Photo by: Helen McGinnis / Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Hulsmeyer Ready for New Era in Leading Demon Deacons Volleyball
1/31/2025 8:50:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
As Wake Forest engaged in its search for the 13th Volleyball coach in program history, familiarity bred both comfort and competency.
Jeff Hulsmeyer served as assistant coach at Kansas State from 2009-14. Of course, current Wake Forest Vice President/Director of Athletics John Currie served in that same role for the Wildcats during Hulsmeyer's tenure. Wake Forest deputy athletic director Lindsey Babcock, who led the search, joined Currie's administrative team at Kansas State in 2012, so the symmetry between the trio was palpable.
"One of the first things was having worked with John (Currie) and Lindsey (Babcock) at Kansas State, so I knew how he ran his program," Hulsmeyer said. "Here, we're in a position to build, and often you want someone who's leading all the sports to be a builder. I know John and Lindsey have that capability. It was the perfect combination of support, and I feel like the Wake Forest program is ready to take a leap forward. I'm looking forward to being the catalyst to make that happen.
"It was very comfortable to reunite with them and see John's vision for Wake Forest coming together. At Kansas State, I saw his vision build from scratch. Here, he's already been working, so I can see the fruits of that labor. The volleyball program is ready for a run, and I want to help get it there."
After serving the last 10 seasons as an assistant at Florida State, where the Seminoles were included in the NCAA Tournament all but the 2020 campaign when the event did not take place, Hulsmeyer was eager to get an opportunity to lead an ACC-level program.
"It's really amazing," he said. "I'm so blessed to have this opportunity to be here at Wake Forest, bring my family, and join the Wake Forest family. There are so few opportunities to compete in the top conference in the country in volleyball, and I am so excited to join such a great athletics program here at Wake.
"I'm so prepared for this position. I was blessed not to have to move my family – I have four children, so we didn't have to relocate them during their formative high school years. But now, we're ready to take on the next challenge."
While Hulsmeyer found comfort in knowing both Currie and Babcock well, he also feels he's gained a grasp at where the Demon Deacons need to improve, having competed against them in ACC play the last decade.
"I don't have to worry about the learning curve," he said. "I know what it takes to be successful at this level and am familiar with the opponents, having played against them for the last 10 years. I'm very aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Wake Forest from competing against them through the years. I feel I know exactly what they need, and I jumped at the chance to provide that."
Wake Forest volleyball began competition in 1971, led for the first two seasons by the legendary Nora Lynn Finch. After a nine-season hiatus after the 1986 season, the volleyball program re-emerged in 1996. The program has yet to advance to NCAA Tournament competition.
"Obviously, we coaches are committed to being here and doing our best, but it starts with the athletes — that's the big thing," Hulsmeyer said. "There's so much to sell about Wake Forest. The academics here are unbelievable, and the support for all sports is outstanding. It's poised for a jump. Volleyball is the top conference in the ACC."
A University of Kentucky graduate with a B.S. in Political Science, Hulsmeyer began his coaching career leading Western Kentucky to a 74-42 combined record over three seasons from 1990-92. He has 278 career wins as a head coach combined in his tenure with the Hilltoppers, Arkansas State, Purdue and Georgetown College.
"We've had a couple of practices, and I feel great," Hulsmeyer said, speaking on being greeted by the current Wake Forest squad. "They're making me feel at home and I think they understand the direction we want to go. We're committed to loving and caring for each other and focusing on winning, as a world class student-athlete experience includes winning. That's our focus — to do what it takes to win in our program.
"The people here are amazing, the academics are exceptional, and the way the university works with athletics is symbiotic with the community."
Jeff Hulsmeyer served as assistant coach at Kansas State from 2009-14. Of course, current Wake Forest Vice President/Director of Athletics John Currie served in that same role for the Wildcats during Hulsmeyer's tenure. Wake Forest deputy athletic director Lindsey Babcock, who led the search, joined Currie's administrative team at Kansas State in 2012, so the symmetry between the trio was palpable.
"One of the first things was having worked with John (Currie) and Lindsey (Babcock) at Kansas State, so I knew how he ran his program," Hulsmeyer said. "Here, we're in a position to build, and often you want someone who's leading all the sports to be a builder. I know John and Lindsey have that capability. It was the perfect combination of support, and I feel like the Wake Forest program is ready to take a leap forward. I'm looking forward to being the catalyst to make that happen.
"It was very comfortable to reunite with them and see John's vision for Wake Forest coming together. At Kansas State, I saw his vision build from scratch. Here, he's already been working, so I can see the fruits of that labor. The volleyball program is ready for a run, and I want to help get it there."
After serving the last 10 seasons as an assistant at Florida State, where the Seminoles were included in the NCAA Tournament all but the 2020 campaign when the event did not take place, Hulsmeyer was eager to get an opportunity to lead an ACC-level program.
"It's really amazing," he said. "I'm so blessed to have this opportunity to be here at Wake Forest, bring my family, and join the Wake Forest family. There are so few opportunities to compete in the top conference in the country in volleyball, and I am so excited to join such a great athletics program here at Wake.
"I'm so prepared for this position. I was blessed not to have to move my family – I have four children, so we didn't have to relocate them during their formative high school years. But now, we're ready to take on the next challenge."
While Hulsmeyer found comfort in knowing both Currie and Babcock well, he also feels he's gained a grasp at where the Demon Deacons need to improve, having competed against them in ACC play the last decade.
"I don't have to worry about the learning curve," he said. "I know what it takes to be successful at this level and am familiar with the opponents, having played against them for the last 10 years. I'm very aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Wake Forest from competing against them through the years. I feel I know exactly what they need, and I jumped at the chance to provide that."
Wake Forest volleyball began competition in 1971, led for the first two seasons by the legendary Nora Lynn Finch. After a nine-season hiatus after the 1986 season, the volleyball program re-emerged in 1996. The program has yet to advance to NCAA Tournament competition.
"Obviously, we coaches are committed to being here and doing our best, but it starts with the athletes — that's the big thing," Hulsmeyer said. "There's so much to sell about Wake Forest. The academics here are unbelievable, and the support for all sports is outstanding. It's poised for a jump. Volleyball is the top conference in the ACC."
A University of Kentucky graduate with a B.S. in Political Science, Hulsmeyer began his coaching career leading Western Kentucky to a 74-42 combined record over three seasons from 1990-92. He has 278 career wins as a head coach combined in his tenure with the Hilltoppers, Arkansas State, Purdue and Georgetown College.
"We've had a couple of practices, and I feel great," Hulsmeyer said, speaking on being greeted by the current Wake Forest squad. "They're making me feel at home and I think they understand the direction we want to go. We're committed to loving and caring for each other and focusing on winning, as a world class student-athlete experience includes winning. That's our focus — to do what it takes to win in our program.
"The people here are amazing, the academics are exceptional, and the way the university works with athletics is symbiotic with the community."
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