Lambert Promoted to Head Volleyball Coach at Delaware
Hunter Peters
Courtesy of Delaware Athletic Communications
NEWARK, Del. - Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Chrissi Rawak has named Kimberly Lambert head volleyball coach for the Blue Hens program. Lambert takes over the reins of the program after spending the past five seasons on the Delaware volleyball staff.
"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 Rawak. "I am confident that Kim will be able to take this program to the next level of competing for and winning championships."
Lambert arrived at Delaware as an assistant coach in 2017 and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2019. Lambert has 20 years of coaching experience on her resume, including a stint as a Division I head coach. Having worked on the east and west coasts, as well as at a Power 5 institution, Lambert brings a well-rounded background to the position.
"I am extremely honored and beyond grateful for the opportunity to lead this team that I know so well and love," said Lambert. "I'd like to thank Chrissi, Jen Vining-Smith, and the entire executive team for their belief in me and the work we have already invested into developing this program over the years. I am so proud of where we are culturally as a program, both on and off the court, and am excited for the future with this amazing group."
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.
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.
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.