STAFF
EVE RACKHAM WATT | Head Coach
In January of 2024, Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White signed Rackham Watt to a contract extension through the 2028 season.
"From the time I arrived at Tennessee, it's been so much fun to watch Eve and her staff bring our volleyball program back to national prominence," White said. "Finishing in the top 10 of the national rankings for just the third time in school history points to the program's upward trajectory under her leadership. We are thrilled to announce this extension to keep Eve and her family on Rocky Top!"
During the 2023 campaign, Rackham Watt coached the Lady Vols to a 26-5 record, their second-highest ranking in program history at No. 8, and the team earned its highest-ever NCAA Tournament national seed at No. 10. UT reached the regional semifinal for the first time since 2005 thanks to an offense that led the SEC and ranked inside the top five nationally in kills per set, assists per set and hitting percentage. For her efforts, she was awarded SEC Co-Coach of the Year honors by her peers.
Throughout her time on Rocky Top, Rackham Watt has coached eight different Lady Vols to All-American status, including six during the last three seasons. Tennessee has been represented on the AVCA All-Region list eight times and the All-SEC team on 10 occasions. Rackham Watt and her staff have coached two athletes to National Player of the Week status, as Erica Treiber (2018) and Morgahn Fingall (2022, 2023) earned the prestigious honor.
Successful teams are powered by successful players, and her student-athletes consistently maximize their athletic potential. Throughout her time as a college coach, Rackham Watt has produced 27 AVCA All-American selections, 40 all-conference honorees, two conference Players of the Year, three conference Defensive Players of the Year, four conference Newcomers/Freshmen of the Year, 35 AVCA All-Region selections, one AVCA Regional Player of the Year, two AVCA Regional Freshmen of the Year and four NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team selections.
In the classroom, Rackham Watt has coached 11 CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District honorees and three CSC Academic All-Americans. During the 2023 spring semester, the Lady Vols posted their highest GPA ever of any semester at 3.61. Under her leadership, Tennessee volleyball has earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award during each of the last three years (2021-23), marking the best streak in program history. Fingall earned SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023.
At the professional level, Tessa Grubbs and Breana Runnels both enjoyed successful 2022-23 seasons. Grubbs was named the MVP of the Swiss League, while leading her team to a championship title. Runnels replicated the same success in the Finnish Champions league, earning the top honors while guiding her team to a title. Following the 2023 campaign, Fingall and Jenaisya Moore were selected in the Pro Volleyball Federation Draft. Fingall was taken with the No. 4 overall pick by the Grand Rapids Rise, while Moore was selected in the fourth round with the No. 28 pick by the Columbus Fury.
Between her time at the helm at Tennessee and serving as UNC’s recruiting coordinator, Rackham Watt has put together an impressive track record when it comes to identifying and bringing in top talent. In total, she signed 26 top-100 prospects between 2011-18. During the 2020 signing class, she signed Tennessee’s highest-rated recruit since 2013 when Jasmine Brooks joined the Lady Vols as a top-50 national recruit. With the Tar Heels, she signed three top-10 classes in the country, including the No. 3 overall class by PrepVolleyball.com in 2016
When it comes to growing the game and fanbase, Tennessee’s enjoyed it’s two best seasons for total attendance and average crowds during the Rackham Watt era. The Big Orange finished with its highest total attendance (27,553) and best average attendance (1,722) in program history in 2023, shattering the previous records of 19,127 and 1,471 during the 2019 campaign. Nine of the 10 largest crowds in UT history have been under her watch.
YEAR-BY-YEAR RECAPS
2023 – 26-5 (15-3 SEC) // NCAA Sweet Sixteen
The Big Orange enjoyed one of the best campaigns in program history, advancing to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2005, hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 and earning the program's best-ever national seed at No. 10. The Lady Vols finished second in the SEC, which produced a conference-high eight NCAA Tournament teams, with a 15-3 record, and they defeated five ranked opponents throughout the season. The team reached as high as eighth in the AVCA rankings, which marked the highest regular season ranking and second-best ranking ever in program history.
In her sixth year at the helm, Rackham Watt was named SEC Co-Coach of the Year. Tennessee swept 19 opponents in 31 matches on the year, marking the second-highest total for a single season in program history and the most since having 20 in 1983. UT boasted one of the country's elite offenses, ranking inside the top five nationally and leading the SEC in kills per set (2nd/14.75), assists per set (3rd/13.60) and hitting percentage (4th/.304). Defensively, the Lady Vols paced the SEC in kills per set allowed (11.39) and assists per set allowed (10.78), while ranking second in the conference in both opposing hitting percentage (.194) and aces per set allowed (0.82).
Right side Morgahn Fingall, the 2023 AVCA Southeast Region Player of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, was tabbed to the AVCA All-America First Team after finishing with 457 kills on .321 hitting, 193 digs, 84 blocks and 30 aces. She joined Beverly Robinson (1982) as the only Lady Vols in program history to achieve this feat. After being named a Second Team All-American last year, Fingall became the only player in program history to be tabbed a First or Second Team All-American in back-to-back seasons.
Setter Caroline Kerr claimed a spot on the All-America Second Team, joining Julie Knytych (2004-05) and Mary Pollmiller (2011) as the only setters in program history to earn All-America recognition. One of the best setters in the nation, Kerr finished with 1,245 assists, 210 digs, 70 kills, 40 blocks and 33 aces during her first season of competition. She ranked third nationally, second in the SEC and led all NCAA freshmen in assists per set at 11.75. Outside hitter Jenaisya Moore and libero Yelianiz Torres received All-America Honorable Mention accolades. Fingall, Kerr and Moore were also members of the All-SEC Team after pacing the conference's top offense.
For the season, the Lady Vols broke the program record during the 25-point rally-scoring era for kills per set (14.75), assists per set (13.60), hitting percentage (.304) and aces per set (1.67).
