Genny Volpe Signs Extension Through 2026
2/9/2022 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
All-time winningest coach in program history
HOUSTON – Rice Volleyball's all-time winningest head coach Genny Volpe has agreed to an extension that will run through the 2026 season, Rice Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard announced on Wednesday (2/9).
"Genny Volpe has built our volleyball program into one of the nation's best, leading us to unprecedented heights," Karlgaard said. "She's an exceptional coach who cares deeply about her student-athletes and our university, and I couldn't be more excited for the future of Rice Volleyball."
"I want to thank President Leebron, Joe Karlgaard, and Tanner Gardner for this commitment to myself and my family," said Volpe. "I am honored to continue to lead the Rice Volleyball program, and I'm blessed to have the opportunity to coach the sport I love at such an amazing university. I believe Rice truly has the best to offer in academics and athletics, and the ability to provide endless opportunities for young, aspiring student athletes."
"We will constantly strive to be the best version of ourselves, and work hard to continue to make our Rice Volleyball alumni, supporters, and fans proud. I also want to take this time to thank all of our former players that have helped build this program and continue to show support for our team. It truly means the world to us, and I am excited to continue to build upon previous successes that this program has achieved. We are looking forward to experiencing more success here on South Main, and to keep elevating Rice Volleyball on the national stage. And as always, go Owls!"
Volpe guided the Owls to the program's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance (all under her watch) this past fall season, her 18th on South Main, and the team's fourth straight overall appearance on the grand stage.
The Owls went 20-7 overall in the fall and reached the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons, sweeping San Diego in the opening round.
It marked the Owls fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, which puts them in elite company. Rice joined Texas and Baylor as the only programs in the state of Texas to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons and are one of just 21 programs across NCAA Division I to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons. It was the Owls third straight NCAA Tournament appearance via an at-large bid and the fifth such occurrence under Volpe.
The 2021 fall season also saw the Owls reach the C-USA Championship match for a fourth straight season and the seventh time in program history after winning the West Division crown for a second straight season with a 12-0 mark. Dating back to 2014, the Owls are 92-20 (.821) in C-USA play including a 47-3 record (.940) over the last three seasons. The Owls have won 26 consecutive C-USA regular season matches dating back to 2019.
Since the 2018 season the Owls have recorded 10 victories over Power Five programs, including wins over the No. 3 and No. 2 ranked Texas Longhorns in consecutive seasons. Rice finished the 2021 fall season ranked No. 23 in the final RPI rankings and received votes through the entirety of the season in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
Under Volpe's watch the Owls have compiled 69 all-conference selections, 21 C-USA All-Academic winners, 16 All-Americans, and 105 league Player of the Week awards. This past season the Owls placed three players on the AVCA Southwest Team, with the C-USA Setter of the Year Carly Graham also earning VolleyballMag.com Second Team All-American honors and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention accolades. Nicole Lennon, Rice's all-time leader in kills, also earned VolleyballMag.com All-American Honorable Mention honors.
Volpe, who has compiled an all-time record of 349-194 (.642), and the Owls have recorded 10 seasons of 20 or more wins, including seven in the last eight years with the lone exception coming in the shortened spring season of 2021. Volpe also earned the AVCA Southwest Coach of the Year in the spring of 2021.
-RiceOwls.com-
"Genny Volpe has built our volleyball program into one of the nation's best, leading us to unprecedented heights," Karlgaard said. "She's an exceptional coach who cares deeply about her student-athletes and our university, and I couldn't be more excited for the future of Rice Volleyball."
"I want to thank President Leebron, Joe Karlgaard, and Tanner Gardner for this commitment to myself and my family," said Volpe. "I am honored to continue to lead the Rice Volleyball program, and I'm blessed to have the opportunity to coach the sport I love at such an amazing university. I believe Rice truly has the best to offer in academics and athletics, and the ability to provide endless opportunities for young, aspiring student athletes."
"We will constantly strive to be the best version of ourselves, and work hard to continue to make our Rice Volleyball alumni, supporters, and fans proud. I also want to take this time to thank all of our former players that have helped build this program and continue to show support for our team. It truly means the world to us, and I am excited to continue to build upon previous successes that this program has achieved. We are looking forward to experiencing more success here on South Main, and to keep elevating Rice Volleyball on the national stage. And as always, go Owls!"
Volpe guided the Owls to the program's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance (all under her watch) this past fall season, her 18th on South Main, and the team's fourth straight overall appearance on the grand stage.
The Owls went 20-7 overall in the fall and reached the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons, sweeping San Diego in the opening round.
It marked the Owls fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, which puts them in elite company. Rice joined Texas and Baylor as the only programs in the state of Texas to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons and are one of just 21 programs across NCAA Division I to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons. It was the Owls third straight NCAA Tournament appearance via an at-large bid and the fifth such occurrence under Volpe.
The 2021 fall season also saw the Owls reach the C-USA Championship match for a fourth straight season and the seventh time in program history after winning the West Division crown for a second straight season with a 12-0 mark. Dating back to 2014, the Owls are 92-20 (.821) in C-USA play including a 47-3 record (.940) over the last three seasons. The Owls have won 26 consecutive C-USA regular season matches dating back to 2019.
Since the 2018 season the Owls have recorded 10 victories over Power Five programs, including wins over the No. 3 and No. 2 ranked Texas Longhorns in consecutive seasons. Rice finished the 2021 fall season ranked No. 23 in the final RPI rankings and received votes through the entirety of the season in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
Under Volpe's watch the Owls have compiled 69 all-conference selections, 21 C-USA All-Academic winners, 16 All-Americans, and 105 league Player of the Week awards. This past season the Owls placed three players on the AVCA Southwest Team, with the C-USA Setter of the Year Carly Graham also earning VolleyballMag.com Second Team All-American honors and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention accolades. Nicole Lennon, Rice's all-time leader in kills, also earned VolleyballMag.com All-American Honorable Mention honors.
Volpe, who has compiled an all-time record of 349-194 (.642), and the Owls have recorded 10 seasons of 20 or more wins, including seven in the last eight years with the lone exception coming in the shortened spring season of 2021. Volpe also earned the AVCA Southwest Coach of the Year in the spring of 2021.
-RiceOwls.com-
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