In just his third season, Hugh Hernesman has already re-built the Northwestern State volleyball program from scratch. Bringing in a class of nine freshmen last season, he and his wife Stephanie coached NSU to its first Southland Conference Tournament appearance in three years and improved its conference win total by two matches from 2010.
His 2011 recruiting class was regarded as the strongest in the conference, as he brought in All-State athletes who played at prestigious high-end volleyball clubs. Two of his recruits, Keelie Arneson and Stacey DiFrancesco, earned All-Louisiana First-Team accolades in their very first year in the program. Additionally, DiFrancesco became the first Lady Demon to win Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in program history and also made it on the All-Conference Second-Team.
The NSU volleyball program garned national attention last season on Sept. 15, 2011 when they snapped Central Arkansas’ 31-match home winning-streak. It was the second longest active streak in the nation, and NSU needed just four sets to break it. The Lady Demons had not previously defeated UCA since 2006, and it was the first time they had ever done it on the road.
The Hernesman’s have made NSU one of the most elite volleyball programs in Louisiana. The Lady Demons posted an impressive 7-1 record against Louisiana opponents last season, including wins over Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana (twice) and Nicholls State (twice).
In 2010, NSU had one of the biggest turnarounds in the nation with 10 more wins than the previous season. The turnaround had to do with both the talent and competitiveness both coaches bring into a program that hasn’t seen a winning season since 1987.
Hernesman arrived at NSU after serving two seasons as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ball State and helped coach the 2008 and 2009 teams to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, where the Cardinals lost to the eventual champions both seasons.
In three years, they coached two All-MAC performers as well as developed two players that were named to the 2008 All-MAC Freshman team. They also were a major factor in boasting Ball State’s RPI from No. 254 in their first season in 2007, to No. 50 in his last year.
Hugh began his collegiate coaching career at Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1995 and helped guide the Warhawks to nine consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, including four Final Four appearances (1995, 2000, 2001, 2002) and the 2002 National Championship.
His teams won six WIAC Conference titles and posted a 305-45 won-loss record. He also developed and coached eight AVCA All-Americans, including the 2002 National Player of the Year, 10 AVCA All-Region players, and 14 WIAC All-Conference athletes.
Prior to joining the Ball State staff, Hugh was joined by Stephanie to transform Hardin-Simmons into a conference champion in just three seasons.
He was named the American Southwest Conference West Division Coach of the Year in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons, coached two ASC West Division Players of the Year, two league newcomers of the year, 10 ASC All-Conference selections, and a first team Academic All-American.
He also guided his team to the 2006 ASC tournament championship and the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. His 2005 team won the ASC West Division title and was an ASC tournament runner-up. His program won the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2004-05 sports calendar year.
Hugh began his collegiate coaching career at Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1995 and helped guide the Warhawks to nine consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, including four Final Four appearances (1995, 2000, 2001, 2002) and the 2002 National Championship.
His teams won six WIAC Conference titles and posted a 305-45 won-loss record. He also developed and coached eight AVCA All-Americans, including the 2002 National Player of the Year, 10 AVCA All-Region players, and 14 WIAC All-Conference athletes.
He and Stephanie are the proud parents of 6-year old son Austin, and 3-year old daughter Emma.