It wasn't just the team making history, the Lady Vol fanbase saw record-breaking attendance numbers for the season. The Big Orange finished with its highest total attendance (27,553) and best average attendance (1,722) in program history, shattering the previous records of 19,127 and 1,471 during the 2019 campaign. Five of the 10 largest crowds in UT history occurred in Food City Center this year, including the fourth-largest crowd of 2,575 fans during Tennessee's win against No. 22 Auburn.
2022 – 17-14 (11-7 SEC) // NCAA 1st Round
During the 2022 campaign, the Lady Vols made their 17th NCAA Tournament appearance after overcoming adversity all season long. Tennessee battled injuries throughout the year–only becoming fully healthy in November–to finish the campaign 17-14 overall and 11-7 in SEC play, tying for fourth place in the league. Once at full strength, UT closed the season with a 7-2 mark to punch its ticket to the tournament. The Lady Vols traveled to Louisville for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Big Orange showed their fight and resiliency in a five-set thriller against No. 8 seeded Purdue but ultimately fell to the Boilermakers.
During the season, senior Morgahn Fingall eclipsed the 1,000 career kill mark and earned All-America recognition. She became the 23rd player in program history to reach the 1,000-kill milestone and just the 10th to reach it in the rally-scoring era. She was named to the All-SEC Team for the first time in her career and was tabbed the league's scholar-athlete of the year. The Fairfax, Virginia, native finished the season with a career-high 483 kills - the second-most in Tennessee history during the 25-point rally-scoring era. Her 4.39 kills per set mark was also the second-most by a Lady Vol during the 25-point era.
True freshman Keondreya Granberry earned SEC All-Freshman Team recognition as she capped her first year on Rocky Top with 149 kills and a team-leading 103 blocks.
With a sweep of Norfolk State on Sept. 10, Rackham Watt became the third-winningest coach in program history.
2021 – 20-10 (11-7 SEC) // NCAA 2nd Round
In 2021, the Lady Vols earned their 24th 20-win season in program history and make their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. Tennessee finished the year 20-10 overall and 11-7 in SEC play as it placed fourth in the league. UT traveled to Ohio State for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Big Orange defeated North Carolina in four sets in the opening round before falling to No. 9 seed Ohio State in four in the second round.
UT finished with an SEC-best 3.01 blocks per set and closed out the year third in the conference in kills (14.15), assists (12.95) and hitting percentage (.271). Tennessee's blocks per set ranked second nationally in 2021.
A pair of Lady Vols secured All-SEC Team honors as setter Natalie Hayward and outside hitter Breana Runnels landed spots on the team. The season also witnessed head coach Eve Rackham Watt become the fourth winningest coach in program history and Knoxville native Lily Felts surpass 1,000 career kills.
Danielle Mahaffey and Runnels also earned All-America honors in 2021, with Mahaffey garnering recognition from the AVCA and VolleyballMag.com. Runnels was tabbed All-America by VolleyballMag.
2020-21 – 12-8 (12-8 SEC)
The 2020-21 season presented many challenges for teams across the country, including the Lady Vols, as the UT volleyball program had to deal with schedule adjustments and an unprecedented fall and spring schedule. Tennessee played just eight matches in the fall, going 4-4, before returning to the court in the spring.
In the second half of the season, UT went 8-4 to finish the unusual year at 12-8 overall and placed fifth in the conference standings. Tennessee earned three victories vs. top-16 opponents during the season and was one of four teams from the SEC ranked in the AVCA top-50 programs nationally. In the SEC, the Lady Vols were second in the conference in digs, third in kills and blocks and were fourth in the league in hitting percentage and opponent hitting percentage.
Two Lady Vols nabbed postseason honors in 2020-21, as junior Lily Felts was tabbed to the SEC All-Conference Team and middle blocker Ava Bell landed AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region Honors.
2019 – 15-13 (9-9 SEC)
Rackham Watt had the Lady Vols playing their best volleyball of the season at the end of the 2019 campaign as Tennessee won five of its last six matches with three of the wins coming on the road. It helped UT move up three spots in the conference standings as the Lady Vols tied for seventh.
Rackham Watt challenged Tennessee with one of the toughest schedules in the country as UT played 12 matches against teams who made the NCAA Tournament, six matches against AVCA top-25 opponents, seven matches against RPI top-25 teams and 11 matches against RPI top-50 opponents.
Despite the tough schedule, the Lady Vols finished with a winning record both overall and in conference play. It marks the first time since the 2011 and 2012 season that Tennessee has accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons.
In non-conference play, the Lady Vols increased their home tournament-winning streak to 24 matches, sweeping every match in the Tennessee Classic. During the final match of the tournament against North Dakota State, UT hit a season-high .427 percent, which ranks 11th in program history during the rally-scoring era. Also during the match, Tennessee held the Bison to just 12 kills, tying the fewest kills by an opponent in the rally-scoring era.
One match later in the SEC opener at Ole Miss, the Lady Vols tallied 78 kills, ranking sixth in program history during the rally-scoring era. During the match, senior Tessa Grubbs set a new career-best with 11 kills in the opening set. She went on to lead the team with 4.06 kills per set, earning her All-SEC honors for the second consecutive season. She became the first Tennessee player to accomplish this feat since Kelsey Robinson in 2011 and 2012.
Grubbs, who had a career-high 29 kills in the season opener against No. 6 Illinois, became the 22nd member of the 1,000-kill club while totaling the fourth most kills in the rally-scoring era and the most in the 25-point rally-scoring era. She ended her career ranked eighth in program history with 1,413 kills.
Fellow senior Sedona Hansen also cemented her place in the Tennessee record book, finishing fifth all-time in total assists with 3,494 assists in her career. She also finished 11th in digs with 1,129 in her four seasons on Rocky Top. Hansen was a double-double machine throughout her four seasons, as her 60 career double-doubles rank second in program history. Under Rackham Watt the past two seasons, she has tallied 27 of her double-double performances, leading the SEC with 13 during her junior campaign.
She posted a career-best 20 aces during her senior season with three matches of three or more aces. The Lady Vols as a whole saw an uptick in aces in Rackham Watt’s second season. They increased their service aces per set by 0.19 while having three matches with 11 or more aces.
