Submitted by Joshua Kessler, St. Michael’s College
(May 20, 2023) — Saint Michael’s College Associate Director of Athletics Meggan Dulude has announced the selection of Lauren Brough [pronounced “BRO”] as the College’s first full-time women’s volleyball head coach. A three-year Purple Knights assistant coach, Brough was chosen after a national search. She begins her full-time duties on May 22, 2023.
“I feel tremendous gratitude to our administration for trusting and believing that our vision will take Saint Michael’s volleyball to the next level,” said Brough. “I’m excited to continue strengthening relationships with the student-athletes I have had the pleasure of recruiting and coaching for the past three years. These young women are an absolute force – they are committed, hungry, and have limitless potential. They fuel and inspire me to learn, grow and improve every single day. I am humbled and honored just to be a part of their journeys and look forward to supporting and challenging them, so that we reach our full potential both as individuals and as a program.”
Brough takes the reins of a program that relied upon a strong underclass nucleus last fall, as two first-years led the team in kills, a sophomore was the Purple Knights’ primary setter, and student-athletes with five of the top six dig totals were first-years or sophomores. Saint Michael’s continues trending in a positive direction, improving its service aces per set for the fifth straight year, hitting percentage for the fourth consecutive season, blocks per set for the third straight fall, and kills and digs per set for the second straight season.
“This spring we got a glimpse of what Lauren can do for and with the volleyball program, and we’re excited to see her vision take form,” said Dulude. “Her passion for growth, ability to communicate effectively, and focus on player development will challenge our student-athletes to become the best version of themselves off and on the court.”
Prior to arriving at Saint Michael’s, in Colchester, Vermont, for the 2020 season, Brough was an assistant coach at Northeast-10 Conference mate Saint Anselm College during the 2019-20 school year, helping the Hawks advance to the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament semifinals. Saint Anselm, which ranked ninth in the nation in service aces, finished 21-12 overall and 9-4 in the NE10, also advancing as far as the semifinals in the league tournament. Brough was heavily involved with training, recruiting, scouting and travel logistics during her season at Saint Anselm. She gained additional administrative leadership experience as an associate regional director for Zero Gravity Basketball out of Wilmington, Massachusetts in 2020.
A native of Killingworth, Brough played four years of volleyball at Bates College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2019. The Bobcats qualified for the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament each year, while Brough totaled 106 kills, 328 digs and 45 aces in 59 career matches from her outside hitter position. A three-time NESCAC All-Academic qualifier, Brough earned a Bates Senior Scholar Award and was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Brough is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Vermont.
Following her senior season, Brough spent much of 2019 as the Bobcats’ volunteer coordinator for alumni engagement. While still a senior at Bates, she volunteered through the after-school volleyball program at neighboring Montello Elementary School in Lewiston, Maine, and was an assistant coach with the Maine Juniors Volleyball Club.
