Wingate University Athletics

Lauren Tekavec (Florida Southern)	3rd season at Wingate
Record at Wingate	59-7 (34-2 SAC)
NCAA D2 Head Coach	59-7 (34-2 SAC)
SAC Coach of the Year	1 time (2024)
Region Coach of the Year	1 time (2024)
SAC Reg. Season Champs	2 times (2023, 2024)
SAC Tourney Champs	1 Time (2024)
NCAA Tournament	2 Times (2023, 2024)
NCAA Region Champions	1 Time (2024)

Lauren Tekavec enters her third year as the Wingate volleyball head coach in 2025. She was named the head coach in January of 2023. Tekavec has been on the Wingate coaching staff since 2019, being named the Associate Head Coach in 2021. Through her first two seasons as the head coach, Tekavec has compiled a 59-7 overall record, going 34-2 in SAC play. She has guided the Bulldogs to a regular season SAC title in each of her first two seasons, while leading Wingate to the SAC Tourney title and NCAA Southeast Region championship in 2024. The 'Dogs have hosted the NCAA Southeast Regionals in each of Tekavec's first two years as the Wingate head coach. 

The 2024 season saw Tekavec guide the Bulldogs to a 31-3 record, going 17-1 in league play. The 'Dogs captured the regular season SAC title for the 17th time in the last 18 seasons, while going on to sweep through the SAC Tournament to claim the 14th tourney title in the last 18 years. Wingate earned hosting duties at the NCAA Southeast Regionals, and after dropping the opening set, won the final nine frames to capture the seventh region title in program history. Tekavec was named the SAC Coach of the Year, while also being named the AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year. The Bulldogs ranked third in the nation in kills per set, while ranking fourth in hitting percentage and assists per set and sixth in opponents' hitting percentage. Wingate also ranked sixth nationally in winning percentage. Wingate piled up the individual accolades, with a program-record five Bulldogs earning All-American honors. Sydney Morland earned AVCA second team All-American honors, while Maya Van Heyst was named an AVCA third team All-American. Gabby Saye, Emily Johnson and Maddie Hoffman were honorable mention AVCA All-Americans. Morland was also named a D2CCA third team All-American. Morland was named the SAC and Region Player of the Year, with Van Heyst, Saye, Johnson and Hoffman earning All-Region accolades as well. 

In her first year as the Wingate head coach, Tekavec led the Bulldogs to a 28-4 overall record, going 17-1 in the SAC to capture the regular season SAC title. Wingate advanced to the SAC title match, while earning hosting duties at the NCAA Southeast Regionals for the 10th time in program history. The 'Dogs ranked fourth in the nation in hitting percentage, fifth in kills per set, sixth in assists per set, seventh in winning percentage and 14th in opponents' hitting percentage. The Bulldogs had four All-Americans in 2023, led by Maggie Young. The SAC and Region Player of the Year was named a D2CCA second team All-American and AVCA third team honoree. Saye, Johnson and Amber Rowoldt earning honorable mention All-American accolades. All four earned All-Region recognition as well, along with libero Maggie Mullen 

In her time at Wingate as an assistant coach and associate head coach, Tekavec helped lead the Bulldogs to an 87-13 overall record. The Bulldogs won the regular season SAC title every year, adding a SAC Tournament championship in 2022. Wingate also won the NCAA Southeast Region title in 2022, advancing to the national quarterfinal before falling in five sets to the eventual national champions.

Tekavec has played a key role in recruiting and defense during her time with the Bulldogs. Wingate has ranked in the top 10 nationally in opponents' hitting percentage every year she has been on staff, ranking second in 2022 while leading the nation in 2019. Tekavec played a huge role in this year's recruiting class that saw Emily Johnson become the first player in Wingate or SAC history to earn D2CCA second team All-American honors. The Region Freshman of the Year was also the only freshman to earn D2CCA All-American accolades in 2022.

Tekavec also played an important role in the development of several other Bulldogs that piled up awards in record fashion during the 2022 season, which saw the 'Dogs compile a 32-3 overall record to finish second in the nation in winning percentage. Shannon Kasprak was named the SAC and Region Player of the Year and an AVCA second team All-American, while just recently signing a pro contract in Austria, the first Bulldog to ever play professionally. Molly Lambillotte had a breakout final season at Wingate, earning third team AVCA All-American honors, while Maggie Young picked up honorable mention AVCA All-American accolades.

