San Jose, Calif.— After conducting a national search, San José State University has named Trent Kersten the eighth head coach of the San José State women's volleyball program. Marie Tuite, the Spartans director of athletics, made the announcement.
"First, I want to thank Jolene and Aaron Shepardson for guiding our volleyball programs these last seven years. I am excited for Coach Kersten to lead this new era of Spartan Volleyball. Coach Kersten is very student-athlete centered and cares deeply about the overall experience of being a student-athlete. He's an excellent recruiter and he believes in the vision of Spartan Athletics. We share the same goal which is to become more relevant in the Mountain West Conference and elevate the overall competitiveness of our indoor and beach programs. A warm Spartan welcome to Coach Kersten and his fiancée Tara. Let's Go!"
Kersten has spent the past five seasons as a member of the TCU coaching staff where the team played in the postseason four of the past five years. As the Recruiting Coordinator, his 2019 class was ranked fifth in the nation by Volleyball Magazine and sixth in the nation by Prep Volleyball.
"I would like to thank everyone at San José State University for this tremendous opportunity to lead the Spartan Volleyball Program, especially Athletics Director Marie Tuite, David Rasmussen and the advisory committee. They demonstrated professionalism and class through this process. I would also like to thank my mentors who have been instrumental in my life: Jill Kramer, John Speraw, Brad Keller, Andrea Becker and Sue Enquist. Tara, my fiancée, and I are excited to be back in our home state in a community that we know and love.
"I am fired up to work with our current Spartan student-athletes and create the conditions that allow each individual to thrive while stretching the limitations of what we can accomplish as a team."
Kersten played three seasons at UCLA under legendary men's coaches Al Scates and John Speraw, the current USA Men's National Team Head Coach. A walk-on, he was a three-year starter and earned a scholarship during his playing career. A 2015 All-MPSF honorable mention selection, he ranked among the nation's top-15 in hitting percentage (.387) and blocks per set (1.08) his final year.
"Trent has my strong and enthusiastic support for this opportunity because of the integrity and work ethic he demonstrated as a player at UCLA and the passion and innovative thinking he brings to his coaching career. I am so proud of what he has accomplished in such a short time. The drive and thoughtfulness he brings to teaching is nothing short of inspirational. Congratulations to San José State and the women who will play for him. To the parents of those women, know that I would be honored to send my own daughters to play for him. I can offer no higher praise," said Speraw.
As part of the USA Volleyball High Performance programs, he has assisted in developing athletes ranging in ages from 12-18. Kersten's 2019 team won a gold medal at the High Performance Championships. He will coach the 2020 Youth National Team.
During his undergraduate years, Kersten worked in the UCLA Recruiting Department during the summer of 2014 and was a lead coach for three summers at the UCLA Summer Volleyball Camps.
Kersten has extensive experience working with club teams in California and Texas. He has been responsible for managing coaching staffs and working with budgets for each team.
Kersten graduated from UCLA in June of 2015 with a bachelor's degree in geography and environmental studies.
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