After completing an eight-year term, Adam Walker steps down as Volleyball England’s Chair of the Board this weekend with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude.
Whilst there have been many challenges over this period, these have been far outweighed by the organisation’s many achievements.
Coming into post, he found Volleyball England at a significant crossroads, where its very existence was, in doubt.
Eight years later, Volleyball England is now acknowledged by the sport’s key stakeholders as an excellently-run national governing body with strong and sustainable business foundations.
Through the implementation of The Game Plan strategy, the board and staff team have consistently tackled challenges with skill and determination and have incrementally improved almost every aspect of the sport. This programme of transformational change ensures the sport has a bright future.
Reflecting on his time with Volleyball England, he highlighted the many things he was proud of.
Walker said: “I’m really proud of our sports growth, particularly the increase in the numbers of junior players. Similarly, I feel very privileged to have watched the Bellow’s win a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2022 and witnessed their incredible progression within the world beach rankings
“ Underlying this, I am thrilled to see how this has provided the catalyst for a significant strengthening in the depth and abilities of our beach players and provided the momentum for the development of new elite beach venues.”
Additionally, Walker outlined the fantastic strides in competition development, education and training of coaches and officials, and the significant improvements in international relations and standings as significant highlights that he was proud to have played a part in delivering.
Above and beyond all of these achievements, Walker said one of the things he was most proud of was the development of the VE Hub team.
‘It’s been a privilege to see a wonderful team achieving fantastic outcomes with minimal resource,” he said.
“I haven’t always been able to spend as much time as I would like with them, but Charlie (Ford, CEO) and Guin (Batten, Deputy CEO) have always kept me fully updated.”
“Whilst Walker has undoubtedly played his part in reviving Volleyball England’s fortunes, he was quick to pass much of the credit to those around him.
“My role was to simply act as the conductor of a world-class orchestra,” he said. “Without the incredible efforts of my fellow board members, the fantastic Hub team and the many hundreds of volunteers, none of the progress we have achieved would have been delivered.
“I’ve been so lucky to have worked with such brilliant people, who throughout my time have worked so selflessly.”
When asked why he first looked to get involved with Volleyball England, Walker cited three reasons. The first was his connection to Janet Inman (then CEO).
“I knew Janet from previous sports development work and had a huge respect for her and equally was inspired by her incredible passion for the sport,” he said.
Secondly he explained that volleyball was an Olympic sport that he was always compelled to watch as it was incredibly skillful, fast-paced and exciting.
Walker then added: ‘I’ve always seen volleyball as an amazing sport with incredible potential, not only does it have three very different versions, but it also has a fantastic gender balance and is appealing for all ages’
Looking at the early years of his term, Walker said: “From the outset there were many fundamental business and governance challenges that urgently needed to be addressed.
‘It was about saving the organisation in the first instance and we had to make some difficult decisions, including the commencement of a significant organisational restructure.
“From a financial perspective, we had to rebuild fractured relationships with funding partners, prioritise our resources and negotiate with the tax authorities… you name it we had to do it.
“Whilst this phase was not always enjoyable, it was the efforts put in during these early days that have facilitated such a strong and well-respected organisation today.”
Having successfully navigated this initial period Walker, then reflected on more recent years.
He said: “Having established such a robust organisation we have been able to make great strides in growing and diversifying our revenues, this in turn has enabled us to move from business prudence to innovation and investment.
“I’m delighted to be handing over to a new Chair where the organisation is in such a good position to press forward.
“And all of the changes that have been delivered have only been possible because we have had four brilliant CEOs during that time – Janet, Sue Storey, Sam Jamieson and Charlie Ford – all of whom have been incredible leaders for the phases that they have been at the helm… thank you team.”
When asked about his leadership style, Walker explained that he has consistently focused on a few key principles which he hopes has helped him to earn the respect and trust of his colleagues.
He said: “I try to be as inclusive as I can. Everyone on the board has a right to contribute, and I have always tried to make sure that they can do that.
“I have also tried to create a sense of fun because everyone is a volunteer. When you volunteer, you should have the opportunity to enjoy yourself. I haven’t come across to many volunteers that wouldn’t want this.
“Underpinning that, I have tried to make sure the Board has been strategic, decisive and purpose-driven. I have wanted to make things happen and make decisions, rather than talking about things but not getting them done.
“I have cared more about our board being respected rather than liked. I have wanted to positively move the sport forward and I believe that as a collaborative group of people we have done that, and done it well.”
Although his tenure with Volleyball England will soon be at an end, Walker remains Chair of Welsh Cycling, Chair of GB Table Tennis and a trustee on the recently launched England Football Charity.
