SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Lake Superior State University Athletic Department has hired Zac Rambo as head coach of the women’s volleyball program, as announced by Dr. Dave Diles, Director of Athletics.
“Zachary Rambo distinguished himself throughout the search process for our next Head Volleyball Coach with unmatched vision for our program and a commitment to our university and community,” said Diles. “He provided a compelling plan for recruitment of student-athletes that will fit here academically and excel athletically. In addition, his enthusiasm and student-athlete development theory will help advance Laker volleyball.”
Rambo joins the Lakers after spending the last three years with the Pratt Community College women’s volleyball program in Pratt, Kansas. Rambo served as an assistant coach during the 2018 season and has been the team’s head coach for the last three seasons. During his tenure as head coach, Rambo elevated the team’s national rankings in various statistical categories including blocking, serve receive and aces by over 45 programs. Rambo’s most recent season leading Pratt included 11 wins, which marked the program’s highest win total since the 2018 season. Under Rambo’s guidance, four student-athletes received all-conference honors and the team had a 90% graduation/placement rate. Academically, Rambo’s teams performed very well as 16 players were named NJCAA Academic All-Americans and all three seasons the team was recognized as AVCA All-Academic teams.
“Coming home to Sault Ste. Marie and coaching at Lake Superior State has been a dream of mine,” said Rambo. “I’d like to thank Dr. Diles and the athletic department at LSSU for this great opportunity. I look forward to working with the student-athletes and continuing to build up volleyball in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.”
Prior to Pratt, Rambo spent four seasons as an assistant coach and the director of recruiting for the women’s volleyball program at Friends University in Wichita, Kan. During his time at Friends University, Rambo oversaw over 150 recruits and trained two top-30 blocking teams. Rambo, who was a member of the coaching staff that led multiple All-Americans, also assisted with scheduling and maintaining the team’s budget.
From 2016 to 2019, Rambo served as the head coach of two club programs: the Shockwave Volleyball Academy, a U17 premiere team, and Air Capital Aces, a U18 premiere team. The pair of teams had a 90% placement rate for players into college programs.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Rambo has been consistently involved in the volleyball communities at each of his previous stops. While at Friends University, Rambo was fundamental to the creation of Wichita’s YMCA Sand Volleyball Club Program (2017) and would serve as the program’s lead from 2017 to 2018. In addition, Rambo ran Wichita’s YMCA volleyball summer youth program multiple times from 2016 to 2021.
Before his coaching career began, Rambo joined the United States Air Force and played volleyball for the Al Udeid Armed Forces Team. Rambo was selected to play for the Air Force Team on two separate occasions but was unable to compete as a result of his conflicting active duty service. Rambo served as an Inflight Refueling Specialist for the U.S. Air Force from 2010 through 2016 and completed seven deployments during his military career.
A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Rambo graduated from Friends University in May 2019 with a degree in organizational leadership and transformational change (change management). Rambo currently resides in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
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