As coaches go, Lauren Sanders is one of the best. During the pandemic stricken 2020 season she led her team to a 16-3 overall record that included a perfect 6-0 in conference play. The ladies won the Midwest Christian College Conference regular season title without dropping a single set and turned that success into a conference tournament championship, again, without losing a single set. That regular season success earned the Thunder the #1 overall seed at the NCCAA SW Region Tournament and resulted in an at-large selection to the NCCAA DII National Tournament. While the ladies were unable to attend due to COVID-19, the fact that the team persevered throughout was a direct testament to the job that Coach Sanders did of managing her team and giving them the best chance to win each night out. Coach Sanders was named the NCCAA DII National Coach of the Year on Wednesday morning for the second time in her career (2012). and is every bit deserving.

"Congratulations to Coach Sanders on being named NCCAA DII National Coach of the Year! It goes without saying, but having a coach of her caliber leading our women's volleyball team is a blessing for the college and we could not be more proud," commented Jordan Strom, Director of Athletics. 

Along with claiming the National Coach of the Year, the ladies picked up more national honors with sophomore, Brenna Flax, and junior, Grace Marozas, earning 2nd Team All-America honors. Marozas along with junior, Grace Kuenzi, and senior, Kennedy Wilson, earned Scholar-Athlete recognition. 

National Coach of the Year: Lauren Sanders

NCCAA 2nd Team All-America: Brenna Flax, Grace Marozas

NCCAA Scholar-Athletes: Grace Marozas, Grace Kuenzi, Kennedy Wilson

See full list of awards here.