Additionally he continues to be at the forefront of strategic development in European football through his business’ longstanding contract with UEFA.
Nevertheless, he is looking forward to seeing what the future holds in store for volleyball in England.
“I will really miss the people and sharing the volleyball mission, but as a consolation I get to continue the many friendships I have been able to make,” he said. “ I will now be able to enjoy volleyball as a spectator and have always said to Charlie, the board and the Hub team that I will always be there to help and support if needed.
“I’ve loved my time and it has been eight great years, but it’s important that someone fresh comes in. It does take a lot of physical and mental energy, and it needs new impetus and creativity to take the next steps.”
“I think the organisation is in a really good place. The Hub staff are fantastic people who enjoy making volleyball better and the Board is full of highly-skilled and committed people whose collective ambition to improve volleyball is infectious.
“I want to say a massive thank you to the sport itself because I had spent eight incredible years, nearly 3,000 days in post – a big chunk of my life – and I have really enjoyed it.
“So thank you and best of luck for the future.”
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Utah State announced the hire of TCU assistant coach and Team USA developement coach Keith Smith its next head coach of women’s volleyball Saturday morning. After losing the highly successful Rob Neilson to BYU, the Aggies will turn to Smith to carry on the dominance of their volleyball program that has won five combined regular season and conference tournament titles and made four NCAA Tournament appearances since 2021.
“I am grateful to Cameron Walker and the search committee for trusting me with the opportunity to continue Utah State volleyball’s rich history,” said Smith in a USU press release. “My goal is not to rebuild the program, but to retool it for long-term, sustainable success that keeps it on an upward trajectory.”
Smith has not served as a head coach at the college or national team level, though he brings a solid resume of recruiting, developement and coaching across his roles as an assistant coach with four different collegiate women’s volleyball programs and the USA National Development Program. At each of his stops across college teams, those programs had great success including 20+ win seasons, record recuiting classes, historic upsets and apperances (and wins) in the NCAA Tournament.
Last year, Smith was hired as an assistant coach at TCU and in what was ultimately his lone year with the program, he helped the Horned Frogs rise to its highest-ever rank in the American Volleyball Coaches Assotiation Poll, reaching No. 9 in the rankings. TCU also made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a six seed and won its first-round game against Stephen F. Austin before falling to eventual NCAA-champion Texas A&M in the second round. Prior to his tenure at TCU, Smith spent three seasons at Auburn. In 2022, Smith helped the team to a 22-win season, the program’s most wins since 1998 and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, just the second in program history at the time for the Tigers.
Smith’s time at Auburn and TCU were both with the women’s volleyball team, though his stop before that was with his alma mater, the Grand Canyon men’s volleyball team. He served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2016 and then as a full-time assistant from 2018-21 and cut his teeth as a top-flight recruiter, highlighted by the team’s 2021 recruiting class. Grand Canyon had the eighth-best recruiting class in the nation, which included signing 10 of the top 50 recruits. Thanks to that accomplishment, he received an AVCA 30 Under 30 recognition as one of the best coaches nationally under the age of 30.
Splitting his time with Grand Canyon was a one-year stint at Providence with its women’s volleyball team. In that lone season, Smith helped the team to an 11-game win streak to start the 2017 campaign and also record the team’s first winning record in 10 years.
“I’m excited to welcome Keith to Utah State as our new head volleyball coach,” said Utah State Athletics Director Cam Walker in the press release. “He’s a proven recruiter with a strong track record of developing players. From the start of the hiring process, his professionalism and expertise were evident, and his attributes and vision aligned with those of our volleyball student-athletes, making him the ideal choice to advance Utah State volleyball. His background with USA Volleyball will be invaluable as the program works to reach the next level.”
Keith Smith Coaching History
TCU Women’s Volleyball (Ast. Coach) – 2025
Auburn Women’s Volleyball (Ast. Coach) – 2022-24
Grand Canyon Men’s Volleyball (Ast. Coach) – 2018-21
Providence Women’s Volleyball (Ast. Coach) – 2017
Grand Canyon Men’s Volleyball (Volunteer Ast. Coach) – 2016
ALBANY, Ore. (KPTV) – It’s a new year with the same goals for the girls of top-ranked South Albany Redhawks.
“It really makes you think what we have done here is truly amazing and to make sure you take it in because it’s not a common thing,” said Kaylee Cordle, South Albany High School senior.
Senioritis is real as the calendar flips to January for the senior class of 2026.
“It’s just reminding us that we need to take it all in while we can,” said Maddie Angel, South Albany senior.
