Kristen Johnson first began coaching with the Garnet volleyball program as the full time assistant coach in 2023. In 2005 as a high school senior, she was named in Chicago's All-Area Honorable Mention leading her team as captain to a conference championship and to the final 32 of the Illinois State tournament. She continued to play Division III volleyball for Hope College where she was a 3 year starter and a crucial part of the team's Final Four NCAA finish in 2009 as well as 2 conference championships in 2008 and 2009. She holds Hope College’s record for the most digs in a match (36) and is ranked in her program’s history for the highest digging average per game (9th), total digs (11th), and the highest serving percentage (3rd). In 2009, she received the Defensive Player of the Year award along with 2nd Team All-Conference and an All-Regional Honorable Mention from the AVCA. In 2014, Hope College won their first national championship under head coach Becky Schmidt. She holds a BA in Religion, Classical Studies and Sociology from Hope College and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Kristen has coached over 20 seasons for various clubs, high schools, and college teams, including as the head coach at Westtown School for two years (2014-2015) and as the head coach at Gwynedd Mercy University for six years (2017-2022). During her first three seasons at Gwynedd Mercy, she improved the team’s record from 9-19 to 11-14, to 12-15. Then, in 2019, Gwynedd Mercy advanced to post season play for the first time since 2007 and again in 2021 and 2022. (The 2020 season did not have post season play due to covid). In 2021 and 2022, two of her recruits were named to the all conference team and one awarded as rookie of the year; the program had not achieved this type of success since 2006.
Kristen resides in Manayunk, PA and enjoys traveling in her free time.