2018 – 26-6 (16-2 SEC) // NCAA 2nd RoundIn Rackham Watt’s first season at Tennessee, she helped orchestrate the largest single-season turnaround in program history. She guided the Lady Vols to a 14-win increase overall, 11-win increase in Southeastern Conference play and an eight-place jump in the conference standings.
After being picked to finish 10th, she led Tennessee to 16 SEC wins and a second-place finish in her first season as a head coach. Tennessee won a total of 20 SEC matches in the four previous seasons combined.
Rackham Watt became the first Tennessee coach in any sport to beat a ranked opponent in her debut. In front of the second-largest crowd in Lady Vol volleyball history, Tennessee defeated No. 22 Michigan State in four sets to claim their first win in the Eve Rackham Watt era.
On the season, Rackham Watt and the Lady Vols went 2-0 vs. Big Ten opponents, which is their best record against the Big Ten in program history, tying their record of 2-0 in the 1983 season.
The Lady Vols captured four-ranked wins in 2018, the most of any SEC team and the only team in the conference to have a winning record against the AVCA Top-25. After coming back from 2-0 sets down to defeat Georgia in five sets, Tennessee entered the AVCA Top-25 poll themselves for the first time since 2012. The Lady Vols would climb as high as No. 19 in the polls as they were ranked in the final five polls of the season.
Tennessee ended conference play on an 11-match win streak, which included the first sweep over the Florida Gators since the 1988 season and just second time in program history. Inside of Thompson-Boling Arena, the Lady Vols tallied 14 home wins this season. It marks just the second time in program history Tennessee have accomplished that feat. It is also the first time since 1983 that UT had 14 or more wins at home in the regular season.
After a 26-win season, third most in UT history in the rally-scoring era, Tennessee was selected to the NCAA Tournament for the 15th time in school history and the first time since the 2012 season.
After earning a No. 2 seed in the Washington State regional, Tennessee advanced to the second round of the tournament for the 10th time in program history, defeating Colorado State in five sets in the first round of the tournament.
Rackham Watt helped senior Erica Treiber, junior Tessa Grubbs and freshman Lily Felts to postseason honors. Treiber and Grubbs became the 44th and 45th players in program history to be named to the All-SEC Team, the first Lady Vols to be voted to the team since 2012. Felts garnered SEC All-Freshman honors, becoming the ninth Tennessee player to do so in UT history.
Treiber and Grubbs went on to be named AVCA All-Southeast Region, marking the first time since 2011 multiple Lady Vols have been selected to the team. This was the second time Treiber was named an All-Region selection while Grubbs became the 19th player in UT history to be named All-Region.
Both Treiber and Grubbs went on to earn AVCA All-American honors, making it the first time since 2012 the program has had multiple All-Americans in the same season. Treiber became the eighth player in UT history to earn multiple All-American honors in her career while Grubbs became the Lady Vols 19th All-American.
PRIOR TO TENNESSEE
Rackham Watt was hired as UT’s new head volleyball coach on Jan. 10, 2018. Prior to her arrival on Rocky Top, she spent nine seasons on staff at North Carolina, serving as assistant head coach from 2013-18. The Sebastopol, California, native oversaw recruiting and was responsible for UNC’s offensive development.
During Rackham Watt’s tenure on staff with UNC—where she stands as one of the most accomplished volleyball student-athletes in school history—the program posted a 210-77 record. She was named the AVCA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014, and the Tar Heels earned seven consecutive NCAA Tournament berths from 2010-16.
No stranger to championship-caliber teams, Rackham Watt was instrumental in guiding North Carolina to ACC Championships in 2014 and 2016. The 2014 squad (29-3, 16-0 ACC) advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals, and the 2016 team (29-4, 19-1 ACC) reached the NCAA Tournament Round of 16.
The 2014 Tar Heels—a team that strung together a school-record 20-match win streak—ranked among the best in the ACC in three different categories, including fourth in the ACC and 29th nationally in hitting percentage (.259), fourth in the ACC in assists/set (12.86) and fourth in the ACC in kills/set (13.84). Following that historic season, Rackham Watt was named the AVCA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year.
Rackham Watt began her collegiate coaching career in 2004 as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Colgate, where she mentored the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2005, Rackham Watt began a three-year run as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at East Carolina. During her tenure at ECU, seven Pirates garnered all-conference acclaim. In her first year, she helped lead the squad to a 20-11 record, marking only the third 20-win season in school history.
Before returning to UNC, Rackham Watt spent the 2008 season as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Florida International. She helped guide the Panthers to the Sun Belt Regular-Season Championship and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. She coached the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and NCAA kills leader, along with two All-Sun Belt honorees and one AVCA All-American.
UNC’s starting setter from 1999-2002, Rackham Watt led the Tar Heels to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2002 NCAA Round of 16 and North Carolina’s highest-ever ranking to that point in the AVCA Coaches’ Poll (No. 11).
Carolina’s all-time career leader in assists per set (12.58), Rackham Watt earned first-team All-ACC and first-team AVCA All-Region honors in 2002. She was part of the winningest class in school history, as the Tar Heels compiled a 110-27 record, winning more than 80 percent of their games during her playing career.
Rackham Watt graduated from UNC in 2003 with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She and her husband, Gavin have a son, Jude.
TYLER ADAMS | Associate hEAD Coach
Tyler Adams concluded his sixth season at Tennessee in 2023 and his second as associate head coach. He is responsible for practice planning, team training, generating scouting reports, video breakdown and statistical analysis.
"Tyler has been an invaluable member of our staff since we arrived on Rocky Top four years ago," Rackham Watt said. "We have a shared vision and are continuing to build each season toward our goals. Tyler is loyal, hardworking and truly committed to making our program the best it can be. I cannot express how grateful I am to have a staff with continuity, which Tyler and Gavin have given us. It is exciting to announce Tyler's well-deserved promotion, and I look forward to growing professionally alongside him for many years to come."
