University of Connecticut Athletics
Ellen Herman-Kimball Formally Named Head Volleyball Coach
10/21/2019 1:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Herman-Kimball Had Been Serving as Interim Head Coach Since February
STORRS, Conn. - Ellen Herman-Kimball has been formally named head coach of the UConn volleyball program after serving as the interim head coach since February 28, 2019. Prior to her time as the interim head coach, Kimball served as an assistant coach for the Huskies for five seasons.  Â
"I am completely thrilled and grateful that I am able to continue to lead this group of young women and represent a phenomenal institution," Herman-Kimball said. Â "I'd like to thank David Benedict and the rest of the administration for their support and trust in what we are doing to put UConn volleyball on the map. I'm looking forward to the future of this program."
Ellen Kimball completed the fifth season of her second stint with the Huskies in 2018, re-joining UConn in 2014 after also serving as an assistant in 2011. Kimball joined former head coach Kris Grunwald's staff after playing professionally in Europe following a standout career at Ohio University.
"I am happy to be able to formally name Ellen as our head volleyball coach," director of athletics David Benedict said. "Ellen has embraced this opportunity and excelled as the leader of our volleyball program for the last eight months.  She has continued to be a positive influence in the lives of our student-athletes and I look forward to her continued success in the future."  Â
The Toledo, Ohio native most recently played professionally with Sagres NUC, one of the top teams in the LNA, the top professional league in Switzerland. During the 2011-2012 season, she was match MVP three times, and helped the out of Neuchatel, Switzerland club finish second in the league. Sagres also reached the Swiss Cup final and the quarterfinals of the CEV Challenge Cup, a European-wide Championship. Returning to Neuchatel the following season, she was awarded match MVP five times and the team finished third place in the LNA.
In addition to her coaching duties at UConn, Kimball also serves as the Director of the Connecticut Volleyball Institute.Â
In 2010, she competed for VT Aurubis Hamburg, a member of Germany's 14-team premier league, the Bundesliga. During her brief stint in Germany, she received MVP honors during two matches.
Prior to her professional career, Kimball trained with the U.S. National Team during the summer of 2009 and competed with the U.S. National Team on their Tour of China during February of 2010. She also competed with the U.S. A2 Team, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the Adult Open Championship in 2008.
Kimball, a two-time All-American, led the Bobcats to four successful seasons during her collegiate career, including three Mid American Conference regular season championships, three MAC tournament championships and four NCAA tournament berths. She was named the MAC Player of the Year as a junior and senior and also earned MAC Freshman of the Year accolades during her rookie campaign. The four-time first team All-MAC selection left Ohio University as the OU and MAC all-time leader in kills, as well as OU's all-time leader in points and attacks.
Kimball, who earned Academic All-MAC honors three times during her collegiate career, graduated with a Bachelor of Health Administration from Ohio University in June 2010. She resides in Ellington with wife Amanda and their two daughters, Ella and Josephine.
