Raquel McDonald enters her first season as head coach Dylan Lasher’s top assistant for the Slippery Rock University volleyball program in 2025.
“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 assists in all facets of the program as Lasher’s lead assistant.
CAREER AT A GLANCE
• McDonald comes to The Rock after spending two successful seasons at Thiel College where she assisted in all facets of the men’s and women’s volleyball programs.
• During her time at Thiel, McDonald 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.
• 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.
COACHING TIMELINE
• 2018-22: Club SyrV
• 2023-25: Thiel College (Women’s Assistant Coach)
• 2023-25: Thiel College (Men’s Assistant Coach)
• 2025-Present: Slippery Rock (Assistant Coach)
ATHLETIC CAREER
• 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. • 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.
• Graduated from Thiel ranked second in program history in career attack percentage and ninth in total blocks.
PERSONAL
• Native of Syracuse, New York
• Earned bachelor’s in cognitive psychology, sociology and criminal justice while minoring in Spanish from Thiel in 2023.
• Holds a master’s in special education from Slippery Rock (2025).