Eight Lady Vols have earned All-American status (hitters Erica Treiber, Tessa Grubbs, Breana Runnels, Morgahn Fingall and Jenaisya Moore, libero Yelianiz Torres, middle blocker Danielle Mahaffey and setter Caroline Kerr), including six during the last three seasons, with the help of Adams' coaching. Under his guidance, UT has been represented on the AVCA All-Region list 12 times and the All-SEC team on 10 occasions. Two athletes to National Player of the Week status, as Erica Treiber earned the prestigious honor in 2018 and Morgahn Fingall received the distinction in 2022 and 2023.
Tennessee players have collected 57 SEC weekly awards during Adams' tenure on Rocky Top, including 10 defensive recognitions.
Team success has surged as well thanks to Adams' contributions. Tennessee ascended into the top 20 of the national rankings during his first season, which culminated in a second-place SEC finish and an NCAA Tournament victory. Since then, the Big Orange has been ranked inside the top 20 in four different seasons, including being as high as No. 8 during the 2023 campaign. The Lady Vols have recorded 13 wins over ranked opponents dating to that 2018 campaign.
The Big Orange enjoyed one of the best seasons in in program history in 2023, advancing to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2005, hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 and earning the program's best-ever national seed at No. 10. The Lady Vols finished second in the SEC, which produced a conference-high eight NCAA Tournament teams, with a 15-3 record, and they defeated five ranked opponents throughout the season. The team reached as high as eighth in the AVCA rankings, which marked the highest regular season ranking and second-best ranking ever in program history. Four individuals garnered All-America status from the squad.
Tennessee swept 19 opponents in 31 matches on the year, marking the second-highest total for a single season in program history and the most since having 20 in 1983. UT boasted one of the country's elite offenses, ranking inside the top five nationally and leading the SEC in kills per set (2nd/14.75), assists per set (3rd/13.60) and hitting percentage (4th/.304). Defensively, the Lady Vols paced the SEC in kills per set allowed (11.39) and assists per set allowed (10.78), while ranking second in the conference in both opposing hitting percentage (.194) and aces per set allowed (0.82).
In 2022, Adams helped with the development of SEC All-Freshman Team honoree Keondreya Granberry after the middle blocker posted 149 kills,103 blocks and 22 digs on the year. She led the Lady Vols in kills 10 times throughout the year, and she recorded 16 matches with five or more kills and eight matches with five or more blocks.
The 2021 campaign witnessed the Lady Vols earn their 24th 20-win season in program history and make their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. Tennessee finished the year 20-10 overall and 11-7 in SEC play as it placed fourth in the league. UT traveled to Ohio State for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Big Orange defeated North Carolina in four sets in the opening round before falling to No. 9 seed Ohio State in four in the second round.
Adams' blockers finished with an SEC-best 3.01 blocks per set, which also ranked second nationally in 2021. Middle blocker Danielle Mahaffey was tabbed an AVCA and VolleyballMag.com All-American after a stellar season. She registered a career-best 139 blocks and averaged 1.38 blocks per set – setting a 25-point rally-scoring era single-season Tennessee record.
Mahaffey's average ranked second in the SEC and eighth in the nation in 2021. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native also set a career-high with a .380 hitting percentage.
Senior Ava Bell occupied the other starting middle position and finished the season with 151 kills, a .397 hitting percentage and a career-high 118 blocks. She ended 2021 with a 1.24 blocks per set average - a mark that ranked fifth in the SEC and 39th nationally.
The 2020-21 season presented many challenges for teams across the country, including the Lady Vols as the UT volleyball program had to deal with adjusting schedules and an unprecedented fall and spring schedule. Tennessee played eight matches in the fall, before returning to the court for 12 contests in the spring.
In the second half of the season, UT went 8-4 to finish the unusual season at 12-8 overall and placed fifth in the conference standings. Tennessee earned three victories vs. top-16 opponents during the season and was one of four teams from the SEC ranked in the AVCA top-50 programs nationally. In the SEC, the Lady Vols were second in the conference in digs, third in kills and blocks and were fourth in the league in hitting percentage and opponent hitting percentage.
During the season, four players earned conference weekly honors as setter Natalie Hayward was named SEC Player and Setter of the Week, while outside hitter Lily Felts earned SEC Player and Offensive Player of the Week honors. Joining them was Morgahn Fingall who earned offensive player of the week recognition and libero Madison Bryant who nabbed defensive player of the week accolades.
Two Lady Vols nabbed postseason honors in 2020-21, as junior Lily Felts was tabbed to the SEC All-Conference Team and middle blocker Ava Bell landed AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region Honors. In addition to her AVCA honor, Bell ranked fourth in the SEC in blocks during the 2020-21 season, averaging 1.08 blocks per set.
Bell also finished seventh in conference play in hitting percentage at .353.
Fingall finished the year 10th in the SEC in kills per set with an average of 3.56. The mark ranks her eighth in Lady Vol history during the 25-point rally-scoring era. She also closed out the year ninth in the league in points per set with 4.10.
The Lady Vols played their best volleyball of the season at the end of the 2019 campaign as Tennessee won five of its last six matches with three of the wins coming on the road. It helped UT move up three spots in the conference standings as the Lady Vols tied for seventh.
Despite one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Lady Vols finished with a winning record both overall and in conference play. It marks the first time since the 2011 and 2012 season that Tennessee has accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons.
In non-conference play, the Lady Vols increased their home tournament-winning streak to 24 matches, sweeping every match in the Tennessee Classic. During final match of the tournament against North Dakota State, UT hit a season-high .427 percent, which ranks 11th in program history during the rally-scoring era.
During the match, senior Tessa Grubbs set a new career-best with 11 kills in the opening set. She went on to lead the team with 4.06 kills per set, earning her All-SEC honors for the second consecutive season. She became the first Tennessee player to accomplish this feat since Kelsey Robinson in 2011 and 2012.