The Redhawks soar into Mid-Willamette Conference play after falling just short in overtime of the 5A state final last March on the heels of placing third a year prior.
“I think that when I had older, upperclassmen telling me that people leave for our games and they stay for the boys’ games, that made me mad,” said Taylor Donaldson, South Albany senior. “It made me upset when people said that nobody thinks anything of South Albany and that’s not the case anymore.”
A trio of South Albany’s seven seniors also spiked with the Redhawks back-to-back state volleyball champs. Angel, Cordle, and Donaldson helped capture the first team titles in school history.
“We knew we could change the culture here and that’s exactly what we did,” Cordle said.
Making an impact on the court and in the classroom, the volleyball team’s cumulative GPA was 3.92. Basketball has big brains and big dreams too.
“Our mental game is a lot different now,” Angel said. “I think that we are stronger mentally especially than we were freshman year when we made it to the state championships, and we didn’t win a single game.”
Donaldson is a basketball commit to the University of Wyoming and looking to major in kinesiology in Laramie, Cordle will be off to study nursing and hoop it up at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, and Angel is undecided where she’ll pursue a business degree and play volleyball at the next level.
“Everyone is just kind of all in. We’ve been around each other for our years so there’s not any beef,” Donaldson. “There can’t be any beef really, so I just think team chemistry-wise, it’s amazing.”
For Kaylee, this last flight is bittersweet as her dad, head coach Marc Cordle, has been their coach since the first grade.
“Sometimes it’s hard to separate basketball and life but me and him do a really good job of making sure we two separate,” Cordle said. “And I think it’s super special that we get to share all of these moments together that I will remember for the rest of my life and my dad is going to be a part of it.”
“You’d be shocked to see how much he actually listens to our input which I don’t think most players can really say,” Donaldson said.
“I pretty much owe everything I know of basketball to my dad,” Cordle said.
Hard to believe but we’re just 10 weeks out from crowning basketball state champs as the Redhawks look to hang another banner in the gym.
The second event of 2026 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center brought a crowd and a vibe not seen or heard since the last time Hawaii men’s volleyball took center stage.
The second-ranked Rainbow Warriors opened the season in front of a raucous crowd of 5,685 that still sounded like it was celebrating the new year as they watched Hawaii sweep New Jersey Institute of Technology 25-11, 25-16, 25-14 on Friday night.
Nine months after beating Long Beach State for the Big West championship, which is the last time the arena drew a crowd this big for a UH sporting event, Hawaii returned to its home floor with five of its seven starters back from a run to the national semifinals.
Sophomore Kristian Titriyski, who missed the final eight matches of his freshman season with an ankle injury, led Hawaii with 12 kills.
All five starting pins and middles hit .455 or better for the match as UH hit .517 as a team and had 13 1/2 blocks.
“We didn’t get to practice in here until today. You could tell the guys had a lot of extra energy,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “This is something that we will never take for granted. So appreciative when (the fans) are taking the time and spending the money to come out and here and support us and we are doing everything we can to put on a good show and win matches.”
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Sophomore Adrien Roure, who was an AVCA first-team All-American as a freshman, hit .538 with eight kills in two swings.
Louis Sakanoko, one of two third-year starters, had four kills in eight swings and sophomore middle transfer Trevell Jordan also had four kills with six blocks.
Justin Todd, who has played both in the middle and on the outside, switched back to middle during practice this week and put down all three of his kill attempts before resting in the third set.
Junior setter Tread Rosenthal, the floor captain, tied a career high with eight blocks and had 26 assists, three digs and two kills, including the match-ender after 95 minutes.
“It was impressive,” Wade said. “Two hitting errors in two sets and four errors total will get it done. Overall pretty efficient dominant performance and stoked to see the guys play that well.”
Rosenthal had two aces during Hawaii’s 5-0 run to start the match, setting the tone for what would be a quick night.
Hawaii hit .556 in the opening set with only one error and had three aces, with one from Titriyski that was initially ruled out but called in after a challenge that last about 15 seconds.
Hawaii continued its offensive efficiency in the second set, again hitting over .500 to control the set.
A triple block by Titriyski, Sakanoko and Todd ended the set and was the 10th for Hawaii, while the Highlanders had yet to record a block and were hitting .059.
UH made changes to the lineup in the third set, bringing in sophomores Ofeck Hazan in the middle and Finn Kearney on the outside.
Hawaii showed little drop-off and had a chance to hit over .500 in all three sets until it needed four swings to end match point.
“They were playing smart, staying high, not letting the ball go down to their level, and even when it was a bad set, they kept it in play and just kept playing,” Rosenthal said of his teammates. “I think our guys showed that they could play smart and pretty efficient.”
