MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner Volleyball Coach Tori Renda announced to her team this week that the 2026 season will be her final campaign with the program. Renda, who took over the program in 2005, will make her 22nd season the final tour of her career as she readies to launch a full-time career in professional counseling.

"After more than two decades in this gym, it's time for me to step into a new season of life. Coaching at Faulkner has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and the women I've coached have shaped me in ways I'll carry forever, Renda said. "Stepping down isn't a decision made from a place of sadness or burnout, but from a deep sense of purpose as I follow where I feel called next. Ultimately my family needs me at home more and I feel the Lord is guiding me to serve in a different way through counseling."

"We honor Coach Renda's decision to step away from Faulkner Volleyball after the Fall 2026 season. She is walking the walk. Her decision to make a career pivot for the sake of an amplified family focus is something that I give my full support to as a colleague and a friend," Faulkner Athletic Director Reed Sutton said. "She is a fantastic example to our athletes on what a great wife, stepmother, daughter, and granddaughter should look like."

Renda has guided the Lady Eagles to 354 wins in her 21 years as head coach, a run that includes the 2018 SSAC championship and a berth in the NAIA national tournament. She led the program to consecutive appearances in the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament in 2005 and 2006, the last two seasons Faulkner was a member of the organization. She she received the Coach of Character award from both Faulkner and the Southern States Athletic Conference in the 2012-2013 year. Her teams have received eight SSAC Sportsmanship Awards since its inception in 2008. 

In the fall of 2014 Renda was named head coach of the Alabama-based Special Olympics Team USA Unified Volleyball program which went on to earn a gold medal in the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles. In addition, the USA delegation committee honored her by selecting her to represent Special Olympics Team USA at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the event's closing ceremonies. In November of 2015, Renda received the Special Olympics Alabama Outstanding Coach - Professional Award for her distinguished service to the organization. The honor goes to the professional special educator who demonstrates leadership, a high degree of technical skill and the commitment needed to motivate and train athletes. 

She co-founded the Capital City Juniors Volleyball Club in 2008 and has served as director, assistant director and coach for the organization. She has coached at the 15's, 17's and 18's level and also secured consecutive regional championships in 2012 and 2013 with the 18-1 team. She has also won two AAU National Championships with 17's teams, in 2017 and 2022.

While Renda the 2026 season will serve as the final tour for Renda, her focus remains on making it as long of a campaign as possible.

"We still have one more season together, and I want it to be one for the record books," Renda said. "I believe in this team, and I'm ready to chase one more championship with them."

"We want to put every ounce of energy into making her last season with Faulkner her best season ever, while taking the appropriate time to do a national search for a seamless succession plan," Sutton said. "We have total faith that God is going to show up in a big way for Coach Renda and all involved with Faulkner Volleyball."

The university will also look to celebrate Renda and her 22 years of service as part of Homecoming weekend. Faulkner volleyball invites all of its former players to return to campus for the SSAC matchup against William Carey that is set for Friday, Oct. 16. More details on that event will be available in the weeks ahead.

Faulkner will soon begin a thorough and comprehensive search for its fourth head volleyball coach in program history.