YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University Gymnastics Head Coach Katie Minasola announced the hiring of Lauren Volpe as an assistant coach Wednesday, July 17.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Lauren to our EMU family,” Minasola said. “Her knowledge and experience in the MAC as an athlete and coach, will only help our program grow. Her energy and passion will add value to our program. She is the perfect addition to help us continue our success on the competition floor and in the classroom.”

After a decorated five-year run as a student-athlete at Ball State University, Volpe stayed in Muncie as a graduate assistant and helped the Cardinals reach their second-straight NCAA Regional behind back-to-back MAC championships before coming to Ypsilanti.

“I’m very grateful for the knowledge and experience I have gained from both competing and coaching in the MAC,” Volpe said. “After seeing the beautiful campus at Eastern and getting to know the student-athletes, I am thrilled to get started and to help the program continue moving forward.”

In addition to being a three-time WGCA Scholastic All-American and three-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference honoree, Volpe is tied for the Ball State individual record after tallying a 9.925 in the balance beam against Northern Illinois University, Feb. 12, 2023.

A multi-year captain at Ball State, Volpe earned MAC Specialist of the Week honors, Jan. 16, 2023, after posting 9.875 on beam against Western Michigan University.

Volpe had two other wins as a Cardinal, both of which came against EMU. Her first career event win was Feb. 16, 2020, in which she recorded a season-best score of 9.825 on beam. Volpe’s other event win against the Eagles, Feb. 20, 2020, was a result of her 9.850 beam score.

The Mundelein, Ill. native graduated from Ball State with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2022.