The Rainbow Warriors played without sophomore opposite Kainoa Wade and freshman middle Roman Payne, who are both injured.
Andre Aleixo had 10 kills to lead the Highlanders, who finished the match without a block.
Coming out of high school, Morgan Creer’s first offer to play collegiate volleyball came from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS). She jumped at the chance to play for the Lions, and hasn’t looked back.
Creer, a 6-foot right side hitter, recently finished up her sophomore season with the Lions. For her first two seasons, she was third on the team in kills and second in blocks.
“Sometimes in volleyball, it’s not always about slamming the ball,” Creer said. “You’ve got to work on your shots, you’ve got to tool (hitting the ball off a blocker’s hands) and roll (a technique to get in better defensive position after a hard hit) and throw down the ball. So, I like playing mind games on other people.”
As a sophomore, Creer finished with 191 kills, and had seven matches where she had at least 10 kills, including 14 in a September match against Ouachita Baptist. She also had 14 blocks.
“I signed with UAFS, and that was my first offer,” Creer said. “I think I was at my sister’s volleyball game, and I got a phone call from (coach Jane Sargent). Right after she gave me the offer. I was like, I’m completely down (with accepting it). … And I’m grateful to be here.”
Morgan Creer (photo provided by Gracie Dean)
Playing at UAFS also checked a lot of boxes in other ways for Creer. It wasn’t too far from home, having played high school ball at Hooks, Texas, just outside of Texarkana. She likes the program and playing for Sargent, the Lions’ longtime coach.
Creer said the school has the degree – media communications and business – she’s pursuing. But she hasn’t ruled out possibly being a coach after college, as she has also coached youth volleyball on the side.
Volleyball has been a lifelong passion for Creer, whose mother coached the sport. Having spent time in the gym at a young age, Creer also used volleyball as a diversion from having to do her homework. What also drew Creer to volleyball was the sport’s mental aspect.
“It’s like a mental sport where you can have fun and then cancel all the noise in the outside world and all your problems,” she said. “And like if you’re upset, like take it out on a ball and then have fun at the same time. … And when you’re inside those lines in the volleyball court, your problems go away. That for me, that makes life so much easier.”
Creer recorded more than 1,000 kills in her high school career. While in high school, she also played AAU volleyball in Dallas, going there three times a week, even on school nights. Though Creer also played basketball in high school, it still didn’t compare to playing volleyball and the bonds she shared with her teammates in that sport.
“You just have fun and you make friends and like my AAU team, we still talk to this day,” she said. “Without volleyball, I would not be traveling the world or I would still be in Texarkana if I was not in volleyball. … I have had fun, like I have a great support system and everybody just wants to watch me be great and everybody knows that I’ve been playing this sport since I was five years old and nothing has changed my mind.”
In preparation for her third season, Creer wants to add another dimension to her game. Not to mention attaining a few goals.
“I’m really trying to train to be a six-rotation right side serving and passing; that’s a goal for me,” she said. “Then, I want to keep building team chemistry with each other. Be the leader on the court, be the vocalist on the court. Stars don’t yell all the time, but you need to back it up on the court so I would be that person.”
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Cameron Walker announced Keith Smith as the next head volleyball coach at Utah State on Saturday.
Smith brings extensive experience working within the USA Volleyball pipeline and most recently served as an assistant coach at TCU in 2025, helping guide the Horned Frogs to a 21-11 record and a win in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. TCU appeared in every AVCA poll during the season and finished the 2025 campaign ranked No. 9, marking the first top-10 ranking in program history. The Horned Frogs also recorded a program-best six victories over top-25 opponents.
“I’m excited to welcome Keith to Utah State as our new head volleyball coach,” said Walker. “He’s a proven recruiter with a strong track record of developing players. From the start of the hiring process, his professionalism and expertise were evident, and his attributes and vision aligned with those of our volleyball student-athletes, making him the ideal choice to advance Utah State volleyball. His background with USA Volleyball will be invaluable as the program works to reach the next level.”
Before the 2025 season, Smith served as an assistant coach for the women’s U21 national team at the 2025 NORCECA Pan American Cup, helping Team USA capture a gold medal in Costa Rica. The team swept all five matches en route to the championship.
“I am grateful to USU Vice President and Director of Athletics Cameron Walker and the search committee for trusting me with the opportunity to continue Utah State volleyball’s rich history,” said Smith. “My goal is not to rebuild the program, but to retool it for long-term, sustainable success that keeps it on an upward trajectory.”