Grubbs, who had a career-high 29 kills in the season opener against No. 6 Illinois, became the 22nd member of the 1,000-kill club while totaling the fourth most kills in the rally-scoring era and the most in the 25-point rally-scoring era. She ended her career ranked eighth in program history with 1,413 kills.
Adams served as the acting head coach for two matches in 2019 including a three-set sweep against Alabama on Nov. 22. Over the past two seasons, he has accumulated a 7-2 record as the acting head coach.
In his first season at University of Tennessee, Adams played a key part in the largest single-season turnaround in program history. The Lady Vols had a 14-win increase overall from 2017 to 2018, 11-win increase in Southeastern Conference play and an eight-place jump in the conference standings.
After being picked to finish 10th in the league, Tennessee captured 16 SEC wins and a second place finish in his first season on staff.
Adams served as the acting head coach over the last seven matches of the 2018 campaign. The Lady Vols went 6-1 over the course of those matches with the lone loss coming in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It marked the 10th time in program history Tennessee has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Over the final seven matches of the season, Adams helped guide the Lady Vols to ranked wins over No. 23 Missouri and a sweep over No. 13 Florida. It was the first time since 1988 and just the second time in program history Tennessee has swept the Gators.
In total, the Lady Vols captured four-ranked wins in 2018, the most of any SEC team and the only team in the conference to have a winning record against the AVCA Top-25.
After coming back from 2-0 sets down to defeat Georgia in five sets in October, Tennessee entered the AVCA Top-25 poll for the first time since 2012. The Lady Vols would climb as high as No. 19 in the polls as they were ranked in the final five polls of the season.
Inside of Thompson-Boling Arena, the Lady Vols tallied 14 home wins this season. It marks just the second time in program history Tennessee have accomplished that feat. It is also the first time since 1983 that UT had 14 or more wins at home in the regular season.
After a 26-win season, third most in UT history in the rally scoring era, Tennessee was selected to the NCAA Tournament for the 15th time in school history and the first time since the 2012 season.
In Adams first season on Rocky Top, senior Erica Treiber, junior Tessa Grubbs and freshman Lily Felts all earned postseason honors. Treiber and Grubbs both earned All-SEC Team and AVCA All-Southeast Region honors while Felts garnered SEC All-Freshman honors.
PRIOR TO TENNESSEE
Before coming to Knoxville in 2018, Adams spent eight seasons on the bench at UNC, the last seven of which he spent as an assistant coach after serving as a volunteer assistant his first year. The Tar Heels earned NCAA Tournament berths in seven of the eight seasons he was on the staff in Chapel Hill.
Adams and the Tar Heels coaching staff guided UNC to a 29-4 campaign in 2016, marking his second ACC championship with a stellar 19-1 record in conference play. North Carolina received its highest AVCA (6) and RPI (5) rankings in program history that season and advanced to NCAA Regionals for the second time in three years while defeating a program-record three top-10 teams.
In 2014, the Heels went 29-3 with a perfect 16-0 record at home en route to the program’s most wins since 2002. North Carolina earned a series of new program highs during that remarkable campaign, including a No. 7 AVCA Coaches Poll ranking, a No. 5 NCAA RPI ranking and a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
UNC also reeled off 20-straight victories in 2014, the longest streak in program history. The season ended for the Tar Heels in the NCAA Regional finals in Minneapolis—marking the program’s deepest-ever NCAA Tournament run.
In 2013, Adams helped guide UNC to a program-record 15-0 start. That season was capped by the program’s 15th NCAA Tournament berth. The Tar Heels finished 2013 with a 27-5, recording their most wins since 2002.
In addition to his coaching duties at Carolina, Adams worked in several different roles over five years with USA Volleyball. In 2014, Adams traveled with the Men’s Junior National Team to compete in the NORCECA U21 Championships in El Salvador. He served as the technical coordinator and video analyst for the team, which captured the bronze medal in a highly competitive tournament.
Adams also has extensive experience with the USA Women’s National A2 program, which is made up of the top collegiate women’s volleyball players in the country with at least one year of college eligibility remaining. In 2012, he worked with the team in Columbus, Ohio, serving as a technical assistant. And in 2010, Adams helped lead the USA Volleyball A2 Blue National Team to gold at the USA Volleyball Open National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 2011, Adams worked as an assistant at the USA High Performance Championships with the Select Age Division A2 program, and he has also worked boys’ and girls’ USA High Performance tryouts.
Prior to joining the UNC staff in 2010, Adams served as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Central Florida, for two years (2008, 2010). In between his coaching stints, Adams played and coached professionally in Germany, guiding the Oberliga professional volleyball team FC Schuttorf to a 17-1 record and the league championship in 2009.
A 2008 graduate of UCF with a degree in Psychology, Adams played five years for the Knights’ club volleyball team. He was honored by the NIRSA as a second-team All-American in 2008. From 2006-08, he served as a player/coach for the club team, before taking over as head coach in 2009. Tyler is married to his wife, Jenny, who also played middle blocker at UCF.
GAVIN WATT | ASSISTANT Coach / RECRUITING COORDINATOR
Gavin Watt concluded his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Tennessee volleyball program in 2023. A decorated former international volleyball standout, he works primarily with the Lady Vols’ offense and setters while also serving as recruiting coordinator.
Multiple players have enjoyed accelerated skill development under Watt’s tutelage at Tennessee, with eight Lady Vols earning All-American status (hitters Erica Treiber, Tessa Grubbs, Breana Runnels, Morgahn Fingall and Jenaisya Moore, libero Yelianiz Torres, middle blocker Danielle Mahaffey and setter Caroline Kerr), including six during the last three seasons. Under his guidance, UT has been represented on the AVCA All-Region list 12 times and the All-SEC team on 10 occasions. Two athletes to National Player of the Week status, as Treiber earned the prestigious honor in 2018 and Fingall received the distinction in 2022 and 2023.
Tennessee players have collected 57 SEC weekly awards during that span—including 15 offensive awards and nine setter recognitions.
