Former Bison standout Jennifer Lopez joined the North Dakota State volleyball staff as an assistant in May 2015, was named NDSU’s interim head coach in May 2017 and officially appointed the program’s 12th head coach in October 2017.
Lopez was selected as one of the AVCA’s 2018 “Top Thirty under 30” award recipients after leading the Bison to a 19-9 record, including 9-5 in the Summit League in 2017.
In 2022, Lopez helped guide the Bison to 21-12 overall record and advance to the Summit League Championship semifinal round. It marked the most wins in a single-season since 2011 and was only the fifth time in the Division I era the Bison have reached the 20-win plateau. The Bison concluded the season earning their first ever appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
NDSU led the Summit League in 2022 and ranked seventh in the nation in kills with 1,759. The Bison were also slotted 10th in the nation and led the Summit League with 1,615 assists. Lopez assisted in the development of four All-Summit League selections in 2022. Kelley Johnson highlighted the group after earning Summit League Setter of the Year honors and a spot on the first team. Syra Tanchin also picked up Summit League First Team honors to go along with AVCA North All-Region Honorable Mention accolades.
Prior to coaching, Lopez was the Summit League Setter of the Year, Player of the Year and Tournament MVP in 2011 as a senior for the Bison. She was a three-time All-Summit League selection, leading NDSU to four straight regular season league titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances from 2008-11.
Before returning to NDSU, Lopez served as the head girls’ volleyball coach at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo for the 2013-14 season and as an assistant coach at West Fargo Sheyenne High School for 2014-15. She was also highly involved in area instructional camps and club volleyball.
“Being able to give back to the university that did so much for me as a student-athlete is very rewarding,” said Lopez. “The values and standards that NDSU upholds are a part of who I am, and I hope I can continue to instill the tradition of success and hard work in developing young women. The positive impact that NDSU has had on my life is one that I hope I am able to provide to our kids during their time spent at NDSU.”
As an assistant coach, Lopez served as NDSU’s offensive coordinator, overseeing the technical training and skill development combined with play calling and decision-making at the setter position.
A native of Glyndon, Minn., Lopez ranks among the NDSU all-time top 10 in total assists, assists per set and digs per set.
Lopez graduated from NDSU in 2014 with a degree in mathematics education and a minor in coaching. She has one son, Jalen.
Lopez Year-By-Year
| Season |
Team |
Overall |
League |
League Tournament |
Postseason |
| 2017 |
North Dakota State |
19-9 |
9-5 (4th) |
Semifinal |
-- |
| 2018 |
North Dakota State |
9-20 |
6-10 (T6th) |
Semifinal |
-- |
| 2019 |
North Dakota State |
13-16 |
8-8 (5th) |
Quarterfinal |
-- |
| 2020-21 |
North Dakota State |
10-8 |
8-8 (5th) |
-- |
-- |
| 2021 |
North Dakota State |
12-18 |
6-12 (7th) |
-- |
-- |
| 2022 |
North Dakota State |
21-12 |
13-5 (3rd) |
Semifinal |
NIVC First Round |
| 2023 |
North Dakota State |
18-11 |
9-7 (5th) |
Semifinal |
-- |
| 2024 |
North Dakota State |
12-14 |
8-8 (5th) |
Quarterfinal |
-- |
| Totals |
8 Seasons |
114-108 |
67-63 |
6 Appearances |
|
