RALEIGH, N.C. – One of the winningest coaches in Meredith Athletics history is hanging up her whistle.
 
After 16 seasons at the helm of the Avenging Angel volleyball program, Fiona Barkley will be transitioning out of coaching to become the Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs/SWA at Meredith.  
 
Barkley has filled many roles within the athletics department since 2009 including Director of the Annual Golf Tournament, Athletics Banquet Coordinator, SAAC advisor, and she was on the committee that started the Avenging Angels Club. Since 2021, she has served as the Interim Assistant Athletic Director with oversight of compliance, sports information, and facilities.
 
In her new role, she will oversee compliance, academics, facility maintenance and scheduling, student-athlete affairs programming, and serve as a sport administrator. She will also serve as Meredith's SWA representative for the USA South Conference.
 
"Leading the Meredith volleyball program has been a privilege," said Barkley. "The young women I have had the honor of coaching will always have a special place in my heart. I am proud of the culture and competitiveness we have built. The 2023 season was a coach's dream. To finish my career with so much to celebrate is an amazing feeling. The athletes, fans, and supporters showed up big! The energy and excitement around Meredith volleyball is incredible and I know the program will continue to do great things."

Since 2007, Barkley has led the team to a 291-186 overall, and 177-87 conference record. Under her direction, the program has garnered NCAA Tournament Appearances three times, three USA South Conference Tournament Championships, and three USA South Regular Season Championships. She has had players named USA South Rookie of the Year twice, Libero of the Year twice, and Player of the Year once. Meredith has also had 43 players named USA South All-Conference and twelve All-Tournament including two Tournament MVPs. Three Meredith players, Karlie Long, Caroline Corey, and Lauren Bissette have been named AVCA All-Region. In 2014, Karlie Long became the program's first player to be named AVCA All-American. Then in 2016, Carolina Corey was named AVCA South Region Freshman of the Year.

Barkley went out on top in her last season as the Angels made a clean sweep of the USA South claiming the USA South Regular Season and Tournament Titles. Barkley was also named USA South Coach of the Year for the third time in her final season.

"I am so excited to announce that Fiona Barkley has accepted a new role on my Leadership team," Athletics Director Dr. Shannon Yates stated. "She has been an outstanding volleyball coach and is a winner in every aspect. She is respected by her fellow coaches, student-athletes, and Meredith College colleagues. She has been invaluable to me as I began my role as Director of Athletics. She brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and sincere love for Meredith College to this new position. I look forward to working with Fiona as we continue to focus on building champions in the classroom, competition, and in our community."

The Avenging Angels have started off the 2023-24 Athletic Year leading in the USA South Womens Presidents Cup standings. Cross Country repeated as Conference Champions to go along with the Volleyball fall Titles. Meredith also tallied the most cans in the Athletic department's history while they competed in Cans Across the Conference. They raised a total of 1,716 cans between donations and actual cans.

The pairing of Yates and Barkley gives Meredith Athletics a hopeful future as the two will look to keep Meredith Going Strong for years to come.

Before her time at Meredith, Barkley served as an assistant coach at NC State University, Lynn University, and Elon University. She earned BS in Sports Management from Elon where she an outside hitter on the volleyball team. She then went on to earn a MBA with a Sports Administration Concentration from Lynn University. 
 
"When I began coaching collegiate volleyball I knew I was lucky to have found a career that I love. I am excited to use that passion to serve my fellow coaches and athletes from an administrative perspective."