Posted: January 29, 2007
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following an extensive search, Lehigh has named Jenny Maurer as its new head volleyball coach. Maurer becomes the 11th coach in school history, as she replaces Amanda Moran, who was at Lehigh for three seasons. “I am so thrilled to be a part of the Lehigh community,” Maurer said on Monday afternoon. “It took very little time to seal the deal for me that Lehigh was the right fit with its academic integrity, the environment, the campus and the wonderful people that work at the university. I can’t wait to meet the team and get to know them, and begin to turn the program in the right direction.”
“Jenny Maurer was extremely impressive during her interview, especially in the eyes of our other head coaches,” Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett explained. “They saw in Jenny the same qualities that had been conveyed by her references—contagious enthusiasm, a real understanding of the kinds of student-athletes Lehigh recruits, a strong knowledge of the game, and an organized and thoughtful plan for achieving success at Lehigh. It was clear to all that were involved in our interview process that Jenny is an excellent teacher and has great passion for the role volleyball can play in developing women.”
Maurer arrives at Lehigh following a highly successful stint as the head coach at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, where she compiled a record of 183-63 in seven seasons. An active clinician, Maurer led St. Joseph’s to the Final Four of the state tournament four times, and her teams were ranked in the top-100 nationally in each of the past four seasons.
A 1999 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Maurer was a two time First-Team All-American during her playing days, as she helped lead the Bears to two National Championships and three Final Fours. She also played on the United States Collegiate National Team in 1999 on an international tour to Belgium and Holland.
Dean Koski, Lehigh’s men’s soccer coach, believes Lehigh has found an outstanding coach in Maurer. “As a member of the search committee, I was extremely pleased to interview so many qualified candidates for the head coaching position. Like any search process, there were many different qualifications to consider and all the coaches and staff that were part of this search were keenly aware of the importance of recommending the best candidate to Joe Sterrett.”
He adds, “After completing all the interviews there was clear consensus amongst the search committee that Jenny Maurer was the best fit for this program, this department and this university. We are excited to welcome her to the Lehigh Athletics family and we have no doubt that she will bring the women's volleyball program back to prominence."
Maurer earned her masters degree from Lindenwood University, and played her collegiate volleyball for Teri Clemens, who is a member of the American Volleyball Hall of Fame. When asked about Maurer, Clemens called her former pupil “the strongest prep coach in the state; a woman with extraordinary leadership qualities, and one that is destined for continued success.”
Lehigh women’s basketball head coach Sue Troyan offers her thoughts on Maurer. “Having served on the search committee with a number of head coaches, we as a coaching staff are very excited about the hiring of Jenny Maurer to lead our volleyball program as its new head coach.” Troyan continues, “She did an outstanding job in the interview process, and brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and passion to the position. She has been highly successful in everything she has done as it relates to volleyball as a player and a coach, and I believe she will bring this same attitude and success to our volleyball program.”
Lehigh returns eight letterwinners for the 2007 season, and is also anticipating bringing in a strong recruiting class.