At Auburn, Smith spent three seasons (2022–24) as an assistant coach. The Tigers posted back-to-back 20-win seasons, including a modern program-record 22 victories in 2022, and earned back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023 for the first time in school history. Auburn recorded six top-25 wins during his tenure, matching the program’s combined total from the previous 15 seasons. In 2023, the Tigers also made their first-ever appearance in the AVCA Poll.
Working primarily with the setters, Smith helped elevate Auburn’s offensive production. Jackie Barrett became the sixth setter in program history to reach 1,000 assists in a season, achieving the milestone in 2022 while earning SEC Setter of the Week honors twice. Barrett again surpassed 1,000 assists in 2023 and guided the Tigers to a .241 hitting percentage, the third-best in program history.
Smith also played a key role in planning and conducting daily practices, including skill development, game strategy, and preparing scouting reports.
“My philosophy and core values focus on putting people and connections first while maintaining the standards and discipline that lead to excellence,” Smith added. “Success begins with the daily decisions we make to build winning habits. I’m excited to bring a highly competitive staff to Logan and develop a roster that will chase championships in the new Pac-12 and wins in the NCAA Tournament.”
Before Auburn, Smith served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Grand Canyon, helping the men’s program emerge as a national contender. The Lopes recorded 19 wins over top-15 opponents, including a straight-set upset of No. 1 BYU in 2021, climbed as high as No. 6 in the AVCA Poll and produced five All-Americans.
An accomplished recruiter, Smith helped GCU secure the nation’s No. 8-ranked signing class in 2021, highlighted by 10 of the top 50 recruits nationally. His work earned national recognition as a 2021 AVCA 30 Under 30 award winner, honoring the top coaches in the country under the age of 30.
As an assistant coach at Providence in 2017, he helped the team earn its first winning season in 10 years and its most conference wins since it rejoined the Big East.
In seven years with USA Volleyball, Smith has worked with the National Team Development Program, including the women’s U21 national team in 2025 and as an assistant coach for the men’s national team at the 2021 NORCECA Championships, where Team USA finished fifth.
During his collegiate career, Smith was a setter at Grand Canyon, finishing with a school record 4,484 career assists. He totaled 1,294 assists in 2013, ranking 10th all-time in NCAA history during the 25-point scoring era.
After college, Smith played professionally with Orion TopVolley in the Netherlands, helping the team finish in the top four in the regular season, playoffs and national club tournament.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a master’s degree in business administration from Grand Canyon University.
Smith and his wife, Kierstin, have one son, Theodore.
PARKERSBURG – Wood County Christian and Ohio Valley University graduate Kayla Ward has been hired as the next head volleyball coach at Parkersburg Catholic.
Ward, who works for the IRS in human resources and is replacing Michelle Wiltse, most recently served as an assistant and junior varsity coach at Williamstown.
“We’re going to do that after Christmas break and try to get the kids excited,” replied Ward when asked if she had a chance to meet with the team yet. “Just try to get them excited and get other kids excited about going.
“My goal this year is definitely just to create some ways for Catholic volleyball and hopefully other people will want to join the program.”
A 2006 graduate at Wood County Christian, Ward was recruited to play volleyball at OVU for head coach Paul Jacoby where she earned her degree in elementary education and special education in 2010.
“I did not,” admitted Ward when asked if she played volleyball for the Fighting Scots. “I had a baby instead.”
During her time as a Wildcat, Ward competed in volleyball, basketball and track.
Along with serving as an assistant girls basketball coach at Belpre, Ward coached middle school track for three years and was an assistant for two years for cross country.
Ward, who also was an assistant track coach at Williamstown Middle School and an assistant cross country at the high school, led the WMS volleyball team to three state Wood County championships.
“I definitely jumped at the chance,” Ward said. “They had a need and I got asked if I was interested and I jumped on it.”
Parkersburg Catholic is in its final year as a member of the Little Kanawha Conference as they are set to be members of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference.
“I do know we’ll have more regional opponents that we’ll see,” Ward added. “We’ll still play some of the LKC rivalries, but still have those regional opponents as well.”
Ward won’t be in the building at PCHS, which she admitted “definitely helped” in the past.
“That’s a little bit of a challenge now. I was able to sub during the government shutdown,” she added. “We’re going to have some summer stuff and hopefully we can get some interest that way and get the conditioning started in the spring, summer and start rolling.
“I’m excited for the opportunity. Definitely a little nervous. My goal is to have fun, but I want them to be competitive. Ultimately my goal is to build a championship program. That’s the ultimate goal. We’re going to work hard, compete and have fun at the same time.”
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com
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