ASU’s new beach volleyball coach Kristen Rohr establishes home in Phoenix

Kristen Rohr had never been to Arizona prior to her first interview with Grand Canyon University eight years ago. However, in taking the beach volleyball head coaching position at Arizona State, she has locked in the Valley as her home.

In eight years at GCU, Rohr led the Lopes to a 148-71 record, including NCAA Tournament appearances in their last two seasons. In 2022, Rohr was named the 2022 Collegiate Beach Volleyball coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. 

Now, she’ll make a hop and skip over to Tempe to begin her tenure at ASU. The move, albeit just 18 miles between campuses, is massive for Rohr. The ability to coach at a Power Five program with the investment the Sun Devils have was a major factor in her decision to take the job.

“When I came to my interview, everyone that I spoke to was so welcoming,” Rohr said. “They were so knowledgeable, they were so bought into the future success of the beach volleyball program.  When you have the backing of everyone in the administration, like top all the way down, it makes it a lot easier to be successful when you have that support.”

However, the ability to stay in her new found home in the Valley was the biggest factor. Rohr met her husband in the area and just moved into a house in the Valley. Also, after years of making cross-country trips to Florida to see her mom, she just completed the process of moving her out to the Grand Canyon State. 

Despite not having the connection before, her short time at GCU convinced her that Arizona is her home.

“I think probably after even like two years I was like, ‘Arizona really just feels like home,’” Rohr said. “It's just something about everything, the people, the community, I love the weather. There's just something about Arizona that has definitely won me over.”

In terms of what ASU is getting out of their new coach, Rhor promises to bring a player’s coach attitude with lots of passion. The raucous energy that was present at her games at GCU will certainly make their way to Tempe, according to Rhor. That passion was something that stood out and was the main reason the Arizona State Athletic Department made her the new coach.

"A combination of consistent success at her previous stop and a desire to pursue this job made Kristen the ideal candidate to lead our beach volleyball program going forward,” Vice President of University Athletics Ray Anderson said in a release. “She has a passion and energy that is contagious, and she has a proven track record for guiding student-athletes to succeed. I am excited to see how our program develops under her leadership."

After spending eight years building the Lopes into a yearly contender, ASU presents a new challenge. The Sun Devils were 11-13 a year ago, including two losses against the Rohr led Grand Canyon squad. But in a talent-rich state with a passion for the sport, Rohr doesn’t see any reason that Arizona State cannot succeed immediately.

“I don't think there's any reason why we can't have a record breaking season this year,” Rohr said. “Between talking to some transfers and just trying to find pieces that can even get us above top 15 this year. I don't think that's an unrealistic goal.”

“If you're not setting your goals really high, what are you really doing?”