SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. – Five years ago, Ashley and Ian Harris arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a vision.
What has followed is one of the most successful and transformative stretches in the history of Pomeroy Athletics.
Since coming to The Woods in 2021, the Harris family has helped elevate SMWC volleyball into a national brand, with Ashley Harris leading the women's program and Ian Harris guiding the men's program, while both continue to assist and support one another across both teams.
The results have been historic.
Prior to their arrival, the SMWC women's volleyball program had seen its win total decline in three straight seasons. Ashley Harris took over the program in late June of 2021, with only weeks to rebuild a roster and prepare for the season. But that first group found its rhythm late, caught fire when it mattered most, and captured the first USCAA National Championship in program history.
It was only the beginning.
Over the next four seasons, the Pomeroys averaged an eye-popping 29 wins per year and completely rewrote the SMWC women's volleyball record book. With 116 wins over the past four seasons, the women's program is tied for the seventh-most victories in the NAIA during that span.
"The last five years have been some of the best of my life," Ashley Harris said. "We get to work with great people every day, and run the programs the way we choose, which for a coach, is a great feeling."
As the women's program was rising, the foundation was being built for something brand new.
SMWC men's volleyball began its first season of competition in the spring of 2023. Like most first-year programs, there were growing pains. The Pomeroys finished 3-24 in their inaugural season, but the Harris vision was already taking root.
One year later, SMWC became the most improved team in the country, jumping to a 17-15 record in 2024. That success proved to be a preview of what was coming. In 2025 and 2026, the men's program won 53 matches, the third-most in the NAIA over that two-year stretch.
Together, the two programs have reached a level unmatched anywhere in college volleyball. No college in the country, at any level, has more combined women's and men's volleyball wins over the past two seasons than the 115 victories achieved by the Harris-led Pomeroys.
"We had a vision when we decided to come to SMWC of this becoming one of the top volleyball schools in the country," Ian Harris said. "Thanks to an incredible group of girls and guys that we have had that bought into what we preach about hard work and loving each other, SMWC has become a real brand in NAIA college volleyball."
For Associate Vice President for SMWC Athletics Kevin Lanke, the impact of the Harris family has been felt throughout the department.
"Ashley and Ian Harris have made huge contributions to SMWC over the past five years," Lanke said. "In addition to running successful volleyball programs, navigating large rosters with high levels of academic and athletic success, they have also emerged as leaders and mentors for our student-athletes and coaching staff. SMWC is thrilled to have Ashley and Ian as part of the Pomeroys team!"
That brand has been built through relentless recruiting, player development, and a culture rooted in family.
Ashley and Ian have helped SMWC establish recruiting pipelines in Puerto Rico, Texas, Arizona and beyond, while also bringing international student-athletes to The Woods from places such as Serbia, Australia and Belize. The result has been two rosters filled with talent, personality, diversity and belief.
"There are two things that you notice about our teams immediately: we are extremely diverse with players from all across the country and the world, and that we are almost always the shorter team," Ian Harris said. "We pride ourselves on being able to be a home for any person, regardless of race, religion, anything like that. We simply want great people to be a part of our family.
"We have won a ton of matches here with players that were told they were too short and too small. We don't always look the part, but when that whistle blows, we play big."
That message has resonated deeply with the student-athletes who have helped build the programs.
For Yammiel Martinez, who was part of the men's program from its earliest days, the impact went far beyond wins and losses.
"Coach Ian and Ashley were a significant part of my experience in The Woods," Martinez said. "They saw potential back when everyone was telling me I was too short and skinny to play. They showed me what hard work and discipline does to someone who will give 100%. The most important one of all was the lesson I learned from them about trusting the process, going from only winning three games in our first season to now was a life lesson I'll never forget. Just because it's not good now doesn't mean that it won't change tomorrow."
While the trophies, records and national rankings have changed the perception of SMWC volleyball, the Harris impact has also extended well beyond competition.
This past year, the two programs graduated a combined 15 student-athletes, with another 12 on pace to graduate following the upcoming school year. Their work has helped shape not only championship-level teams, but student-athletes prepared for life after The Woods.
"With five years of faithful service to SMWC Athletics, the Harris family has lifted the women's volleyball program to a higher level and successfully launched the men's volleyball program," said SMWC President Brennan Randolph. "They bring a unique element of family to both teams that players and families appreciate. Both Ashley and Ian are valued leaders in the athletic administration team and their support of all of Pomeroy Athletics has been instrumental to the success of the department."
Five years ago, Ashley and Ian Harris came to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a belief in what SMWC volleyball could become.
Today, that belief has become reality.
A national championship. Record-breaking seasons. A new men's program built from the ground up. Recruiting pipelines stretching across the country and around the world. More combined wins than any college volleyball program in the nation over the past two seasons.
And most importantly, a culture where players are challenged, supported and taught to play bigger than anyone expected.
At The Woods, the Harris era has not just changed volleyball.
It has helped define what is possible.