Team success has surged as well thanks to Watt’s contributions. Tennessee ascended into the top 20 of the national rankings during his first season, which culminated in a second-place SEC finish and an NCAA Tournament victory. Since then, the Big Orange has been ranked inside the top 20 in four different seasons, including being as high as No. 8 during the 2023 campaign. The Lady Vols have recorded 13 wins over ranked opponents dating to that 2018 campaign.
A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Watt has effectively elevated Tennessee’s talent level, assembling highly rated recruiting classes over the past four years. Tennessee’s 2020 signing class earned highest honorable mention status from PrepVolleyball.com.
During the 2020 signing class, he helped signed Tennessee’s highest-rated recruit since 2013 when Jasmine Brooks joined the Lady Vols as a top-50 national recruit. In 2021, signee Ava Moes also was rated by PrepVolleyball as a top-75 national prospect.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Watt recruited Jenaisya Moore and Yelianiz Torres from the transfer portal. Both individuals garnered All-America recognition in their lone season on Rocky Top. Following that season, Watt helped sign Hayden Kubik, who was ranked as the No. 1 overall player on PrepVolleyball.com when she signed with Nebraska as part of the 2022 class.
INSTANT IMPACT
Watt’s immense coaching impact was apparent in his very first season, as the Lady Vols finished in the top four in the SEC in hitting percentage, kills per set and assists per set in 2018. Nationally, Tennessee finished that season 14th in kills per set, 29th in assists per set and 34th in hitting percentage.
The team’s kills (1,783) and assists (1,638) totals that year were the program’s highest since 2011.
After Tennessee was picked to finish that 2018 season 10th in the SEC, Watt and the rest of UT’s new-look staff oversaw the largest single-season turnaround in program history. The Lady Vols achieved a 14-win increase overall from 2017 to 2018, an 11-win increase in SEC action and an eight-place rise in the conference standings. The squad’s 16 SEC wins earned it a second-place finish. Tennessee defeated four top-25 opponents in the process, the most of any SEC team.
On an individual level, Watt helped Sedona Hansen improve her assists average by more than 1.50 per set, increasing her total assists by 365 in 2018. Hansen tallied 13 double-doubles that season, including eight during SEC play. She also totaled four double-doubles against ranked opponents in her season working with Watt.
His mentorship led to Hansen leading the SEC with 13 double-doubles as a junior. She finished her UT career ranked second in program history with 60 double-doubles. She also finished fifth in school history in total assists (3,494) and 11th in digs (1,129)
During the unusual 2020-21 season—contested amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic—setter Natalie Hayward averaged an impressive assists per set at 9.53 to rank fifth in the SEC. That average also stood as the fifth-best in program history during the 25-point rally-scoring era.
That 2020-21 academic year presented many challenges for teams across the country, including schedule adjustments that led to an unprecedented fall and spring collegiate schedule. Tennessee played just eight matches in the fall before returning to the court for 12 contests in the spring.
In the spring, UT went 8-4 to finish the unusual season at 12-8 overall and fifth in the SEC. Tennessee earned three victories against top-16 opponents and was one of only four teams from the SEC ranked among the AVCA’s top-50 programs nationally. During conference play, the Lady Vols ranked second in the SEC in digs, third in kills and blocks and fourth in both hitting percentage and opponent hitting percentage.
The 2020-21 season saw several Lady Vols earn individual accolades. Hayward was named SEC Player and Setter of the Week, outside hitter Lily Felts earned SEC Player and Offensive Player of the Week honors, Morgahn Fingall garnered offensive player of the week recognition and libero Madison Bryant who nabbed defensive player of the week accolades. Two Lady Vols secured postseason honors in 2020-21, as Felts was tabbed to the SEC All-Conference Team and middle blocker Ava Bell landed AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region Honors
In 2021, the Lady Vols earned their 24th 20-win season in program history and made their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. Tennessee finished the year 20-10 overall and 11-7 in SEC play as it placed fourth in the league. UT traveled to Ohio State for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Big Orange defeated North Carolina in four sets in the opening round before falling to No. 9 seed Ohio State in four in the second round.
A pair of Lady Vols secured All-SEC Team honors as setter Natalie Hayward and outside hitter Breana Runnels landed spots on the team. Hayward earned All-SEC and AVCA All-Region accolades last season after dishing out 1,162 assists and averaging 10.66 assists per set in 2021. Her assist total was a career-high, while she also achieved career-best marks with 105 kills, a hitting percentage of .394, 296 digs and 81 blocks. Her 10.66 assists per set was a career-high and ranked fourth in the SEC and 31st nationally.
Runnels was tabbed an All-American by VolleyballMag.com after she led the Lady Vols with 394 kills and a 3.75 kills per set average in 2021. Her kills per set average ranked fifth in the SEC and was the 11th-best single-season average in Tennessee history during the rally-scoring era. The Bakersfield, California, native also led the Lady Vols in points per set, averaging 4.15 for a total of 435.5 points over the course of the season. Her average ranked sixth in the conference.
During the 2022 campaign, senior Morgahn Fingall eclipsed the 1,000 career kill mark and earned All-America recognition. She became the 23rd player in program history to reach the 1,000-kill milestone and just the 10th to reach it in the rally-scoring era. She was named to the All-SEC Team for the first time in her career and was tabbed the league's scholar-athlete of the year. The Fairfax, Virginia, native finished the season with a career-high 483 kills - the second-most in Tennessee history during the 25-point rally-scoring era. Her 4.39 kills per set mark was also the second-most by a Lady Vol during the 25-point era.
At setter, Hayward finished her UT career with 3,015 assists - the third most by a Lady Vol in the rally-scoring era and the sixth most in Tennessee history all-time. For the season, she had 1138 assists, 274 digs, 115 kills, 75 blocks and 30 aces. Her 10.05 assists per set career mark ranked sixth all-time in the UT record books, while she was second all-time in Tennessee history with a .366 career attack percentage (min. 100 attacks per season). She closed out her Lady Vol career with 30 double-doubles, which is the seventh most ever by a Lady Vol, and one triple-double.
