Lauren Calvin is in her second season as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Claflin University, where she is actively leading the rebuilding and development of the Lady Panthers volleyball program. Since taking over the program, Calvin has focused on establishing a culture built on discipline, accountability, and sisterhood while developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
During her time at Claflin, Calvin has already begun making an impact within the university and surrounding community, earning several honors and recognitions for her leadership, mentorship, and influence through the sport of volleyball. In 2026, she was invited to serve as a speaker at the Fourth Annual South Carolina Women’s Leadership Symposium hosted by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, where she shared her perspective on mentorship, leadership, and the power of influence through athletics.
A South Carolina native, Calvin spent part of her childhood living and playing volleyball in Europe, an experience that helped shape her global perspective of the game. Her holistic approach to volleyball stems from a deep commitment to mentoring and developing athletes within the same communities that helped shape her, while her international exposure continues to influence her understanding of the strategic IQ and global style of the game.
A former NCAA Division I student-athlete, Calvin ultimately chose to attend Claflin University over the opportunity to play at her parents’ alma mater after connecting deeply with the university’s culture and community. Now serving as head coach, she remains committed to giving back to the same institution that helped shape her journey.
In addition to her collegiate coaching responsibilities, Calvin brings extensive experience from the national club volleyball circuit. She has coached at the national level for five years and, during her first two seasons coaching 16U National Elite teams within the South Carolina Midlands program, led both teams to earn bids to national championship tournaments. After achieving success at that level, Calvin intentionally shifted her focus to working with younger age groups to emphasize fundamental skill development and long-term athlete growth.
Throughout her club coaching career, Calvin has coached and developed many of the region’s top-performing athletes and is recognized as a key developer of volleyball talent across the Southeastern region of the United States.
Calvin is also the Founder and CEO of Volleyball University (VU) – School of Champions, a training and mentorship organization dedicated to developing young athletes across the region. Through Volleyball University, she provides high-level training while mentoring athletes in leadership, discipline, and personal growth.
As the Lady Panthers program continues to grow under her leadership, Calvin remains committed to building a competitive culture that prepares student-athletes for success in volleyball, academics, and life beyond the game.
