Hall of Famer, All-American and Lady Vols pioneer helped build Tennessee into an SEC powerhouse before excelling in professional volleyball and coaching.
A dynamic outside hitter whose impact extended well beyond the stat sheet, Chapple starred for the Lady Vols from 1981 through 1984, helping elevate Tennessee onto both the conference and national stages during one of the most transformative eras in program history.
A Foundation Built on Championships
A native of Inglewood, California, Chapple played a pivotal role in one of Tennessee's most successful stretches, guiding the Lady Vols to:
- Three SEC Regular-Season Championships
- Three SEC Tournament Championships
- Four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
- A 121-50 overall record during her collegiate career
Her leadership helped Tennessee earn the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in 1982, a five-set triumph over Northwestern that marked a defining milestone in Lady Vol volleyball history.
One of Tennessee's Greatest Players
By the conclusion of her collegiate career, Chapple had established herself as one of the most accomplished players ever to wear the Orange and White.
In 1984, she became Tennessee's second volleyball All-American, earning recognition from both the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
She continues to rank among the program's all-time leaders:
- Second in career service aces (244)
- Third in career kills (1,650)
Her 1984 season produced 483 kills, still ranking among the best single-season performances during the non-rally scoring era. One year earlier, she recorded 95 service aces, another benchmark that remains among Tennessee's finest offensive seasons.
Success Beyond Rocky Top
Following her standout collegiate career, Chapple carried her success onto the international stage.
She began her professional career in Italy, where she helped Reggio Emilia reach the Italian Division I League Finals, while also advancing to the finals of both the Italian Cup and the prestigious European Cup Winners' Cup (Coppa delle Coppe).
Her versatility extended to beach volleyball, where she captured the Italian 3x3 Beach Championship, showcasing her all-around skill set.
When professional volleyball expanded in the United States, Chapple became one of the league's earliest stars after being selected in the first round of Major League Volleyball, the nation's inaugural professional volleyball league.
Playing for the New York Liberties, she earned First Team All-Pro honors, cementing her status as one of the country's elite players.
Giving Back to the Game
Following her professional playing career, Chapple dedicated herself to developing the next generation of athletes through club volleyball coaching.
Her lifelong contributions to Tennessee Athletics were formally recognized in 2003, when she was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame, joining an elite group of Volunteers whose impact transcended wins and championships.
Remembering a Lady Vol Icon
April Chapple's influence reached far beyond records and accolades. She helped establish the championship culture that continues to define Tennessee volleyball today.
Her achievements as a student-athlete, professional player, coach and ambassador for the sport leave an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of Lady Vols.
As Tennessee Athletics, former teammates, coaches and fans reflect on her remarkable life and career, Chapple will be remembered not only as one of the greatest players in program history, but as a trailblazer whose contributions forever changed Tennessee volleyball.
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-- By Andréa Mochida
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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