One of the most decorated coaches in not only the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, but all of NCAA Division II, Laurie Lokash has announced she will retire from Slippery Rock after 40 seasons in early December, 2024.
Over her storied career, Lokash recorded 676 wins, which ranks first in PSAC history and 20th all-time in NCAA Division II.
CAREER AT A GLANCE
• Posted a career record of 676-641 (.513)
• Under Lokash, SRU won at least 20 matches in a season 13 times.
• Slippery Rock earned 10 PSAC Tournament berths and eight NCAA Tournament bids since Lokash’s arrival at SRU.
• During her time at Slippery Rock, Lokash has won five PSAC West championships and two PSAC Tournament titles.
• A two-time PSAC Coach of the Year.
• Lokash developed two American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans in Jennifer Howser (2003) and Anastasia Urbanik (2006) in addition to 47 AVCA All-Atlantic Region selections and 43 All-PSAC honorees.
• Inducted into the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
• In 2005-06, Coach Lokash was selected as one of 25 participants in the prestigious NCAA Women Coaches Academy.
• Previously served as the Coaches grievance committee chair of the Slippery Rock APSCUF chapter.
• Under Lokash, SRU has raised over $30,000 over the last 17 years for breast cancer research and treatment through its “Dig for the Cure” initiative.
• Was the head coach for the Slippery Rock softball team for 10 seasons (1987-96), winning 101 games.
SEASON-BY-SEASON BREAKDOWN
2023
• Slippery Rock went 14-15 overall, matching the program’s highest win total over the last nine years while The Rock’s .487 winning percentage was the best by the program since 2014.
• SRU was 6-10 inside the PSAC West, just missing out on qualifying for the conference tournament with its second-highest conference win total over the last five years.
• The Rock led the PSAC in digs per set while ranking third in the conference in blocks per set and opponent aces allowed.
• Outside hitter Erica Selfridge earned All-PSAC West honors and libero Kate Lachendro received AVCA All-Atlantic Region recognition.
• Lachendro, Selfridge, Callie Chevalier and Jaeden Yost were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
• Slippery Rock held the highest GPA of any volleyball program in the PSAC (3.720).
2022
• Led The Rock to a 14-16 overall record that included an 8-8 mark inside the PSAC.
• The Rock's 14 overall wins represented the second most victories for the program since 2012 while the 8-8 league record marked the first time SRU finished the season with a .500 or better winning percentage in league competition since 2006.
• SRU went 7-2 at Morrow Field House for the program’s first winning record in home matches since 2018.
• Mentored All-PSAC West honoree Erica Selfridge, The Rock’s first all-conference selection dating back to the 2018 season.
• SRU concluded the year ranked second in the PSAC in digs per set, third in blocks per set and 11th in aces per set.
• Three Rock athletes were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
• Slippery Rock’s 3.562 team GPA was the fifth highest among all PSAC volleyball teams.
2021
• Completed first official season following the Covid-19 pandemic with a 5-25 record.
• Kate Lachendro was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
• 11 Slippery Rock athletes recognized as PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
2020
• Regular season canceled due to Covid-19 pandemic.
• Played three spring matches against Clarion (2x) and Gannon.
• Slippery Rock had 16 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2019
• SRU finished the season with a 7-23 record.
• The Rock ranked third in the PSAC in blocks allowed per set (1.54).
• Slippery Rock had 15 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2018
• SRU concluded the season slotted second in the PSAC Northwest Division with an 8-10 mark in league play while finishing 11-16 overall.
• The Rock went 6-4 at Morrow Field House for its best home record since 2005.
• Shayla Ray ranked fourth in the PSAC in attack percentage (.319).
• Slippery Rock had 12 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2017
• SRU won eight straight matches to open the season while finishing 11-19 overall.
• Slippery Rock ranked 24th in the nation in digs per set. Individually, Courtney Oberlander ranked 16th in Division II in digs per set (5.91) and 21st in total digs (662).
• Oberlander earned CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition.
• Oberlander made a repeat appearance on the All-PSAC West Team while also earning all-region accolades.
• Slippery Rock had 14 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2016
• The Rock won four of their final seven matches to finish the season with a 13-19 record.
• Slippery Rock ranked seventh in the nation in digs per set. Individually, Courtney Oberlander ranked 11th in Division II in digs per set (5.94) and 22nd in total digs (648).
• Oberlander represented The Rock on the All-PSAC West Team.
• Slippery Rock earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2015
• SRU won six straight matches to open the season while finishing 10-25 overall.