The Big Orange enjoyed one of the best seasons in in program history in 2023, advancing to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2005, hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 and earning the program's best-ever national seed at No. 10. The Lady Vols finished second in the SEC, which produced a conference-high eight NCAA Tournament teams, with a 15-3 record, and they defeated five ranked opponents throughout the season. The team reached as high as eighth in the AVCA rankings, which marked the highest regular season ranking and second-best ranking ever in program history. Four individuals garnered All-America status from the squad.
Tennessee swept 19 opponents in 31 matches on the year, marking the second-highest total for a single season in program history and the most since having 20 in 1983. UT boasted one of the country's elite offenses, ranking inside the top five nationally and leading the SEC in kills per set (2nd/14.75), assists per set (3rd/13.60) and hitting percentage (4th/.304). Defensively, the Lady Vols paced the SEC in kills per set allowed (11.39) and assists per set allowed (10.78), while ranking second in the conference in both opposing hitting percentage (.194) and aces per set allowed (0.82).
Fingall, the 2023 AVCA Southeast Region Player of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, was tabbed to the AVCA All-America First Team after finishing with 457 kills on .321 hitting, 193 digs, 84 blocks and 30 aces. She joined Beverly Robinson (1982) as the only Lady Vols in program history to achieve this feat. After being named a Second Team All-American last year, Fingall became the only player in program history to be tabbed a First or Second Team All-American in back-to-back seasons.
Kerr claimed a spot on the AVCA All-America Second Team, joining Julie Knytych (2004-05) and Mary Pollmiller (2011) as the only setters in program history to earn All-America recognition. One of the best setters in the nation, Kerr finished with 1,245 assists, 210 digs, 70 kills, 40 blocks and 33 aces during her first season of competition. She ranked third nationally, second in the SEC and led all NCAA freshmen in assists per set at 11.75.
PRIOR TO TENNESSEE
Watt came to Tennessee after spending one season alongside Rackham Watt at North Carolina as a volunteer assistant. He assisted with practice planning, on-court coaching, coordinating video sessions, scouting opponents, and on-campus recruiting.
Watt also served as associate club director for the NC Elite Volleyball Club, where he was the 17U head coach and lead setter coach.
He transitioned to Chapel Hill after spending four years (2013-16) as the first assistant coach at Lehigh University, helping lead the Mountain Hawks to a 74-49 record. Lehigh posted back-to-back 20-win campaigns for just the second time in program history and also racked up a school-record 14 Patriot League wins in 2014.
Hailing from Scotland, Watt spent four years as the head coach of the 19U Junior & National Teams at the City of Edinburgh Volleyball Club—for which he played from 2002-10—preparing athletes for competing at the national level.
During his playing career, Watt was a setter for the Scotland National and Junior National Teams from 2004-13 and played in the Great Britain National Team program from 2007-12. He was named FINALWHISTLEMEDIA Player of the Year in 2010 with City of Edinburgh Volleyball Club.
As the No. 1 setter for the Scottish National Team, Watt was selected to the 24-man roster for the Great Britain Olympic Team for the 2012 London Olympics.
Prior to moving to the United States, Watt played professionally in France for three years with Amiens Metropole VBC (2010-11) and AS Cannes Volleyball Club (2011-13).
Watt graduated from Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science with Coaching. He also earned his HND in Sports Coaching with Development of Sport from Edinburgh Telford College in 2008.
He and his wife, Tennessee head coach Eve Rackham Watt, have one son, Jude.
SUSAN CLEMENTS | ASSISTANT Coach
Boasting more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, Tennessee volleyball has added Susan Clements as an assistant coach ahead of the 2025 campaign, head coach Eve Rackham Watt announced on Jan. 20, 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Susan to Rocky Top and feel extremely fortunate to have someone of her experience level join our staff,” Rackham Watt said. “She has been a part of multiple championship teams, both as a head coach and assistant coach. I have known Susan for over 20 years, and I am excited for what she can bring to our program. I believe our players will learn a lot from her, and she understands what it takes to win at this level. All of us are looking forward to having Susan join us this spring.”
During her time in coaching, Clements and her teams have won a combined nine conference titles. She’s made stops at Coastal Carolina (2023-24), North Carolina (2018-22), Wright State (2012-17), Niagara (2007-11) and Georgetown College (2004-06), with the latter three being head coaching positions. She’s been to the NCAA Tournament with three different programs and has coached numerous All-conference players throughout her career.
“I would like to thank head coach Eve Rackham Watt for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of a terrific staff and program,” Clements said. “I am grateful to be a part of Rocky Top and the Lady Vol volleyball team. This is an exciting time in volleyball and in the SEC, and I look forward to an amazing season ahead.”
Prior to arriving at Tennessee, Clements spent two seasons at Coastal Carolina. She was promoted to associate head coach ahead of the 2024 campaign after the 2023 Chanticleers earned their first postseason appearance since 2017, posting a 22-10 overall record and claiming the Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles.
Clements helped with the coaching and development of setter Jalyn Stout, who has broken the NCAA record for triple-doubles twice during her first two collegiate seasons. After tallying 14 in 2023 to set the record as a freshman, the two-time All-SBC First Team selection followed that up with 20 triple-doubles this past season to improve her record.
Before moving to Conway, Clements served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for North Carolina for five seasons. During her time in Chapel Hill, she recruited the three top-15 classes, including the ninth and 10th nationally-ranked recruiting classes in 2019 and 2022, respectively. The 2023 Tar Heels' recruiting class was ranked the 14th-best class by Prep Volleyball. She also helped UNC advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
Her journey to North Carolina was preceded by 13 years as a head coach. Clements spent six seasons at the helm of the Wright State program, which went on to become Horizon League Champions and participated in the NCAA tournament in 2019, 2020, and 2022 with her final recruiting class (2018).
Before Wright State, she was the winningest head coach in program history for Niagara, where she guided the Purple Eagles to three-straight NCAA Tournaments, including the program’s first-ever appearance in 2009. During that same season, she was named the National Coach of the Year by College Volleyball Update. Her teams won three MAAC Tournament titles (2009-11) and two MAAC regular season titles (2010 and 2011).
