Eastern Michigan Athletics
Foeman Tabs Lainey Stephenson as New Assistant Coach
6/5/2023 2:12:00 PM | Volleyball
A former college standout joins the new coaching staff for the upcoming 2023 season
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball program and Head Coach Kevin Foeman announced the hiring of its newest assistant coach, Lainey Stephenson, today, June 5. Stephenson officially began her role with the program earlier this week.
In her new position, she will not only serve as an assistant coach but also the programs recruiting coordinator.
"I am thrilled Lainey is joining our staff," Foeman expressed. "She brings the energy, passion, and confidence we need here as we start our chapter at Eastern Michigan. She is a proven winner, and is very well respected in the volleyball community. I know our girls will feed off of her knowledge and love for the sport, and can't wait to see the impact she makes in our gym and within our recruiting. As good a player as she was, she is an even better person, and i have full confidence in her ability to make an immediate impact".
Prior to accepting the full-time gig, Stephenson served as the graduate assistant at her alma mater, Wright State University, for a short time upon graduating.
A standout on the court, Stephenson was the first player in Wright State volleyball program history to be named the Horizon League's Setter of the Year when she claimed the title in 2020 for the first time before earning it again in 2022. In addition, Stephenson was named to the All-Conference first team three times in her career, earning the distinction first in 2019, then 2020, and 2022, respectively. In 2021, she was placed on the all-conference second team after a season in which she reached over 3,000 career assists along with reaching the 1,000 career digs milestone.
In her final season with the Raiders, she finished her playing stint with 4,804 total assists, good for the No. 2 spot in the Wright State all-time records book, and collected 1,549 career digs, ranking third in Wright State history. In addition to her numerous all-tournament team honors, she was named the Marshall Invitational Most Valuable Player and received the National Strength and Conditioning Association All American Athlete Award.
"I am extremely excited to start my coaching career as an Eagle", said Stephenson. "The coaching staff has the utmost confidence in the team, each other, and our abilities to compete not only this fall but in the seasons ahead. I am so thankful Head Coach Kevin Foeman gave me this amazing opportunity and can't wait to get into the gym with the team."
A key player and five-time floor captain, Stephenson was also committed to serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She was named President of the Horizon League SAAC during the 2020-21 campaign while also representing as Wright State's SAAC President. The following year, Stephenson was promoted to be the Division I SAAC Representative for the Horizon League. In the summer of 2022, she was named Co-Chair of the DI SAAC for the NCAA Social Media.
A two-time graduate of Wright State, Stephenson holds her bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts (2022) and a master's degree in Physical Education with a concentration of Sports Management (2023).
A Park Hills, Ky., native, Stephenson resides in Pittsfield, Mich.
In her new position, she will not only serve as an assistant coach but also the programs recruiting coordinator.
"I am thrilled Lainey is joining our staff," Foeman expressed. "She brings the energy, passion, and confidence we need here as we start our chapter at Eastern Michigan. She is a proven winner, and is very well respected in the volleyball community. I know our girls will feed off of her knowledge and love for the sport, and can't wait to see the impact she makes in our gym and within our recruiting. As good a player as she was, she is an even better person, and i have full confidence in her ability to make an immediate impact".
Prior to accepting the full-time gig, Stephenson served as the graduate assistant at her alma mater, Wright State University, for a short time upon graduating.
A standout on the court, Stephenson was the first player in Wright State volleyball program history to be named the Horizon League's Setter of the Year when she claimed the title in 2020 for the first time before earning it again in 2022. In addition, Stephenson was named to the All-Conference first team three times in her career, earning the distinction first in 2019, then 2020, and 2022, respectively. In 2021, she was placed on the all-conference second team after a season in which she reached over 3,000 career assists along with reaching the 1,000 career digs milestone.
In her final season with the Raiders, she finished her playing stint with 4,804 total assists, good for the No. 2 spot in the Wright State all-time records book, and collected 1,549 career digs, ranking third in Wright State history. In addition to her numerous all-tournament team honors, she was named the Marshall Invitational Most Valuable Player and received the National Strength and Conditioning Association All American Athlete Award.
"I am extremely excited to start my coaching career as an Eagle", said Stephenson. "The coaching staff has the utmost confidence in the team, each other, and our abilities to compete not only this fall but in the seasons ahead. I am so thankful Head Coach Kevin Foeman gave me this amazing opportunity and can't wait to get into the gym with the team."
A key player and five-time floor captain, Stephenson was also committed to serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She was named President of the Horizon League SAAC during the 2020-21 campaign while also representing as Wright State's SAAC President. The following year, Stephenson was promoted to be the Division I SAAC Representative for the Horizon League. In the summer of 2022, she was named Co-Chair of the DI SAAC for the NCAA Social Media.
A two-time graduate of Wright State, Stephenson holds her bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts (2022) and a master's degree in Physical Education with a concentration of Sports Management (2023).
A Park Hills, Ky., native, Stephenson resides in Pittsfield, Mich.
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