• A three-set victory over Cheyney on Oct. 16 marked the 600th win in Lokash’s career.
• Slippery Rock earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2014
• Lokash produced the 19th winning season of her career with a 17-14 record.
• Kristy Lake received AVCA All-Atlantic Region accolades.
2013
• SRU finished the season with a 10-25 record.
• Michelle Hren ranked second in the PSAC in blocks per set (1.08) and third in total blocks (141).
2012
• SRU finished the season with a 14-19 record.
• Sarah Cadwallader and Hannah McShea earned AVCA All-Atlantic Region honors with Cadwallader also securing a spot on the All-PSAC West Team.
• 15 Slippery Rock athletes were recognized as PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
2011
• The Rock qualified for the NCAA Tournament while finishing the season with an overall record of 20-12, marking Lokash’s 13th 20-win season.
• Slippery Rock won 14 straight matches, which at that point was the second-longest winning streak in program history.
• Janna Reilly headlined The Rock’s award winners, earning PSAC and AVCA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year honors.
• Sarah Cadwallader (all-region) and Kaylee Smith (All-PSAC West) also garnered postseason recognition.
• Reilly ranked second in the PSAC in assists per set (9.98).
2010
• SRU finished the season with an 8-21 record.
• 13 Slippery Rock athletes recognized as PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
2009
• SRU finished the season with a 7-25 record.
• The Rock led the PSAC in opponent attack percentage (.033) while ranking second in digs per set (17.39).
• Slippery Rock had 14 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2008
• Slippery Rock made its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament on the way to concluding the season at 26-12.
• The Rock advanced to the Atlantic Region semifinal before losing to top-seeded Wheeling Jesuit.
• SRU tied for the league lead in solo blocks (100) while ranking third in digs per set (15.54).
• Jen Blasko became the program’s first CoSIDA Academic All-American while also being named to the PSAC Fall Top 10.
• Blasko and Anastasia Urbanik were once again named to the All-PSAC and AVCA All-Atlantic Region teams.
• Blasko ranked third in the PSAC in total kills (412). Keira Peoples’ 1.03 blocks per set was the third-highest average in the conference.
• Slippery Rock had 14 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2007
• SRU made its third NCAA Tournament appearance in as many seasons while finishing the year at 22-15.
• The Rock won nine of their final 13 matches.
• Slippery Rock defeated Bluefield State in straight sets on Sept. 12 in what was the 500th win Lokash’s career.
• SRU led the PSAC in digs per set (20.96).
• Jen Blasko was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
• Blasko and Anastasia Urbanik picked up All-PSAC and AVCA All-Atlantic Region recognition.
• Slippery Rock had 16 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2006
• Slippery Rock marched all the way to the Atlantic Region semifinals in the NCAA Tournament before ending the year with a 31-9 record.
• Lokash was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• SRU qualified for the PSAC Tournament and finished third in the PSAC West regular season standings.
• Slippery Rock led the PSAC in kills per set (15.32), aces per set (2.67) and assists per set (14.0) while ranking second in hitting percentage (.250) and third in digs per set (18.39).
• Anastasia Urbanik became the second AVCA All-American in program history following a season in which she compiled 513 kills on a .317 attack percentage to go with 32 aces, 130 digs and 118 blocks.
• Urbanik led the PSAC in total kills while Sara Kirsch topped the conference in assists per set (12.04) and aces (81).
• Jen Blasko was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
• Urbanik, Kirsch and Louise Schultz all garnered All-PSAC and all-region accolades. Gwen Oberlin was also named to the all-region team and Blasko was named to the All-PSAC West Team.
• Slippery Rock had 12 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2005
• For the first time since the 2000 season, Slippery Rock earned an NCAA Tournament bid in a year in which SRU ultimately put together a 24-10 record.
• The Rock was virtually flawless at Morrow Field House, going 7-2 in home contests.
• Slippery Rock ranked second in the PSAC in both kills per set (14.79) and assists per set (13.40) as well as third in digs per set (21.31).
• Sara Kirsch led the PSAC in assists per set (12.51)
• Anastasia Urbanik headlined The Rock’s award winners, earning PSAC and AVCA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year honors.
• Kirsch also garnered all-region and All-PSAC recognition.
• Slippery Rock had 10 PSAC Scholar-Athletes and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
2004
• Slippery Rock had another winning season in the form of an 18-16 record.
• The Rock defeated Fort Lewis in four sets for Lokash’s 400th career win on Aug. 27.
• SRU ranked third in the PSAC in total aces (310) while leading the league in total digs (2,570).
