ASU Sun Devils Volleyball: Coach Chris Hammer Charts a Bold Path Forward

  asu-sun-devils-volleyball-coach-chris-hammer-charts-a-bold-path-forward.html
  Travel and Leisure on Tue, Nov 11th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

ASU Sun Devils Volleyball: Coach Chris Hammer Reflects on the Program’s Present and Future

In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated’s college sports team, Arizona State University’s (ASU) head coach, Chris Hammer, laid out a comprehensive picture of where the Sun Devils volleyball program stands today—and where he envisions it heading in the coming years. The conversation, which ran through the full scope of the 2023 season, recruitment pipelines, coaching philosophy, and the challenges and opportunities facing the team, offers fans and analysts alike a rare inside look at the heart of a program that has long been a staple of the Pac‑12.

A Legacy of Growth

Hammer, who took the helm at ASU in 2011, is no stranger to the volatility of college volleyball. Over his decade‑long tenure, he has shepherded the Sun Devils from a modest 13‑14 record in his first season to a 20‑9 mark in 2020, earning the team its first-ever Pac‑12 regular‑season title in 2019. “We’ve built a culture of resilience,” Hammer said, citing the program’s ability to rebound from setbacks—whether the COVID‑19 pandemic or the loss of key senior players. He attributes the program’s steady climb to a “focus on fundamentals, coupled with a willingness to take calculated risks” on the court.

“People keep saying we’re a mid‑tier team, but the metrics show we’re consistently outperforming our opponents,” Hammer told SI, referencing the Sun Devils’ 2019–2022 winning streaks against top‑10 ranked teams. He also highlighted the team’s uptick in hitting efficiency and serve‑receive passing—metrics that have improved by an average of 4% over the past three seasons.

The Recruitment Engine

Recruiting remains the lifeblood of any successful program, and Hammer’s approach reflects his long‑standing belief that talent can be identified, nurtured, and ultimately integrated into a cohesive unit. In the interview, he explained that ASU’s recruiting strategy is anchored in “finding players who not only have the skill but also fit our culture of hard work and mental toughness.”

The Sun Devils’ 2023 recruiting class, which includes three highly‑ranked outside hitters and a setter from California’s suburban high school circuit, was touted as the best in the program’s history. Hammer praised the recruiting staff for their “deep network across the West Coast and Midwest” and their capacity to cultivate relationships with high school coaches who can vouch for a player’s work ethic.

“College is a second home,” Hammer remarked. “If a student‑athlete can see themselves thriving here, we’re ready to bring them on board.” This philosophy dovetails with the program’s academic success; the team boasts a 93% graduation rate—a figure that surpasses the Pac‑12 average.

Coaching Philosophy: Adaptability and Innovation

A central theme of Hammer’s interview was the importance of adaptability—both on the court and in the practice room. The 2023 season saw the Sun Devils experiment with a hybrid serve‑receive system, mixing traditional rotations with “block‑side” serve‑receive formations designed to counter aggressive opponents’ offensive sets. While the transition period had its hiccups, the team finished the season with a 12–4 record in the new system, suggesting its effectiveness.

Hammer also underscored the role of technology in modern coaching. “We use real‑time analytics and video‑breakdowns to pinpoint areas of improvement,” he explained. “Our goal is to give the players data that helps them make micro‑adjustments.” In partnership with ASU’s athletic department’s sports science lab, the team now tracks metrics such as jump height, spike speed, and serve velocity in real time, providing a granular view of each player’s development.

The 2024 Outlook

Looking ahead, Hammer set the tone for the upcoming 2024 season: “We’re entering a pivotal year.” The Sun Devils are slated to open the season against the reigning NCAA champions—a scheduling decision that could serve as both a test and a motivator. Hammer believes that such a matchup can “push the team out of its comfort zone and reveal the gaps that need to be addressed before the conference play.”

Key to the team’s future success, Hammer says, will be the integration of a few standout freshmen into the rotation, particularly in the middle‑blocker position, where the Sun Devils have historically been thin. He also noted that the team’s offensive repertoire will expand to incorporate more “vertical plays” that emphasize quick transitions from serve‑receive to attack, a tactic the coaching staff has been refining with the help of former professional player and assistant coach, Kelsey Yoder.

External Influences and Community Engagement

The interview also touched on the broader impact of ASU’s athletics beyond the court. Hammer emphasized the role of the program in fostering community engagement through “volunteer days,” “school‑to‑school visits,” and a partnership with the Glendale Youth Volleyball League. He believes that building a fan base that extends beyond the student body is essential for sustaining the program’s momentum.

According to SI, the Sun Devils have seen a 15% increase in home‑game attendance over the past four seasons—a trend that the coaching staff attributes to a combination of improved on‑court performance and a “more welcoming stadium experience” facilitated by the athletics department.

Conclusion

Chris Hammer’s interview with Sports Illustrated paints a picture of a program that, while proud of its heritage, is relentlessly focused on evolution. From a meticulous recruitment pipeline to data‑driven coaching strategies, Hammer’s vision is to elevate the Sun Devils to a perennial powerhouse in the Pac‑12 and, ultimately, a mainstay in the NCAA tournament’s upper echelons. His candid reflections, backed by statistical achievements and a clear roadmap for the next season, reassure fans that the ASU volleyball program is not only on the cusp of growth but actively forging the path ahead.