Kansas State assistant coach Lauren Ramatowski was named head volleyball coach at The University of Tulsa, it was announced today. She becomes the eighth head coach in the 48-year history of the school’s volleyball program.
Ramatowski comes to Tulsa following one season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Kansas State, where the Wildcats posted a 15-14 record. She was responsible for leading K-State’s defensive system, including blocking, back-row defense and serving. The Wildcats finished first in the Big XII for blocks and service aces per set and second for digs per set.
“My family and I are excited about this wonderful opportunity to join the Tulsa athletics family. I am grateful to Rick Dickson and Crista Troester for trusting my vision for the volleyball program. It was clear in my conversations with Rick that Tulsa has high expectations for success both on and off the court for their student athletes. I am eager to bring that same vision to the volleyball program,” said Ramatowski.
Before her stint at K-State, Ramatowski spent two seasons as the assistant coach at Arkansas under head coach Jason Watson. Ramatowski helped the Lady Razorback squad post a 34-19 (.642) record, including 14 conference wins during the split 2020-21 campaign. In 2021, the Razorbacks reached the third round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
While with Arkansas, Ramatowski was responsible for working with and analyzing the Razorbacks’ defensive systems, specifically the middle blockers and liberos, as well as focusing on potential point-scoring opportunities.
Ramatowski also undertook marketing, social content and in-game experience responsibilities while at UA. She worked in coordination with the department’s marketing and social teams to cultivate a brand and improve the in-game experience at Barnhill Arena. In her time, the program set records in both season-ticket sales and single-game attendance in the Watson era.
“We’re excited to have Lauren, J.C., Tommy and Ella join The University of Tulsa athletics family,” said Rick Dickson, Tulsa’s vice president and director of athletics. “Lauren has extensive volleyball experience at multiple levels, including her final two stops at Arkansas and Kansas State. She has been instrumental at the school’s where she’s coached not only with on-court instruction, but in recruiting, player development and the overall organization and marketing of each program.”
Prior to her time in Fayetteville, Ramatowski served a two-year stint at Washburn University and was tabbed the 2018 USMC/AVCA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year. She helped guide the Ichabods to a 33-5 mark in 2018 and a berth in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship.
In 2019, Washburn posted a 27-4 record as her team checked in at No. 5 in the season’s final AVCA top-25 poll. The Ichabods had been ranked in the AVCA top 25 in 24 consecutive weeks during her time under head coach Chris Herron.
Ramatowski joined Washburn after serving as assistant coach at Houston Baptist in 2016, aiding in the team’s recruitment with official and unofficial visits. She helped the Huskies go 18-15 and earn the No. 4 seed in the Southland Conference tournament.
Also with experience at the club level, Ramatowski served as head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Mid-America Club (MAVS). In 2015, she directed the 14-1 Team to a 14th-place finish in the Open Division of the USA Volleyball Nationals. Her MAVS club was ranked No. 1 in the country in 2016 in their age division.
Additionally, she has also served on the coaching staffs at UTRGV (formerly UT-Pan American) and Truman State. She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Truman State in 2011 before joining UTPA in 2014
Before entering the college ranks, Ramatowski served two years (2015-16) as the head volleyball coach at St. Teresa’s Academy (Mo.). She led the St. Teresa’s varsity team to a Class 4A second-place performance at the state tournament and earned Region Coach of the Year honors in 2015.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Ramatowski graduated from Kansas State in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. She later earned her Master of Arts in leadership and sports administration from Truman State in 2012.
She is married to J.C. Ramatowski and the couple have two children, Tommy and Ella.
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