Lasell volleyball coach Jeff Vautrin looks to carry success into second year
NEWTON, Mass. (BVM) — Jeff Vautrin knows his way around volleyball better than most. His playing experience has transferred well into his new job as a head coach.
Vautrin played volleyball for Lasell from 2014-2017. He became Lasell’s second player ever to record 1,000 kills by finishing out his three-year career with 1,064 total kills. Vautrin’s playing career is filled with accolades. He is a three-time All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) member, making the first team twice. He was also named to the GNAC all-tournament team in 2014 and helped earn Lasell a GNAC championship in 2015.
Vautrin now in his second season as the men’s volleyball coach is looking to transfer his success to the women’s team which he was named head coach of in March. In his first season with the men, Vautrin led the team to a 10-12 record before having his season cut short due to coronavirus. However, there were positives to take away from that season. Vautrin’s ability to coach players to their greatest potential was on full display. Three of his players earned All-GNAC honors, including Scott Sterenberg and Jesus Garica, who were second team all-stars while Cobi Moore attained third team honors.
Prior to his head coaching job, he served as an assistant coach for the men’s team for two years and the women’s team for one. Vautrin’s coaching experience doesn’t stop there. He coached the boys and girls teams at Acton Boxborough Regional High School for two years, winning conference championships in both seasons. He has also assisted with the SMASH Volleyball Club, which is one of the top junior programs in New England. Possibly his most prestigious accomplishment came when he coached for Spike and Serve Volleyball Club in Hawaii, a club that is considered to be the best in all of Hawaii and one of the top programs in the United States.
Looking ahead to this coming year, Vautrin is hopeful the Lasers will be able to complete the spring season with no hiccups due to COVID-19. Although most athletics have been postponed, there is hope for the spring sports due to the rumors of a vaccine and the NCAA learning how to function more efficiently with the virus being so prevalent. Vautrin has a lot on his plate between recruiting new athletes and taking on two head coaching jobs for the first time. Add coronavirus unto the mix and it should be an interesting season for the men’s and women’s teams at Lasell.
Vautrin’s dedication to the sport of volleyball added with his experience and true passion for the game should help him in his quest to bring both the volleyball teams to a winning season if not a championship. Success has seemed to follow him wherever he goes, whether it’s coaching or playing the game. This is through consistency and hard work, he has earned these personal achievements and put himself in the position to get head coaching jobs. Overall, there is a lot of upside to Vautrin’s coaching career, and Lasell has a lot to look forward to.
