WBK: Kelley Sundberg named new head coach for Lasers

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University athletic department is pleased to announce that Kelley Sundberg has been named head women's basketball coach, effective immediately.

The assistant women's basketball coach the past three seasons at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Sundberg also served two years as an assistant coach at Mansfield (Pa.) University, both schools in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). She was a four-year veteran and three-year starter at PSAC member Gannon University in Erie, Pa., earning All-PSAC West honors three times and helping the team to three NCAA Tournament berths.

"We are extremely happy to welcome Kelley to the Lasell community, and look forward to working with her as a member of the Laser Athletics family," said director of athletics Kristy Walter. "We had an outstanding group of applicants for the job but Kelley rose to the top. She has gained valuable experience in her previous coaching stints and we believe she will be an outstanding leader for the student-athletes in our women's basketball program."

A native of Mansfield, Connecticut, Sundberg helped Seton Hill to a combined record of 33-26 record over two seasons with two PSAC post-season berths from 2018-20 before this past season was canceled. The 2019-20 squad also earned the top spot in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll. In her two seasons at Mansfield, she helped the Mountaineers earn their first postseason berth in 11 years and only the third PSAC Tournament appearance in school history.  Two players were named to the All-PSAC team for the first time in over 10 seasons at Mansfield.

As a student-athlete, Sundberg started 107 games at point guard in four years at Gannon, including every game during her last three seasons. She was a three-time All-PSAC West selection and helped the Golden Knights to three NCAA Tournament berths including the NCAA Atlantic Regional title in 2013 to advance to the Elite Eight. She ranks fifth on the Gannon all-time assists list with 574 and 10th in free throw percentage at 76.8%.  Kelley also played a fifth year of women's lacrosse at Gannon where she scored 21 goals.

"I am honored to be named the head coach for the Lasell University women's basketball program," said Sundberg. "This is a very exciting time to become a part of the Laser family. I want to thank Athletic Director Kristy Walter and the search committee for giving me this opportunity to lead the women's basketball program. My goal is to empower the players to succeed on the court and in the classroom. I aim to lead the program to compete at the highest level within the GNAC conference and to equip these young women with the tools necessary to succeed in life after Lasell." 

Sundberg inherits a Laser squad that posted a 10-14 overall record in 2019-20 under former head coach Todd Montana, the program's best record in four seasons. Sundberg will look to build on this record and take the team back to the GNAC Tournament.

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