Rachelle Sherden is in her first year as the Assistant Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Gustavus Adolphus College in the 2024-25 academic year. Prior to being named as the Assistant Athletic Director in July of 2024, Sherden served as the head women’s volleyball coach at Gustavus for 15 seasons. She transitioned to the full-time responsibilities of the SWA on Jan. 1, 2025.
| ATHLETICS RESUME |
Gustavus Adolphus College - 2024-Present
Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator
Gustavus Adolphus College - 2010-24
Head Volleyball Coach
Winona State University - 2008-10
Assistant Volleyball Coach and Academic Advisor
Luther College - 2007-08
Assistant Volleyball and Track & Field Coach |
| PLAYING CAREER |
University of St. Thomas - 2003-06
NCAA DIII Volleyball and Track & Field |
| EDUCATION |
Winona State University - 2010
M.S. Educational Leadership and Sport Management
University of St. Thomas - 2007
B.A. Art and Graphic Design |
| HOMETOWN |
| Anoka, Minn. |
|
Sherden serves as the advisor to several student-athlete organizations and conducts student-athlete leadership development programs. In addition to her work with student-athletes, Sherden acts as a liaison between the athletics department and other departments on campus and is responsible for the athletic department’s professional development opportunities and programs.
During her 15 years as the head volleyball coach, Sherden directed the Gusties to an overall record of 278-148, winning six MIAC Regular Season Championships and six playoff titles. Sherden guided the Gusties to NCAA tournament appearances in eight seasons, including a trip to the NCAA “Elite Eight” in 2017. She coached 21 players who earned 42 All-Conference awards and five athletes who garnered 10 All-American distinctions over her tenure. She was named MIAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in her career in her final season, and was selected as the AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year in both 2015 and 2018.
Sherden, an Anoka, Minn. native, had a standout career at the University of St. Thomas. A four-year starter and three-time All-MIAC honoree, Sherden led the Tommies to a 103-35 record in her four years. As an outside hitter, she was an AVCA Third Team All-American honoree in 2006 and an AVCA Honorable Mention All-America recipient in 2005. She received her graduate degree in Educational Leadership and Sport Management from Winona State in 2015.
| Rachelle Sherden's Year-by-Year Coaching Record |
| Year |
Wins |
Losses |
Win % |
Postseason |
| 2010 |
6 |
18 |
.250 |
12th |
| 2011 |
20 |
10 |
.667 |
T-5th |
| 2012 |
10 |
18 |
.357 |
T-9th |
| 2013 |
11 |
20 |
.355 |
T-9th |
| 2014 |
10 |
15 |
.400 |
6th |
| 2015 |
27 |
3 |
.900 |
1st // MIAC Playoff Champions // NCAA First Round |
| 2016 |
24 |
8 |
.750 |
2nd // MIAC Playoff Champions // NCAA Second Round |
| 2017 |
26 |
7 |
.788 |
3rd // NCAA Elite 8 |
| 2018 |
27 |
3 |
.900 |
1st // MIAC Playoff Champions // NCAA First Round |
| 2019 |
14 |
15 |
.483 |
5th |
| 2020 |
4 |
3 |
.571 |
|
| 2021 |
27 |
6 |
.818 |
1st // MIAC Playoff Champions // NCAA Second Round |
| 2022 |
26 |
5 |
.839 |
1st // MIAC Playoff Champions // NCAA Second Round |
| 2023 |
26 |
7 |
.788 |
1st // MIAC Playoff Champions // NCAA Second Round |
| 2024 |
20 |
10 |
.667 |
1st |
| 15 Seasons |
278 |
148 |
.653 |
6 MIAC Titles |
