Sarah Bernson begins her third season as the Wendy Schaenen '79 Head Coach of Volleyball at Cornell University. Prior to her head coaching duties, Bernson spent five seasons as an assistant coach for the Big Red program.
Last season, Bernson led the Big Red’s young squad to a 4-20 record overall and a mark of 2-12 in the Ivy League. Following the year, junior Kelly Hansen was named second-team All-Ivy.
In her first year at the helm, Bernson led an underclassman-laden squad to a 6-19 record overall and a mark of 3-11 in the Ivy League, good for a sixth place in the conference standings. Under her tutelage, Megan Mushovic capped her incredible volleyball career with her fourth straight All-Ivy accolade, earning a second-team selection.
In her five seasons as an assistant, Bernson helped the program to three Ivy titles (2004, 2005, 2006) and two NCAA tournament appearances (2005 and 2006). She helped develop 16 All-Ivy performers over that span. Bernson was in charge of the program's recruiting and worked with the outside hitters, including the Big Red's all-time kills leader and first volleyball All-American in school history, Elizabeth Bishop '07.
Prior to Cornell, Bernson spent three years as an assistant coach at Cal State-Monterey Bay. She helped guide Monterey Bay to the school record for wins in a season in 2003, earning a league playoff bid and winning its first postseason game. The Otters jumped from ninth place in the league in her first year to a third-place finish in 2002. Bernson's player development skills led to the program's first all-conference players in 2003.
In addition to assisting the Otter volleyball program, Bernson was the sports information, marketing, and promotional coordinator for the athletic department. She also started and operated the Monterey Volleyball Club, a youth development program geared to middle school and high school student-athletes. As club director, she incorporated Otter volleyball players as coaches for the program.
Bernson played on the right side and outside at Saint Mary's (Calif.) before a severe knee injury ended her collegiate career in 1998. She remained active as team captain as a senior before graduating in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in English and art.
During college, Bernson served as a coach for the Albuquerque Elite and Lamorinda Volleyball Clubs. For Albuquerque, she assisted for two seasons for the 18-and-unders and helped them to regional titles along with wins at large tournaments such as the Colorado Crossroads. While on the coaching staff, she coached her sister, Nora, who played at UNLV, along with former Ivy League Player of the Year and Cornell grad Robin Moore `00. At Lamorinda, she worked with 16-and-under athletes.
Bernson was an all-state honoree as a middle blocker for St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque before moving on to Saint Mary's.
*Updated June 2010
