Hope Neargarder joined the Fighting Scots as head volleyball coach in May 2025. A native of Union City, Ohio, Neargarder was the head coach at Northland College before coming to Monmouth.Â
Neargarder led the LumberJills for two seasons and the 2024 team included three CSC Academic All-District selections. The 2023 squad went 9-15 with a 5-9 record in UMAC play. The 2023 team had nine Academic All-Conference selections and one Honorable Mention All-Conference selection.Â
Prior to joining Northland, Neargarder was an assistant coach at Illinois College for two seasons, helping the Lady Blues to a pair of MWC Tournament appearances. She was also an assistant coach at Division III Wilmington College and a club coach in Ohio. Neargarder started her coaching career at Division 1 Miami (Ohio) University as a graduate assistant from 2017-19.Â
As a player, Neargarder appeared in 95 matches for Defiance College as an outside hitter. She averaged 1.73 kills per set as a senior in 2016 while majoring in athletic training. In addition to volleyball, Neargarder played basketball at Mississinawa Valley High School in Ohio.Â
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