Smart, Deacs Excited to Return

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Hailing from Southern California, Wake Forest Volleyball Coach Randi Smart is still adjusting to life in Winston-Salem.

In many ways, she's adapting and thriving while bringing her west coast spirit to the Wake Forest community. For instance, Coach Smart recently acquired citrus trees and is attempting to grow both lemons and limes here in Winston-Salem.

"I'm going to figure out how to grow those things here," Smart said. "They might come in the house for winter, or my husband (Craig) will have to build a greenhouse."

Smart joined the volleyball coaching staff at Wake Forest in 2017 and was named the new full-time head coach in October 2019. Wake Forest Director of Athletics John Currie made the announcement in front of the team stripping the 'interim' tag off Smart for good.

"It was humbling and beautiful," Smart said. "It was a lot of fun. I didn't know what was going on and I walked in on practice. John was there, along with cameras, so I kind of figured that was what was going on, but you're never prepared for it."

The volleyball Deacs were clearly excited at the news, showing their collective jubilation with screams and hugs.

"When they were genuinely excited and ran over and hugged me, it wasn't staged," Smart said. "It was real. That was the most powerful moment — the genuine look of excitement on the girls' faces."

Returning senior Caroline Kuhn was thrilled with the decision.

"I really can't explain the feeling I had when Randi was announced as the head coach," Kuhn said. "Randi is such a special human being. You don't meet many people like her anywhere. Just to have the opportunity to learn and grow, both as a volleyball player and as a person, under her is just the biggest blessing in every aspect. She cares about you off the court like one of her kids."

The Deacs won their first seven contests last season and started with a 10-1 record before injuries started to mount.

"We played some really great volleyball at the start of the season," Smart said. "We beat some really good teams with a setter (Madeline Holt) with a splint on her hand."

After a rough patch in the middle of the season, the Deacs won three of their last four, including a five-set classic at Chapel Hill over UNC to close the season.

"The only time we were close to 100 percent healthy was the last two weeks of the season," Smart said.

Smart is confident the team can build off those successes and put together a strong campaign in 2020.

"This is one of the strongest teams in terms of depth since I've been here," she said. "We have a great recruiting class coming in, but we have to keep people healthy."

To better facilitate those goals, the staff changed the approach in the weight room in the spring.

"Where we got the team mentally and physically in March was so promising," Smart said. "I think they will carry some of that mentality with them during this period. If that carries into August or September, whenever we get started here, we're going to have a really nice 2020. It's a great group of kids. They're really learning how to fight back and lead.

"I loved our spring. I hated that we had to leave in March. We were just coming into our own and were ready to play somebody else, but I think the kids are mature enough to hold onto it. I know we had a shortened spring, but it was a great January and February for us."

All the spring exhibition matches were canceled when the COVID-19 pandemic started affecting collegiate sports in March, meaning the Deacs are that much more eager to get back to work together in the fall.

"They miss their teammates and the court," Smart said. "We're ready to be a Wake Forest volleyball team again. Their mood seems good. We talk to them multiple times a week. Zoom call, first 20 minutes is them goofing around."

Kuhn is convinced they are prepared for big accomplishments this coming season.

"I think our team mindset coming back is just pure excitement," she said. "Everyone is hungry and ready to get back. I can't wait to make the most of it in my last year."

And with those lemon and lime trees now strangely sprouting in Winston-Salem, Smart has found a home at Wake Forest University.

"It's a beautiful place, and it's easy to get back and forth to work," she said. "I love North Carolina. I can't say enough about the way Wake Forest takes care of its students, and the way they treat the student-athletes. I'm really honored to represent Wake Forest. It's such a great place."

Wake Forest Athletics

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