Herlocker Promoted To Associate Head Field Hockey Coach

MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State Head Field Hockey Coach Stephanie Bernthal, who is now entering her third season at the helm of the Cardinals, has announced that Assistant Coach Chelsea Herlocker (formerly Davies) has been elevated to the title of Associate Head Coach.

"I am thrilled for Chelsea to receive this recognition. Chelsea joined me at Ball State shortly after I arrived here," Bernthal said. "She has labored side-by-side with me ever since and is the backbone of our program. I know that the student-athletes will agree that the massive transformation within BSUFH is largely due Chelsea's unmatched daily investment in the program. She has such respect from our student-athletes and the field hockey community."

Herlocker recently finished her second year at Ball State, a year that saw the team make huge strides toward their goal of winning the Mid-American Conference championship. Herlocker's work with the team through film study has paid dividends going into the 2020 season.

"Chelsea spends countless hours meeting one-on-one for film review," Bernthal said. "She has a way of teaching and connecting with each young woman that maximizes their capabilities. She truly has a gift for drawing the best out of our Ball State Cardinals."

This has translated into some of the best defensive numbers for Ball State in years. The Cardinals registered four shutouts last season, the most by a Ball State team since 2004. Ball State fell just out of reach of a MAC title, losing nail-biters to the co-champions of the conference, Miami and Kent State. The Miami game ended in heartbreaking fashion (1-0 in OT), and Ball State fell 1-0 to Kent State as the Golden Flashes escaped a barrage of second half Ball State offense that just missed finding the back of the net. Bernthal credits much of the team's transformation to Herlocker.

"Upon arriving at Ball State, there were two areas we identified right away that could transform our squad, our fitness, and our midfield play," Bernthal said. "If you know Chelsea, you know that she was an incredibly talented and smooth midfielder. She has imparted technical tools and wisdom that have made our midfield fierce. We wouldn't be able to play our aggressive style without a high level of team fitness, and Chelsea has worked tirelessly with our Strength and Conditioning staff in this area. She spends tremendous daily time with our fitness analytics for each player. The fact that every person on our team has achieved new personal bests in fitness over their career is a testament to her."

Herlocker has played a pivotal role in recruiting, a push Bernthal emphasized upon arriving at Ball State. Herlocker has helped secure a 2019 recruiting class of nine, and a 2020 recruiting class of 10 student-athletes. These young women have hailed from eight different states, ranging from coast to coast, and four different countries.

"She is a tireless recruiter and a big reason why young ladies have chosen Ball State," Bernthal said. "When you meet Chelsea you truly get a feeling of family, which is the foundation of our program."

Herlocker has also helped the Cardinals achieve success in the classroom. Ball State had nine representatives on the 2019 Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team and 16 on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad. Additionally, freshman Caitlyn Grodzicki, junior Jenna McKune and senior Arantxa Rosainz Caloca earned the 2019 Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Division I Scholars of Distinction honor. The 2019-2020 squad registered a fall team GPA of 3.62 and a spring GPA of 3.75, continuing to excel to new heights as a group.

Herlocker's coaching career started with four seasons (2014-18) as an Assistant Coach at her alma mater, the University of Richmond. Her time with the Spiders was highlighted by two Atlantic 10 championship game appearances, one A-10 regular season championship, one A-10 Tournament title and one NCAA Tournament birth. Herlocker was also pivotal in coaching former student-athlete and midfielder Meg Miller to the 2016 U21 PanAm Games roster for Team USA. Miller, who was coached positionally by Herlocker, is currently on the USA Women's Developmental squad and is an assistant coach at Longwood University.

Herlocker's coaching experiences beyond the collegiate game have been far and wide. She has coached at multiple USA Future sites, including a four-year stint hosting Level I trainings at the University of Richmond. Herlocker has regularly served as a Selector for various USAFH Regional Futures Tournaments and perennially been extended the opportunity to coach at the National Futures Tournament. She has coached at the club level for both Panthers United FHC in Virginia and the Edge Field Hockey Club, a former New Jersey club.

Prior to coaching, Herlocker played four years collegiately at the University of Richmond where she served as team captain for two straight years. She earned All-Atlantic 10 honors each year of her career, including three times on the first team. She was also a two-time All-South Region selection and VaSID First Team All-State honoree. The 2010 A-10 Conference Rookie of the Year, Davies later helped the Spiders to a conference championship and NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2011. Aside from her Richmond career, she was also a member of the 2010 USA Field Hockey Junior National Team and high-performance training sites from 2009-2012.

For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State field hockey team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH.

Herlocker Promoted To Associate Head Field Hockey Coach

Players Mentioned

Caitlyn Grodzicki

Jenna McKune

Arantxa Rosainz Caloca

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