Grace Campbell was named the new Head Women's Volleyball Coach in June of 2024 following the retirement of longtime head coach Jonathan Penn. Campbell comes to Poughkeepsie with a robust background from her time at Smith College, where she recently served as Associate Head Coach.
During her time at Smith from 2019 to 2023, Campbell was instrumental in one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the country, propelling the team from an 11-21 record to an impressive 21-11 mark the following season. This resurgence included making their first NEWMAC postseason semifinal appearance since 2005. Under her guidance, the team achieved three consecutive postseason appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Grace to the Vassar Athletics family", said Walsh. "She will be an outstanding role model, coach, and mentor for our team and I look forward to the future of the women's volleyball program under her leadership."
In 2021, Smith put together a dynamic season, which led to the coaching staff being honored as NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year. The following year, the team matched their significant strides as they advanced to the NEWMAC Semifinals, reflecting the staff's strong recruitment and development strategies.
Campbell expressed her enthusiasm about the new role, saying, "I am honored to join Vassar College, a place that values both athletic and academic achievements. I look forward to building a strong, competitive team and contributing to the college's storied athletic tradition."
Campbell's commitment to advancing women in sports was further recognized through consecutive Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching grants in 2021 and 2022, awarded by the Women's Sports Foundation. These accolades underscore her dedication to fostering growth and development in women's athletics and have supported her continuous professional development.
Campbell's career also includes significant experience at Mount Holyoke, where she assisted with the Athletic Department Communications team in 2022. She has additional coaching experience as a Volunteer Assistant at Sage College, and with NY Attack and The Legion Volleyball Clubs, emphasizing her diverse coaching background.
Campbell was a four-year starter as a student-athlete at The College of Saint Rose and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management and a minor in Marketing in 2019. She earned her Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith in 2021.