• Sarah Kirsch and Layna Heilman-Houser picked were selected as AVCA All-Atlantic Region performers with Heilman-Houser also earning All-PSAC honors.
• 10 Slippery Rock athletes recognized as PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
2003
• A 17-5 non-league record paved the way to SRU’s first winning season since 1998 as The Rock concluded the year at 17-15 overall.
• The Rock led the PSAC in aces per set (2.48) and digs per set (22.88) while ranking fourth in kills per set (14.57).
• Jennifer Howser became the first AVCA All-American in program history after totaling 392 kills, 48 aces, 500 digs and 27 blocks.
• Toni Reiber was also named the AVCA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year.
• Andi Whitican finished third in the PSAC in total aces (57).
2002
• SRU finished the season with a 15-18 record.
• The Rock ranked third in the PSAC in total aces (248).
• Michelle Ide and Jen Howser picked up All-PSAC and AVCA All-Atlantic Region recognition.
2001
• SRU finished the season with a 16-17 record.
• The Rock ranked second in the PSAC in digs per set (19.10).
• Michelle Ide earned all-region honors for a second straight year in addition to collecting All-PSAC accolades.
2000
• SRU finished the season with a 16-17 record while earning its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1994.
• Michelle Ide was named an all-region performer while Sally Scott received All-PSAC honors.
1999
• SRU finished the season with a 13-21 record.
• Sally Scott was named to the All-PSAC and AVCA All-Atlantic Region teams for a third consecutive year.
1998
• The Rock posted their third consecutive winning campaign by going 19-12.
• Danielle Snyder and Sally Scott repeated as All-PSAC and AVCA All-Atlantic Region honorees.
1997
• SRU finished the season with a 19-14 record.
• Lokash registered her 300th career win when Slippery Rock defeated IUP 3-0 on Oct. 28.
• Danielle Snyder and Sally Scott picked up All-PSAC and AVCA All-Atlantic Region recognition.
1996
• SRU compiled a 20-14 record as Slippery Rock earned its eighth 20-win season in 12 seasons under Lokash.
• Danielle Snyder and Nikki St. Antoine both received All-PSAC West recognition with St. Antoine going on to earn her third consecutive all-region nod.
1995
• Slippery Rock narrowly missed a fifth-straight winning season after concluding the season at 18-19.
• Danielle Snyder was tabbed the PSAC West Rookie of the Year while Nikki St. Antoine was once again an all-conference and all-region honoree.
• Lokash coached The Rock to a 4-1 record over the final two weeks of the season.
1994
• The Rock repeated as PSAC West champions while earning a second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid by going 29-16.
• Slippery Rock was at its best down the stretch, going 9-3 over its final 12 matches.
• SRU placed four athletes on the All-PSAC West team highlighted by Laurie Flynn, who earned PSAC West Athlete of the Year honors for a second straight season, as well as fellow first team honoree Bev Rea.
• Rea, Flynn and Nikki St. Antoine also repeated on the all-region team.
1993
• Lokash guided The Rock to the best season in program history to date as SRU won a school record 40 matches (40-6).
• Slippery Rock won both the PSAC West title and PSAC Tournament championship in addition to earning the first NCAA Tournament berth in program history.
• SRU defeated Presbyterian in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Gannon in a second-round, five-set thriller.
• The Rock rattled off winning streaks of 14 and 10 matches during the season.
• Lokash was bestowed with her first PSAC Coach of the Year award.
• Lokash earned 200th career win with a shutout of C.W. Post on Oct. 9.
• Laurie Flynn was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year while Nikki St. Antoine earned PSAC West Rookie of the Year recognition with Bev Rea also claiming all-conference first team honors. All three also went on to be named to the all-region team.
1992
• Behind all-region performers Bev Rea, Laurie Flynn and Peggy Gregory, Slippery Rock posted a 22-13 record.
• SRU closed the season strong with five wins in its last six matches for Lokash’s sixth winning season in first nine years at The Rock.
1991
• Slippery Rock was dominant down the stretch, winning eight of its final 12 matches en route to a 21-14 finish.
• The Rock had two athletes - Laurie Flynn and Peggy Gregory – earn All-PSAC honors with Gregory also receiving AVCA All-Region accolades.
1990
• Lokash led a youthful Slippery Rock team which returned just three athletes from 1989 to an 11-18 record.
1989
• Slippery Rock won 11 of final 17 matches to go 18-14 and win the PSAC West for a fourth time under Lokash’s tutelage.
• Outside hitter Wendy Miller picked up AVCA All-Region honors for a second straight season.
