A star middle blocker at Wasilla High, Rosen went on to become an NCAA All-American at Ohio State before making her mark as a Division I coach. Rosen, one of the first Alaskans to play Division I volleyball, played four stellar seasons at Ohio State, starting her career as the 1988 Big Ten freshman of the year and ending it as an All-American as a senior in 1991. She helped the Buckeyes to two Big Ten conference championships and three NCAA Tournaments and was a leader on the team that made it to the 1991 national semifinals. Her 1,428 kills remain the most by an Alaskan at the NCAA Division I level and her 1,341 digs are No. 2 among Alaskans. After college she spent 24 years coaching the University of Michigan volleyball team — her husband, Mark, was the head coach and she was the associate head coach. Together they took the Wolverines to 19 NCAA Tournaments. In 2023 Rosen became the head coach at Fresno State and led the Bulldogs to the Mountain West Conference and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002.
Leisa Rosen (Wissler)
