Rice University Athletics
Volpe Agrees to Contract Extension
2/20/2026 12:01:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON – Genny Volpe, who has led Rice Volleyball to nine NCAA regionals and six conference championships in a Hall of Fame career, has agreed to a contract extension that will run through the 2030 season.
"Coach Volpe's program epitomizes our mission of creating a best-in-class experience for our student-athletes," Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland said. She has built a program that is respected nationwide for its level of success on the court and in the classroom, and I am confident the coming years will see new chapters added to this impressive legacy."
"I am extremely excited to continue to lead the Rice volleyball program and truly believe the best is yet to come," coach Volpe said. "Rice volleyball has been such a huge part of my life for many years, and I can't think of a better place to be. I wholeheartedly trust in our mission, to cultivate championship-caliber programs through elite development of our student-athletes on every level. I want to thank President DesRoches and Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland for their continued support and leadership. RFND!"
Volpe guided the Owls to the program's first American Conference championship after posting a 15-1 record in the regular season and earned their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last eight years and the ninth all-time, all under her leadership. The Owls were 19-8 in the regular season while facing the most ranked opponents (six) in a regular season since 1992.
She was named the American Conference Coach of the Year last year, adding to her two Conference USA Coach of the Year honors (2008, 2018), and she was named the 2020-21 AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year.
Volpe has compiled an all-time record of 434-227 (.667), and the Owls have recorded 12 seasons of 20 or more wins, including nine in the last 11 years.
Under her watch, the Owls have compiled 16 All-Americans, 84 all-conference selections, 138 conference Player of the Week honorees on the court, and 48 conference All-Academic team selections.
In the fall of 2023, she was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.
"Coach Volpe's program epitomizes our mission of creating a best-in-class experience for our student-athletes," Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland said. She has built a program that is respected nationwide for its level of success on the court and in the classroom, and I am confident the coming years will see new chapters added to this impressive legacy."
"I am extremely excited to continue to lead the Rice volleyball program and truly believe the best is yet to come," coach Volpe said. "Rice volleyball has been such a huge part of my life for many years, and I can't think of a better place to be. I wholeheartedly trust in our mission, to cultivate championship-caliber programs through elite development of our student-athletes on every level. I want to thank President DesRoches and Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland for their continued support and leadership. RFND!"
Volpe guided the Owls to the program's first American Conference championship after posting a 15-1 record in the regular season and earned their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last eight years and the ninth all-time, all under her leadership. The Owls were 19-8 in the regular season while facing the most ranked opponents (six) in a regular season since 1992.
She was named the American Conference Coach of the Year last year, adding to her two Conference USA Coach of the Year honors (2008, 2018), and she was named the 2020-21 AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year.
Volpe has compiled an all-time record of 434-227 (.667), and the Owls have recorded 12 seasons of 20 or more wins, including nine in the last 11 years.
Under her watch, the Owls have compiled 16 All-Americans, 84 all-conference selections, 138 conference Player of the Week honorees on the court, and 48 conference All-Academic team selections.
In the fall of 2023, she was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.
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