UMC Volleyball Adds Grefsrud to Coaching Staff

CROOKSTON, Minn.– The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced the addition of Ethan Grefsrud as assistant coach. Grefsrud joins the Golden Eagles after two years as the graduate assistant for Winona State University. Grefsrud helped the Warriors to one of their best seasons in program history as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“We are extremely excited to add Ethan to the Golden Eagle volleyball program,” said Head Coach Sarah Rauen. “His passion for the game of volleyball and determination to make our players and program better will be felt immediately. Ethan is a great coach, a great recruiter and most importantly will be great in making a difference in the lives of our student-athletes. I look forward to working with Ethan and seeing the impact he has on our players, program and community."

Grefsrud was a part of back-to-back 20 wins under Head Coach Joe Getzin at Winona State. He helped Warriors setter McKenna Larsen to an AVCA All-American nod, becoming the first Winona State player to ever earn the honor and only the second ever to earn All-American accolades. Larsen was also named AVCA All-Region. Larsen, along with Taylor Goar and Danielle Rampart were named All-NSIC First Team. In addition, Jamie Cairncross and Lauren Kudronowicz were named to the All-NSIC Second Team. In 2016, the Warriors finished the season with a No. 4 national ranking in the AVCA poll.

His key responsibilities with the Warriors were coordinating travel plans, scouting, recruiting, game day operations, assisting the head coach and practice planning. In addition, he served as summer volleyball camp director at Winona State.

Grefsrud already has a familiarity with Coach Rauen, after working with her at North Dakota State where he was a volunteer assistant coach for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Grefsrud was a decorated men’s club volleyball player at North Dakota State, receiving All-American honors along with helping the Bison to a national title at the NCVF Championships in 2010. He was also an All-Conference libero in the NIVC two years in a row.

He has also been a summer camp coach at North Dakota State, Winona State, University of Wisconsin and the McCutcheon Camp at University of Minnesota. Grefsrud has also gained experience working with various club programs, including Assassins, Shanley and Summit.

A native of Hawley, Minn., Grefsrud earned his undergraduate degree in Sports and Recreation Leadership at North Dakota State University.

He has been pursuing his Master of Sports Management from Winona State University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2017.