ELMIRA, N.Y. – Elmira College Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce has announced the hiring of Savannah Terry '21 as head women's volleyball coach this afternoon. Terry becomes the 6^th head coach in the program's 48-year history after taking over for Interim Head Coach Ryan McDonough '19, who will be coaching full-time with the men's program.

"I would first like to thank Ryan for acting as our head coach this past season,'' said Faunce. "It allowed us a smoother transition to a permanent situation. That being said, I am thrilled to have Savannah come "home" to be our next Head Women's Volleyball coach. The fact that I have worked with and coached her, gives me great confidence she is the right person to take over for the job."
 
Terry returns to Elmira after a two-year stint at Division-III Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts which she began following her graduation from Elmira College. During her time with the Pioneers, Terry was part of a staff that was able to guide its team to a 42-22 record (.656%) from 2021-22.
 
"I am extremely fortunate that I get to return to a program that had such an impact on my life", said Terry. "I am excited that I can finally give back to the athletes what I received from the great coaches who ran the program during my time at Elmira. I would like to thank Rhonda (Faunce) for believing in me and allowing me to take over a program that I know is very important to her."
 
In her first competition season under head coach Greg Walker, Terry was a crucial part of one of the country's best season turnarounds. The 2021 season for Smith was its most successful season since 2013, as the Pioneers went on to post a 21-11 record, and a NEWMAC Tournament appearance. One of the keys to the team's resurgence was an outstanding recruiting class that included 12 first-year athletes. 
 
"When you combine her love of EC with the great experience she has received at Smith the last couple of years, I think her strengths will be recruiting and bringing in well-qualified student-athletes right away to get us back on track", said Faunce. "Savannah in general is a great addition to our staff and I am excited to have her around again. She brings great energy and a witty intelligence that will keep her players and our staff on their toes."
 
While at Smith, the Pioneers finished first in the conference in all point-scoring categories with team kills, service aces, and blocks.  The Pioneers had six student-athletes receive postseason honors by the NEWVA for their success on the court, while Olivia Smith was named to the 2021 NEWMAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team.  Terry was on the staff that the head coach was selected by his peers as the 2021 NEWMAC Coach of the Year.

Before her time at Smith, Terry was a four-year member of the Soaring Eagles Women's Volleyball team, earning Empire 8 All-Conference and All-Tournament honors during the 2019 season, and a First Team All-Conference honor in 2020. A two-time conference player of the week, Terry played in 103 matches while tallying nearly 600 kills, 187.0 total blocks, and 820.0 points. Her 134 block assists rank 7^th for a career in program history.
 
Terry is a native of Owego, New York, and graduated from Elmira College in 2021 with a degree in Psychology & Human Services.