1988
• SRU concluded the season at 15-19.
• Lokash earned 100th career victory with a 3-0 win at Ashland on Oct. 21, 1988.
• Outside hitter Wendy Miller earned AVCA All-Region honors.
1987
• Slippery Rock bounced back from a down 1986 campaign to go 21-18.
• Won third PSAC West title in last four seasons while also qualifying for the PSAC Tournament.
1986
• Returned just three letterwinners from 1985, finishing the season with a 7-23 record.
1985
• Slippery Rock won a second consecutive PSAC West title while finishing the year with a stellar 28-5 record.
• SRU posted a program record winning streak of 15 matches, culminating in a PSAC West-championship clinching victory over IUP.
• Once again qualified for PSAC Tournament.
• The Rock were ranked as high as 16th in the nation during the regular season.
1984
• Lokash began her head coaching career by leading The Rock to a 32-6 record.
• Slippery Rock volleyball won its first PSAC Tournament title and PSAC West championships in program history.
• SRU had winning streaks of 11 and 13 matches.
• Lokash Earned first career head coaching victory in a win over Elmira on Sept. 3, 1984.
THE ROCK IN THE CLASSROOM
• Annually one of the top academic programs in the Atlantic Region, Lokash has mentored 251 PSAC Scholar-Athletes since 1997.
• Slippery Rock has been the recipient of 12 AVCA Team Academic Awards since 2005.
• Two SRU student-athletes have earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors under Lokash in Jen Blasko (2008) and Courtney Oberlander (2017).
• SRU volleyball has finished the year with a team GPA above 3.0 in 12 of the last 13 years.
COACHING TIMELINE
• 1984-Present: Slippery Rock (head coach)
• 1987-96 Slippery Rock (softball / head coach)
PLAYING CAREER
• Lokash began her collegiate career at West Virginia University, where she played one season before transferring to Penn State University.
• At Penn State, Lokash played for Russ Rose - one of the top coaches in NCAA Division I volleyball history.
• In high school, Lokash played for Rock alumnus Sheron Watson on Norwin teams that claimed three straight Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state championships.
PERSONAL
• A native of North Huntington, Pennsylvania.
• Earned Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education (Athletic Training emphasis) from Penn State.
| Career Record |
| Year |
W |
L |
Notes |
| 1984 |
33 |
6 |
PSAC Tourn. Champions
PSAC West Champions |
| 1985 |
28 |
5 |
PSAC West Champions |
| 1986 |
7 |
23 |
- |
| 1987 |
20 |
19 |
PSAC West Champions |
| 1988 |
15 |
20 |
- |
| 1989 |
18 |
14 |
PSAC West Champions |
| 1990 |
11 |
18 |
- |
| 1991 |
21 |
14 |
- |
| 1992 |
20 |
15 |
- |
| 1993 |
40 |
6 |
PSAC Tourn. Champions
NCAA Tournament |
| 1994 |
30 |
15 |
PSAC West Champions
NCAA Tournament |
| 1995 |
18 |
19 |
- |
| 1996 |
20 |
14 |
- |
| 1997 |
19 |
14 |
- |
| 1998 |
19 |
12 |
- |
| 1999 |
13 |
21 |
- |
| 2000 |
16 |
17 |
NCAA Tournament |
| 2001 |
16 |
17 |
- |
| 2002 |
15 |
18 |
- |
| 2003 |
17 |
15 |
- |
| 2004 |
18 |
16 |
- |
| 2005 |
22 |
9 |
NCAA Tournament |
| 2006 |
31 |
9 |
NCAA Tournament |
| 2007 |
22 |
15 |
NCAA Tournament |
| 2008 |
26 |
12 |
NCAA Tournament |
| 2009 |
7 |
25 |
- |
| 2010 |
8 |
21 |
- |
| 2011 |
20 |
12 |
NCAA Tournament |
| 2012 |
14 |
19 |
- |
| 2013 |
10 |
25 |
- |
| 2014 |
17 |
14 |
- |
| 2015 |
10 |
25 |
- |
| 2016 |
13 |
19 |
- |
| 2017 |
11 |
19 |
- |
| 2018 |
11 |
16 |
- |
| 2019 |
7 |
23 |
- |
| 2020 |
0 |
3 |
- |
| 2021 |
5 |
25 |
- |
| 2022 |
14 |
16 |
- |
| 2023 |
14 |
15 |
- |
| 2024 |
- |
- |
- |
| Career |
676 |
641 |
• 5 PSAC West Titles
• 2 PSAC Championships
• 8 NCAA Tourn. bids |
