Former Samford volleyball standout
Lauren Deaton joined the University of North Alabama indoor and beach volleyball staffs as an assistant coach in February 2024.
Deaton, a five-year letterwinner for Samford from 2018-22, is the Bulldogs program leader in career kills (1,836) and career attacks (5,551) and ranks fourth in program history in career digs (1,574). The Bulldogs won 88 games with Deaton at the attack. The Memphis, Tenn. native received numerous accolades over the course of her career, including first and second team All-SoCon selections all five seasons and an SoCon All-Freshman team selection in 2018.
In 2021, Deaton was named a Spring AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, Spring SoCon Player of the Year and Spring SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player, while also being named the 2018 SoCon Freshman of the Year.
"I couldn't be more excited to add Lauren to our staff," said Indoor Volleyball Head Coach Tristan Johnson at the time of hire. "Her high level of success as a player and experience coaching this past season at Houston will have an immediate impact on our program. I have known Lauren since I recruited her and have always been impressed with her maturity and competitive fire. She has an infectious energy and passion for the game that will set a great example for our student athletes. Our program took another huge step forward with the addition of Lauren."
She assisted the UNA beach volleyball program to a 22-13 overall record in her first season with the team.
"We are so glad to add Lauren to our volleyball family," said Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb VanDePerre at the time of hire. "She brings with her years of high-level playing experience and a great coaching brain. She has jumped right in and made impactful relationships with our student-athletes, and we feel like her addition will help an already strong program continue to reach new heights."
Following her playing career, Deaton spent a year as a graduate assistant at the University of Houston, where she was part of the staff that oversaw the Cougars win 19 matches with a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance. She received her undergraduate degree from Samford in 2022 and received her master's degree in Business Administration in 2023.
"I am so thankful to Tristan for the opportunity to join his staff and learn from him," said Deaton. "He is building something special here in Florence, and I am excited to be part of it. I look forward to the continued growth of this program on and off the court."
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