Photo by: Jaylynn Nash LLC
Wake Forest Announces Head Volleyball Coach Transition
12/14/2024 8:08:00 PM | General, Women's Volleyball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest University Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie announced today that Randi Smart will not continue as the Demon Deacons head volleyball coach.
"After a comprehensive review of the volleyball program, and with the support of President Susan R. Wente and University leadership, I have determined that it is time for a change in our head coaching position,'' said Currie. "With our No. 1 priority being able to provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience and the current trajectory of the program, this is the right time to make a change.
"I want to thank Coach Smart, her husband Craig and their children Tyler and Jordan for their dedication to our University community and volleyball student-athletes over the past six-plus years. We wish them the best as they move forward."
"I am proud of what we accomplished during my time as the head volleyball coach at Wake Forest," Randi Smart said. "Together with an exceptional group of athletes and staff, we achieved new milestones on and off the court, setting program records, elevating our level of competition, and building a foundation for future success. Our team broke records, including setting new attendance highs that reflect the growing support and enthusiasm for Wake Forest volleyball. These achievements are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and character of our student-athletes and staff, whom I was privileged to work with. While this chapter has come to a close, I leave with immense pride in what we achieved together and gratitude for the relationships formed along the way. I remain committed to the sport, the athletes, and the values that drive success both in competition and in life. I look forward to what comes next and will continue to support the growth of collegiate volleyball as both a coach and advocate for the sport."
"I am grateful to Coach Smart for her commitment to Wake Forest and her dedication to our student-athletes during her time as head volleyball coach," said President Susan R. Wente. "As we navigate this transition, our focus continues to be on supporting our student-athletes and ensuring they continue to receive exceptional academic and athletic experiences."
Coach Smart was named Wake Forest's 12th volleyball head coach in October 2019 and concluded her tenure with a 77-88 overall record and a 32-73 mark in ACC play. The team managed back-to-back 17-win seasons in 2022 and 2023 for the first time since 2000-01 and earned consecutive years with at least eight ACC victories for the first time since 2009-10. Also, the Deacs reached their first postseason appearance in 36 years at the 2022 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
"As we look to the future, we are committed to finding a head coach who will build a winning and sustainable program," Currie said. "With a talented returning roster, exceptional facilities, and Wake Forest's unique combination of academic and athletic excellence, this program is poised for continued growth and achievement. Our student-athletes remain our top priority, and we look forward to an exciting new chapter for Wake Forest Volleyball."
2025 Season Outlook
The Wake Forest volleyball program will undergo significant roster changes ahead of the 2025 season, with multiple players graduating or taking next steps in their education. Graduates from the 2024 squad include Kalani Whillock and Kendall Phillips in December, followed by Olivia Franke, Jaime Santer, Tina Grkovic, and Laila Ricks in the spring or summer. Sahara Maruska is pursuing medical school.
Despite these departures, the Deacs are poised to return nine players, including four rising seniors who have been key contributors. Libero Emma Farrell, a three-time team leader in digs, finished second in ACC play with a 4.37 digs-per-set average in 2024. Outside hitter Paige Crawford has led Wake Forest in kills for three consecutive seasons and tied for 14th in program history with 39 service aces this year. Setter Rian Baker reached the 2,000-assist career milestone in November, while middle blocker Olivia Murphy returned from injury to start 15 matches in 2024, earning Wake Forest Invitational All-Tournament honors.
Rising juniors include setter Elena Dragani and outside hitter Olivia Fish, who redshirted this season due to injury. Three sophomores—setter Becca Bellows, defensive specialist Dhru Lalaji, and Cy Rae Campbell—will also be back. Bellows had a strong freshman season, finishing second on the roster in assists and recording four double-doubles.
The Deacs will also welcome three freshmen—Bailey Warren, Kelis Hawkins, and Sadie Poeck—as part of their Class of 2025. With nine returners and three newcomers, Wake Forest enters the offseason with a mix of experience and fresh talent.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is known for its distinctive combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 4 athletics in a top-growing metro market. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 59 conference titles and are one of only 10 ACC schools to win 10 or more national championships, along with Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Syracuse, Cal, Stanford, SMU and Florida State. Additionally, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which includes 1.3M residents and was ranked as ESPN's seventh-best market from a viewership perspective.
Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing many academic offerings to students from across the nation and around the world.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
"After a comprehensive review of the volleyball program, and with the support of President Susan R. Wente and University leadership, I have determined that it is time for a change in our head coaching position,'' said Currie. "With our No. 1 priority being able to provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience and the current trajectory of the program, this is the right time to make a change.
"I want to thank Coach Smart, her husband Craig and their children Tyler and Jordan for their dedication to our University community and volleyball student-athletes over the past six-plus years. We wish them the best as they move forward."
"I am proud of what we accomplished during my time as the head volleyball coach at Wake Forest," Randi Smart said. "Together with an exceptional group of athletes and staff, we achieved new milestones on and off the court, setting program records, elevating our level of competition, and building a foundation for future success. Our team broke records, including setting new attendance highs that reflect the growing support and enthusiasm for Wake Forest volleyball. These achievements are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and character of our student-athletes and staff, whom I was privileged to work with. While this chapter has come to a close, I leave with immense pride in what we achieved together and gratitude for the relationships formed along the way. I remain committed to the sport, the athletes, and the values that drive success both in competition and in life. I look forward to what comes next and will continue to support the growth of collegiate volleyball as both a coach and advocate for the sport."
"I am grateful to Coach Smart for her commitment to Wake Forest and her dedication to our student-athletes during her time as head volleyball coach," said President Susan R. Wente. "As we navigate this transition, our focus continues to be on supporting our student-athletes and ensuring they continue to receive exceptional academic and athletic experiences."
Coach Smart was named Wake Forest's 12th volleyball head coach in October 2019 and concluded her tenure with a 77-88 overall record and a 32-73 mark in ACC play. The team managed back-to-back 17-win seasons in 2022 and 2023 for the first time since 2000-01 and earned consecutive years with at least eight ACC victories for the first time since 2009-10. Also, the Deacs reached their first postseason appearance in 36 years at the 2022 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
"As we look to the future, we are committed to finding a head coach who will build a winning and sustainable program," Currie said. "With a talented returning roster, exceptional facilities, and Wake Forest's unique combination of academic and athletic excellence, this program is poised for continued growth and achievement. Our student-athletes remain our top priority, and we look forward to an exciting new chapter for Wake Forest Volleyball."
2025 Season Outlook
The Wake Forest volleyball program will undergo significant roster changes ahead of the 2025 season, with multiple players graduating or taking next steps in their education. Graduates from the 2024 squad include Kalani Whillock and Kendall Phillips in December, followed by Olivia Franke, Jaime Santer, Tina Grkovic, and Laila Ricks in the spring or summer. Sahara Maruska is pursuing medical school.
Despite these departures, the Deacs are poised to return nine players, including four rising seniors who have been key contributors. Libero Emma Farrell, a three-time team leader in digs, finished second in ACC play with a 4.37 digs-per-set average in 2024. Outside hitter Paige Crawford has led Wake Forest in kills for three consecutive seasons and tied for 14th in program history with 39 service aces this year. Setter Rian Baker reached the 2,000-assist career milestone in November, while middle blocker Olivia Murphy returned from injury to start 15 matches in 2024, earning Wake Forest Invitational All-Tournament honors.
Rising juniors include setter Elena Dragani and outside hitter Olivia Fish, who redshirted this season due to injury. Three sophomores—setter Becca Bellows, defensive specialist Dhru Lalaji, and Cy Rae Campbell—will also be back. Bellows had a strong freshman season, finishing second on the roster in assists and recording four double-doubles.
The Deacs will also welcome three freshmen—Bailey Warren, Kelis Hawkins, and Sadie Poeck—as part of their Class of 2025. With nine returners and three newcomers, Wake Forest enters the offseason with a mix of experience and fresh talent.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is known for its distinctive combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 4 athletics in a top-growing metro market. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 59 conference titles and are one of only 10 ACC schools to win 10 or more national championships, along with Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Syracuse, Cal, Stanford, SMU and Florida State. Additionally, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which includes 1.3M residents and was ranked as ESPN's seventh-best market from a viewership perspective.
Wake Forest's comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school and an innovative department of engineering. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, DC – providing many academic offerings to students from across the nation and around the world.
Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.
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