Cal State East Bay University Athletics

Kimberly Lambert was named named Head Coach for women's volleyball in 2018 following the retirement of Jim Spagle. As an assistant coach under Spagle for 10 seasons, including three as associate head coach, her duties included working with the middle hitters, coordinating recruiting, and planning travel for the Pioneers.

In 2024, the Pioneers made a run leading up to the final night of the regular season to secure a spot in the CCAA Tournament. 

The Pioneers under Lambert's leadership made a tremendous turnaround in 2022 from the previous season. With only eight wins in 2021, the following season included 20 wins and a No. 4 seed in the CCAA Tournament. 

In Lambert's first season as head coach for the Pioneers in 2018, the team reached the semifinals for the CCAA Tournament. They also were awarded an at-large bid for the NCAA Division II West Regionals. 

In 2016 and 2017, Lambert helped lead East Bay to its first two berths in the CCAA postseason tournament. The Pioneers made the semifinal round and finished 18-11 in 2017, led by middle blocker Deja Thompson, who became the first CSUEB player of the CCAA era to be named AVCA All-American.

After the Pioneers finished in a tie for second-place in the CCAA in 2010, two of Lambert’s middle hitters – Brianna Bryant and Kitona Offord – were named to the COBRA Magazine All-West Region Team. Lambert also helped Spagle bring in an impressive recruiting class of 14 talented transfers and freshmen for the 2011 season.

Lambert played two seasons at middle hitter for the Cal State Monterey Bay, completing her career ranked among the top 10 in single-season kills, aces, blocks and points for CSUMB. As a senior captain, Lambert helped guide the Otters to a 12-19 overall record and an 8-9 mark in conference play, while going 9-3 in home matches.

Prior to her arrival at Cal State Monterey Bay, Lambert did one-year stints at Northern Michigan and Delta College. As a sophomore at Delta, she held the California state record for blocks. Lambert graduated with distinction in kinesiology with a concentration in sports management from Cal State Monterey Bay in 2008.