Prior to her arrival at Wingate, Tekavec spent one season at Regis University in Colorado as the Graduate Assistant Coach. At Regis, she managed individual player development, assisted with team training and strategy, while also assisting in recruiting, compliance and travel logistics. Tekavec was also responsible for academic support of student-athletes.

Tekavec played collegiate volleyball at Florida Southern College, where she was a four-year member of the Sunshine State Conference All-Academic Team and a three-time FSC Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete award winner. She was also a member of Florida Southern's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Tekavec helped lead the Mocs to success in her four-year career, posting an 87-45 overall record while going 46-18 in the highly-competitive Sunshine State Conference. FSC appeared in the NCAA Tournament every year of her career, advancing to the regional semifinals all four years. The Mocs were ranked as high as 13th in the AVCA top 25 during Tekavec's senior season, finishing the year at 25-6 overall and 14-2 in SSC play.

After graduating from Florida Southern with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Social Sciences and Secondary Education with minors in History and Religion, Tekavec was a high school volleyball head coach and teacher at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. In addition to being the head volleyball coach, she coordinated youth programs while also teaching ninth and 10th grade history.

Tekavec also has an extensive background with volleyball club coaching. She coached at Southern Select Volleyball Club in Lakeland, Fla. from 2014 through 2015, while coaching at Colorado Juniors Volleyball Club in Monument, Colo. from 2016 through 2018. She coached at Carolina Union Volleyball Club from 2019 through 2022. Tekavec is also currently serving as the South Athletic Conference Representative to AVCA National Assistant Coaches Committee.

Tekavec will take over one of the most successful programs in college volleyball. The Bulldogs have won 16 of the last 17 regular season SAC titles, adding 13 SAC Tournament championships and six NCAA regional titles. Wingate has ranked in the top 10 in the nation in winning percentage each of the last 17 years, leading the nation four times. The 'Dogs are the only team in SAC history to earn an AVCA top 25 ranking, finishing the 2022 season at number 17. Wingate has made a league-best 18 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, earning hosting duties at the NCAA Southeast Regionals nine times since 2008, including twice during Tekavec's tenure.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

Jill Stephens | Florida Southern Associate AD / SWA (Tekavec's college coach)
"What a brilliant hire for Wingate! Lauren has always been a part of successful programs dating back to her high school and club days. She has been a sponge sitting at the feet of a brilliant volleyball mind, in Shelton Collier. Lauren will undoubtedly impact and empower the young women she coaches and I cannot wait to watch what she will do with the program as she puts her personal spin on it."

Joel List | Regis University Head Coach
"I am so proud of Lauren for being appointed as the next head coach. She has a passion for Division II Volleyball that very few possess. She has excellent perspective as a player, starting with club and proceeding all the way through her collegiate playing career. That, coupled with her coaching experiences, have set her up to continue the success that Shelton and Wingate have established. She has earned this appointment and I congratulate Wingate University on landing a great coach to guide their volleyball program into the future."

Molly Lambillotte | Former Wingate All-American Outside Hitter
"I am proud and excited for Coach Tek as she steps into her new role at Wingate. Coach Tek has been an inspiration to every athlete that has had the opportunity to be coached by her and I know she will continue to do this for every player to come. She is not only a skillful volleyball coach regarding technique and strategy, but she is one of the most committed coaches I have ever come across. She wants to develop student-athletes on and off the court which is one of her many strengths. Coach Tek also knows the Wingate culture and traditions that have led to greatness for many years. There is no doubt that Coach Tek will flourish by being the next fearless leader of the Wingate volleyball program."

Maggie Mullen | Current Wingate All-SAC Libero
"When our team found out that Coach Tek got the job as our head coach we were ecstatic. She completely earned this position and deserves it. She has impacted this program as an assistant coach and associate head coach for years, and now we can't wait for her to make her mark on this program as a head coach. Couldn't have given this job to a more deserving and wonderful human being."