Kristen Masters
Kristen was born and raised in Sheridan County, and graduated from the University of Wyoming with degrees in English and Art [Graphic Design]. She lives in Dayton with her husband [Jake] and son [Mac], and works full-time as a freelance designer.
Volleyball Experience
• Kristen was a three-sport athlete throughout high school, where she was fortunate enough to be part of multiple state-placing and regional championship teams, a state championship basketball team, and an individual state championship in discus during her senior track season.
• She was a multi-year All-Conference and All-State selection for track, and an All-Conference/All-State selection for volleyball her senior year.
• As a senior, Kristen was named to the North roster for the WCF North-South All-Star volleyball game [2009].
• Following high school, Kristen was awarded academic and athletic scholarships at Augustana College [Sioux Falls, SD], where she competed during indoor and outdoor track seasons in the throws events. She later transferred to the University of Wyoming, where she continued to compete in the weight throw and hammer events for two more years.
• Her coaching career began in 2016, where she served as the 7th grade coach for Tongue River Middle School for three years, before taking over as head coach in 2019. During this time, she also coached several U12/U14 club teams.
• In 2023, Kristen was named head coach at Tongue River High School, and was named the Powder River Conference Coach of the Year in 2024.
• In 2025, she was nominated to coach the North volleyball team during the Wyoming Coaches Foundation All-Star Game.
Why do I coach?
“I coach because I've had a handful of wonderful coaches in my life who not only helped shape the kind of athlete and competitor I became, but also the kind of human I wanted to be—well after my days as an athlete. Coaching has become my way of giving back with the hope that I might also get to have even a small part in another athlete's journey to becoming the kind of person they want to be on and off the court. I also get to be around a sport that I absolutely love, and the friendships I've developed along the way have been some of my longest-standing and most valued relationships I have.”
What do I look forward to teaching my team?
“You're never going to be too big for the 'little' things: Fall in love with fundamentals [because they're not going anywhere—and the best in the world still work on them!], and fall in love with the things outside of volleyball that make you a better volleyball player [physical and mental health, positive relationships, giving time to your other interests]. And get creative with your play! The game becomes so much more fun along the way when you discover how to make it uniquely your own.”
Why the philosophy of coaching "person first, athlete second" is important to me:
“The best coaches I've had throughout my career as an athlete have left me with experiences that not only made an impact on my play, but on the ways I've developed into who I am today—well outside of my identity as an athlete.
Every athlete is different, and my favorite coaches were aware of this [and coached accordingly] while also maintaining an equal standard of upholding values and providing character-building opportunities for every player that went through their program.
We're athletes [and coaches*] right now, so let's become as good as we can possibly get—while we still get to—at being those things. [But we're going to be humans forever, so let's be even better at being humans.]”
Other Tidbits
“Sports. Watching, playing, learning, researching, etc.—all things sports. I've also been around horses since I can remember. Most of my [limited] spare time is spent at the gym, reading, in a coffee shop, or traveling whenever and wherever I can. I love art museums, green curry, and Ted Lasso. I'm also left-handed [a daily inconvenience], I wish guacamole and lemon bars were calorie-free, and I'm not sure Spotify will ever truly know how to properly make sense of my taste in music.”