SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Raquel McDonald will join the Slippery Rock University volleyball program as an assistant coach, head coach Dylan Lasher announced Wednesday.
 
"We're very excited to have Raquel join our program," said Lasher. "She will bring a great deal of energy, work ethic and commitment to SRU. Raquel's passion, successful playing career and coaching ability will be extremely beneficial to our players, staff and community."
 
McDonald comes to The Rock after spending two successful seasons on Lasher's staff at Thiel College.
 
"I'm looking forward to starting this new chapter at Slippery Rock University and am excited for the opportunity to grow, contribute, face challenges and work alongside a great team," said McDonald. "Let's get to work!"
 
During her time at Thiel, McDonald assisted in all facets of the volleyball program and helped Lasher turn around the Tomcats' women's team that after going just 3-22 in 2023 compiled an impressive 17-9 record in 2024.
 
The 2024 season not only marked the second-highest victory total inside the Thiel women's program since 2012, The 14-win improvement from 2023 to 2024 was the second-best year-to-year improvement among all 419 NCAA Division III women's volleyball programs last fall.
 
McDonald was also an assistant for the Thiel men's program which concluded its 2025 season with a 22-7 record that included a perfect 12-0 showing in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, a PAC Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
 
Prior to embarking on her coaching career, McDonald was a standout middle blocker for Thiel from 2019-22. Over 95 career matches, McDonald totaled 208 blocks, 660 kills and a .247 attack percentage while being named an All-PAC honoree on three occasions in addition to earning a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team as a senior.
 
McDonald, who ranks second in Tomcat program history in career attack percentage and ninth in total blocks, graduated from Thiel with her bachelor's in cognitive psychology, sociology and criminal justice while minoring in Spanish. She is currently finishing her master's in special education from SRU. 

Outside of volleyball, McDonald has served as a Behavioral Health Technician at George Junior Republic, taught Spanish at Kennedy Catholic High School and was the Director of Student Services at the William Penn Academy.
 
A native of Syracuse, New York, McDonald officially began her new role at SRU this week.
 
The Slippery Rock volleyball team opens its 2025 season 3 p.m. Sept. 3 against Elizabeth City State University at the Fairmont State Classic.





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