmons, has been named the top assistant coach for the Ball State women's volleyball team, according to first-year head coach Dave Boos.
In addition, his wife Stephanie Hernesman will join the team as a volunteer assistant coach after spending the last three seasons as the Cowgirls' assistant coach.
“Hugh and Stephanie are a perfect addition to the Ball State Volleyball family,” said Boos. “They are people of character that have a wealth of experience in coaching. Both have been successful at each program they have been a part of, and they will be major contributors to the continued success of Ball State Volleyball.”
In his three seasons as the Cowgirls' head coach, Hugh Hernesman complied a 47-43 overall record, including a 37-21 American Southwest Conference mark. Last season, he guided the program to its first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament appearance by winning the program's first ASC Tournament Championship. The 2006 Cowgirls compiled a 19-15 overall record, including a 14-4 league ledger, which earned Hernesman his second-straight ASC West Division Coach of the Year award.
In 2005, the Cowgirls posted a 19-11 (17-3 ASC) record, won the ASC West Division title for the first time in program history and advanced to the finals of the ASC Tournament.
During his three-year stint with the Cowgirls, Hernesman helped Virginia Aguilar become the first player in program history to earn ASC West Division Player of the Year honors, as she picked up the honor in 2005 and 2006. In addition, Aguilar earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region Honorable Mention status in 2006 and ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team accolades in 2005.
Two of his players - - Taylor McFarland (2005) and Chelsea Buetow (2004) - - have earned ASC West Division Newcomer of the Year awards, while he has also coached his players to three ASC All-Conference awards, seven ASC West Division First Team honors, two ASC West Division Second Team accolades and five ASC West Division Honorable Mention selections.
From 1995-2004, Hernesman spent nine seasons as an assistant coach for NCAA Division III national powerhouse UW-Whitewater. During his time on the Warhawks bench, Hernesman helped guide the program to a 305-45 (.871) record and the 2002 NCAA Division III National Championship, as well as a pair of NCAA Division III Championship runner-up finishes (2000 and 2001) and a third-place showing in 1995.
Hernesman was the position coach for eight AVCA All-Americans (including the 2001 National Player of the Year Allison Erickson), 10 AVCA All-Region honorees and 14 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference selections with UWW.
Hernesman, who earned his master's degrees in health, physical education, recreation and coaching from UW-Whitewater in 2000, was also the head coach of the UWW men's volleyball club team from 1994-2004, including a stint as a player/coach from 1996-1997. He also played for the men's club team from 1991-1994 while working on his bachelor's degree in secondary education which he received in 1995.
“Both Stephanie and I are excited with the opportunity here at Ball State,” said Hernesman. “Growing up in the Midwest, we are well aware of the remarkable volleyball tradition that exists at Ball State, as well as in the Muncie community. I have known Dave for a long time and have a lot of respect for what he has been able to accomplish in his career. He has a great vision for this program and we look forward to working with him.”
Stephanie Hernesman spent the past three seasons (2004-06) as the assistant coach for her husband's Hardin-Simmons squad. As a member of the Cowgirl's staff, her duties included creating and implementing a strength and conditioning program, as well as assisting with recruiting, organizing daily practices and on-court training. She was also responsible for training student managers, game management and organizing team apparel, plus served as the camp coordinator.
The founder and director of the West Texas Heat Volleyball Club in 2004, she was also the head coach for Milwaukee Sting from 2002-04, where her 15-Gold team took second place in the Open Division in 2003. Hernesman was also an assistant coach on the UW-Whitewater staff from 1999-2003.
Prior to her coaching career, Hernesman was a three-time AVCA All-American for the UWW women's volleyball team from 1995-1998. A three-time team Most Valuable Player, she helped guide the Warhawks to three WIAC Conference Championships, as well as four NCAA Division III Tournament Appearances - - including a national semifinal appearance.
Hernesman, who earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in finance from UWW in 2000, was named the Marty Van Steenderen Sportswoman of the Year in 1998.
The couple, who have both been active in the USA Volleyball High Performance program for the North Texas and Badger Regions, have been married for five years and have one son, Austin (1).
