Torri Henry has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Columbia women’s volleyball team, according to an announcement from head coach Patric Santiago.
“We are thrilled to be able to announce Torri Henry as our newest assistant coach,” Santiago said. “As a player, she used her character and work ethic to elevate herself to her maximum potential, leading her conference in assists for three years of her career. Her volleyball IQ, strategic acumen, and competitiveness are undeniable, and her transition into an elite coach is inevitable. Coming from a strong collegiate and club background, Torri will make an immediate impact, especially in driving home the principle that champions execute the simple, basic skills and behaviors better than everyone else. As talented a volleyball player as she is, Torri is an even better human being and checks all of our boxes for character and work ethic. She will be especially valuable to our setters and offense. We are beyond excited to see the impact she will have with our team and to see her coaching journey unfold.”
Henry arrives at Columbia after playing five seasons as a setter at Stony Brook University. During her tenure with the Seawolves, she recorded 4,584 assists, 1,366 digs, and 176 service aces—each placing in the top-10 of Stony Brook’s program history.
She was recognized twice as a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) all-conference honoree. In both 2023 and 2024 she led the CAA in assists and was named CAA Setter of the Year in 2023.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Henry held leadership roles off the court at Stony Brook. She represented student-athletes through SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and served as president of the Black Student Athlete Huddle—a group focused on representing Black student-athletes’ interests by organizing speaker panels, cultural events, and community service activities.
While still competing as a student-athlete, Henry began coaching by providing private lessons that emphasized advanced footwork and body positioning for aspiring players. She also designed individualized practice plans aimed at improving specific setting techniques. This spring she worked as an assistant coach at Stony Brook where she supported recruiting efforts and assisted with practices by running drills and offering technical feedback.
“I am truly honored to join Columbia volleyball and begin my coaching career in such an inspiring environment,” Henry said. “I’m grateful to Coach Santiago for trusting me to be part of the culture and foundation he is building here. Columbia’s tradition of excellence, combined with the energy and diversity of New York City, makes this an incredible place to grow as a coach and as a person. From the moment I met the staff and student-athletes, I could feel how special this program is, and I can’t wait to contribute to its future. Roar Lion Roar!”
Stony Brook head coach Kristin Belzung also commented on Henry’s appointment: “Torri is a future star in our coaching profession and will be a tremendous addition to Columbia’s athletic department and coaching staff,” Belzung said. “Not only does she already have a great mind for the game, but she has proven over her playing career to be a tireless worker and has a desire to continue to learn and grow. In addition, she placed value on developing holistically, and I anticipate her being able to connect that mindset to the student-athletes she gets to work with.”
Henry grew up in Belton, Missouri. She graduated from Stony Brook with degrees in psychology and political science before earning an MBA focused on innovation earlier this year.
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