Following a successful stint as an assistant coach at Messiah from 2019-24, Kendra Herbenar was named the assistant head coach of the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse program in preparation for the 2025 campaign.
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Herbenar arrived in Newport News with an extensive résumé after spending the past decade at Messiah. Along with her six-year tenure on the sidelines, she also pieced together an All-American playing career with the Falcons.
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Serving as an assistant coach during one of the most successful stretches in Messiah history, Herbenar helped lead the Falcons to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Regional Finals in 2021. In her six years on the sidelines, she helped the program compile a 65-35 record, including a remarkable 34-5 ledger in the vaunted MAC Commonwealth Conference.
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Headlining her work with the Falcons, Herbenar played an integral role during the school's historic 2021 campaign. During that year, Messiah tied the single-season program record with 18 victories while claiming the league championship. Eventually, the team wrapped up the year slotted fifth in the IWLCA National Coaches Poll while boasting the country's eighth-ranked scoring defense.
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Coaching some of the top players in Messiah history, Herbenar helped five Falcons earn All-American accolades, including a pair of first-team honorees.
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Prior to her work as an assistant coach, Herbenar was equally successful as a four-year standout at Messiah. During her playing career, she secured a pair of first-team All-Conference plaudits and was named the MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. Along with her league laurels, she was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Region selection during her senior campaign. Additionally, she was celebrated as an IWLCA North-South Senior All-Star.
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Finishing her tenure as one of the top defensive juggernauts in Messiah history, Herbenar capped off her career ranked third in program lore with 128 caused turnovers, 10th with 134 draw controls, and 12th with 139 ground balls. Her 74 appearances also marked the sixth-most by a Falcon.
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Adding a fitting punctuation mark to her collegiate career, Herbenar established a new school record with 57 takeaways as a senior. Meanwhile, her 92 draw controls marked the second-highest total by a Falcon, and her 67 ground balls placed her third on the program's all-time single-season charts. Incredibly versatile, she was one of only five players in the NCAA to register at least 50 caused turnovers, 50 ground balls, and 90 draws in 2018.
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During her four-year stint on the field, Herbenar helped Messiah post a 59-18 record, including a pristine 32-0 mark in league action. Along the way, the Falcons claimed four straight conference championships and made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2017.
