Genny Volpe

Biography

Entering 2026, her 23nd year as head coach at Rice, Genny Volpe has established the Owl volleyball program as a power in the Southwest. Under Volpe's watch, the Owls have been to nine NCAA tournaments (2004, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019, spring 2021, fall 2021, 2022, 2025), the only nine appearances in Rice's history. Volpe was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame on October 27, 2023. The sixth head coach in Rice volleyball history, Volpe holds the program record for both career wins (434-227 overall) and highest career winning percentage (.657). The 2025 American coach of the year, 2020-21 AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year and also a two-time C-USA Coach of the Year (2008 and 2018), Volpe has led the Owls to six conference championships under her watch (Conference USA: 2009, 2018, 2020-21, 2021, 2022, 2025). Under Volpe, the Owls have finished in the top four of their conference 17 times, including two first-place (2018 and 2025) and six second-place finishes (2004, 2011, 2012, 2019, 2022 and 2024). In addition, Volpe serves as the American Conference representative on the AVCA Division I Head Coaches Committee. While at the helm for the Owls, Volpe has coached 16 All-Americans, and 84 all-conference selections. Under Volpe, Rice players have received a conference Player of the Week award 138 times. Success for Volpe's athletes is not limited to the volleyball floor, as 48 Owls have been tabbed as conference All-Academic Team selections (23 C-USA, 25 American). In a