Lillian Rose
A native of Fredericktown, Ohio, Rose attended Fredericktown High School and spent three years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University before joining the Bengals.
Rose brings an extensive multi-sport background to UMFK. She competed in volleyball and basketball for 10 years, club volleyball for six years, track and field for four years, wrestling for three years and AAU basketball for two years.
In high school volleyball, Rose served as a team captain, was twice named Offensive Player of the Year and earned All-Conference and Central District recognition. She helped Fredericktown win four KMAC championships and a sectional championship, finish as district runner-up and earned three varsity letters.
Rose also achieved at a high level in track and field, basketball and wrestling. She was a three-time district qualifier in the shot put, received the MVP Field Events Award and recorded 21 top-three meet finishes. In wrestling, she became a top-20 female wrestler in Ohio, received the Outstanding Wrestler Leadership Award and recorded 11 top-three tournament finishes.
At UMFK, Rose has earned Second Team All-American honors and been named Offensive Player of the Year. During the 2025 season, she ranked seventh overall among USCAA Division I players. She also ranked among the national leaders in kills, attacks, points, points per set, kills per set and service aces.
Rose considers her proudest athletic accomplishment to be participating in Fredericktown’s first girls’ wrestling program during the year the Ohio High School Athletic Association recognized the sport for official competition. She reached the state’s top 20 during her first season. The achievement is meaningful because she helped establish the program, generate interest among younger athletes and create opportunities for girls in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Outside of athletics, Rose credits Dr. Mathew Curran as an important influence at UMFK. His encouragement, willingness to reach out and refusal to let her quit have helped her grow as a student. She appreciates his commitment to UMFK Athletics, which extends beyond the classroom.
Rose also accomplished something unusual academically: she attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University concurrently while in high school and graduated with both her high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree.
Away from volleyball, Rose enjoys reading, kayaking, hiking, traveling outside the United States and skydiving. Her favorite television show is House, and she supports the Columbus Fury professional volleyball team. Her favorite foods are Chipotle and crème brûlée. One fact people may not know about her is that she was a vegetarian for nine years.
Rose is grateful for the support of her mother, Dani Rose, and her former coaches Roni Masters, Kelsey Budd, Lori Breigel and Greg Davidson. Her personal motto is a quote from Jim Rohn: “Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.”