Prior to Niagara, Clements coached for three seasons at her alma mater, Georgetown College in Kentucky. She served as head coach during the 2005 and 2006 campaigns, when the Lady Tigers won the Mid-South Tournament and Region XI titles and earned a berth into the NAIA National Championship Tournament both years.
As an outside hitter for the program, she was a two-time Mid-South Conference Player of the Year and three-time NAIA All-American selection. In 2014, she was inducted into the Georgetown Athletics Hall of Fame. She played professionally in Europe following graduation before returning to coach.
A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Clements earned a Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from Niagara in 2011 and a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and sport science from Georgetown College in 2002.
Coastal Carolina – 2023-24
- Named assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in 2023 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2024.
- In 2023, she helped lead the Chants to their first postseason appearance since 2017. The Chanticleers posted a 22-10 overall record and claimed the Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles.
- Helped Jasmine Rivest earn the SBC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.
- Developed and coached setter Jalyn Stout, who posted a combined 34 triple-doubles during her first two seasons at Coastal Carolina. Stout was the SBC Freshman of the Year after posting a then-NCAA record 14 triple-doubles. She followed that up in 2024 by posting 20 triple-doubles and leading the team in aces, assists and kills to earn All-SBC First Team honors for a second straight season.
North Carolina – 2018-22
- Spent five seasons in Chapel Hill as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tar Heels.
- Recruited the three top-15 classes, including the ninth and 10th nationally-ranked recruiting classes in 2019 and 2022, respectively. The 2023 Tar Heels' recruiting class was ranked the 14th-best class by Prep Volleyball.
- Helped UNC advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
- Hired in 2018 to replace long-time Tar Heel assistants, Eve Rackham and Tyler Adams.
Wright State – 2012-17
- Head Coach for six seasons.
- Her final recruiting class in 2018 went on to become Horizon League Champions and participated in the NCAA tournament in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Niagara – 2007-11
- Went 87-70 in five seasons at the helm and left as the program’s winningest head coach.
- Led the Purple Eagles to three MAAC Tournament titles (2009-11), two MAAC regular season titles (2010 and 2011) and was named the 2009 MAAC and National Coach of the Year by College Volleyball Update.
- Coached the Purple Eagles to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including their first-ever bid in 2009.
- Became the first team in school history to win back-to-back conference tournament championships.
- Developed and coached 11 All-MAAC Team honorees, seven MAAC All-Tournament Team recipients, three MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Players, two MAAC Rookie of the Years, a MAAC Setter of the Year, a MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and a MAAC Libero of the Year.
Georgetown College (Coach) – 2004-06
- Head coach for two seasons (2005-06), posting a 74-25 record.
- The Lady Tigers won the Mid-South Tournament and Region XI titles and earned a berth into the NAIA National Championship Tournament both years.
- Assistant Coach in 2004.
Georgetown College (Athlete) – 1999-2002
- Two-time Mid-South Conference Player of the Year
- Three-time NAIA All-American selection, including a pair of first team appearances.
JESSICA QUINN | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
During the 2020-21 volleyball season, Quinn helped the Lady Vols' players and staff navigate the challenges of COVID-19, allowing the program to operate safely and securely.
She also oversees the program's student-managers, enabling them to work efficiently during practices and during match days.
Quinn arrived on Rocky Top after spending the past five seasons at Oregon State. Her time with the OSU volleyball program saw Quinn serve in two capacities, first as the director of operations from 2015-2017 and then as an assistant coach from 2017-2020.
In 2017, Quinn helped lead the Beavers to one of the best seasons in the program’s history. OSU won 21 matches, an improvement of nine wins, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in team history. Among the season’s highlights were the first five-match conference win streak since 1990 - a feat Oregon State accomplished twice in 2017 - and the first season sweeps of the Washington and Arizona schools since 1984 and 1990 respectively. Mary-Kate Marshall was named an All-American for the second straight year, and third time in her career, becoming just the sixth player in OSU history with 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. In addition, setter Kylee McLaughlin was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and the AVCA Pacific North Region Freshman of the Year.
Prior to working with the OSU volleyball team, Quinn worked for Oregon State University Recreation where she served as a coordinator of Oregon State’s Sports and Special Programs, supervising operations for 40 collegiate sports clubs.
She served in that role from 2011-15, coordinating travel, event planning, fiscal planning and budget management, among other operations responsibilities. Additionally, she served as the coordinator of marketing and student development in her final year.
Quinn served as the director of girls’ volleyball for the Clovis North Area & Bronco Elite Volleyball Club from 2007-11. Among her other duties included in this role, Quinn served as a head coach.
From 1998-2012, Quinn gained coaching experience with various college and club teams, including a one-year stint with OSU volleyball as a volunteer in 2011. Other college roles include service as an assistant coach at Rhodes College in 2000 and in a volunteer assistant role at UC-Davis in 2004.
Quinn played volleyball all four years of college, starting at Reedley College, from 1995-97, where she was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Quinn captained the team to a pair of Central Valley Conference Championships and fourth and sixth place finishes in the California State Championships.
Following her time at Reedley, Quinn also served as a team captain at the University of Memphis (1997-99), where she finished among the program’s top-five career assist leaders (2,681) in just two seasons, while also posting two of the top-five single-game assist totals in school history (75 and 74, respectively).
All of Tennessee Sports Camps are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender).
Note: The University may postpone or cancel this event due to circumstances or conditions beyond its control, such as, but not limited to, natural disasters, acts or war, acts of God, or public health emergencies. Neither party shall be liable for damages for delay or default if such delay or default is caused by circumstances or conditions beyond its control, such as, but not limited to, natural disasters, acts of war, acts of God, or health emergencies. The Parties will consult with other to determine if the event can be rescheduled. -- It is not permissible for boosters to provide expenses for individuals to attend any of the Tennessee Sports Camps. Expenses include but are not limited to, lodging meals, transportation, and/or camp tuition.