Natalie Thomas Named NDSU Assistant Volleyball Coach

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University interim head volleyball coach Jennifer Lopez has announced Natalie Thomas will join the staff as an assistant coach.

“I am very excited to welcome Natalie into our volleyball program here at North Dakota State,” said Lopez. The Bison are scheduled to open practice Aug. 7 in preparation for the Aug. 25 opener against Boise State at the Arizona State Sun Devils Volleyball Classic.

“Her enthusiasm, drive, and passion for the game I know will have a tremendous impact on our program and the culture we want to continue to build. She has a great sense of what NDSU is about and her ties to the Midwest make her a great fit for our program.”

Thomas was a volunteer assistant at the University of North Dakota in 2016 and spent the past six months as an assistant coach at the University of North Texas. Thomas’ primary role at UND was assisting with the defensive system. The Fighting Hawks advanced to the NCAA tournament after winning the Big Sky regular season and postseason championships.

Prior to UND and North Texas, she spent three years at Minnesota State University Moorhead (two as graduate assistant, one as student assistant), where she worked primarily with setters and the offensive system. In 2015, while at MSUM, she was named a recipient of the 2015 Minority Award scholarship to attend the American Volleyball Coaches Association's annual convention.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to join Coach Lopez, the volleyball program and Bison Athletics,” said Thomas.

“I’m thrilled to be back coaching in the Fargo-Moorhead area and I am looking forward to a great competitive season. I can’t wait to feel the atmosphere come game day in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.”

A native of Champlin, Minn., Thomas played at the University of Minnesota, Morris, where she amassed 2,696 assists, third most in program history, was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior and earned Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Setter of the Week honors on three different occasions.

Thomas graduated from MSUM in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education non-teaching, with a strength and conditioning minor and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, with a coaching minor. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education from MSUM in 2016.

North Dakota State finished the 2016 season with a 14-18 record including 11-5 in the Summit League. The Bison won eight of their final 11 matches before falling to South Dakota in the league tournament semifinals. NDSU returns seven players and four starters including Summit League Defensive Player of the Year Mikaela Purnell, all-freshman team outside hitter Alex Erickson, along with setter Brianna Rasmusson and middle blocker Jessica Jorgensen.