Women's Volleyball
Slabe, Luka
vs
Miami
Oct 3 (Fri)
7pm
Luka Slabe
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email Address:
- lslabe@ncsu.edu
Slabe finished his fifth season with the Wolfpack in 2024. He holds a 78-55 record overall and 50-39 record in ACC play.
Under his leadership, the Wolfpack earned an at-large bid to make just the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in 2024. After closing out the season with wins over Miami, who was receiving votes at the time, and No. 10 SMU, the Wolfpack secured a spot in the post season.
With the win at Wake Forest on Nov. 13, 2024, Slabe marked his 46th win in ACC play in his tenure. At the conclusion of the conference slate, he tallied 50 wins and the mark set the new program record for most wins in conference play for a coach.
Slabe helped standout opposite hitter Amanda Rice surpass the 1,000 career kill mark to become the first athlete under his leadership to achieve the milestone and become the sixth person in the rally scoring era to do so in program history. He also helped middle blocker Jada Allen garner 400 career blocks to become just the third person in program history to do so in the rally scoring era.
The Wolfpack recorded a historic season in 2023. Slabe led the team to an overall record of 22-7, his first 20-win season as a head coach and the first for the program since 2017. The program opened the season 11-1, highlighted by a ten match win-streak, to mark the best start to a season and longest win-streak since 2014. On October 1, the Pack defeated then No. 5 Louisville in four sets to mark the first win over a top-five team and first win over a ranked team in Reynolds Coliseum in program history. The win over the Cardinals also marked only the second win over a ranked team in program history. In the first RPI ranking released during the 2023 season, the Pack checked in at 29, a program best, and remained in the top 45 through the remainder of the season.
The 2023 season allowed Slabe to mark 50 career wins at the helm of the program. At the conclusion of the season, Slabe ranked third in program history for ACC win percentage (.557), and ranked fourth for overall win percentage (.596) and ACC wins (39).
Luka Slabe was hired as the head coach for NC State volleyball on Feb. 10, 2020. Slabe joins the Wolfpack after two years with USA Volleyball. While at USA Volleyball Slabe has worked under volleyball legend Karch Kiraly to help the American win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as well as take home a silver medal at the 2019 FIVB World Cup. Additionally, Slabe helped the team win gold in the Volleyball Nations League in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
"I am honored to be considered for this position," said Slabe. "My wife Tina, our two children, and I are excited to continue our journey as a part of the Wolfpack family. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan, Senior Associate Athletic Director Raymond Harrison and the entire Wolfpack Nation for this opportunity. I would also like to thank USA Volleyball for all the support during this transition and during our pursuit of a gold Olympic medal in Tokyo.
"Our team will be dedicated to the pursuit of mastery both on the court and in the classroom. We will play hard for our fans across the country, and represent NC State with pride and honor. We will strive every day to be the best versions of ourselves and create an environment where our players continue to learn and prepare themselves for life after college."
For his second season, his first coaching the team in the fall, Slabe led the Wolfpack to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-8 ACC record, marking the most ACC wins since the 2017 campaign. Slabe coached the team to a couple of notable wins in 2021 highlighted by defeating Rutgers on Sept. 10 which was NC State’s first win over a B1G school in the rally scoring era.
At the end of the season, the Pack finished the year third in the conference in assists (12.83) and kills (13.82) per set while claiming the fourth spot in the ACC in digs per set averaging 14.94. Individually, Evans was named to the All-ACC First Team for the second consecutive season and Jada Allen landed a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.
In his first season at the helm, the Wolfpack went 8-9 including a 7-9 record in conference play after navigating through a difficult year due to the CoVID-19 pandemic. Two Pack players earned all-conference honors in Melissa Evans (First Team) and Jade Parchment (Second Team). Additionally, Evans and Parchment earned All-Region honors as Evans was named to the AVCA East All-Region Team while Parchment was an AVCA East All-Region Honorable Mention.
Prior to his time with the USA National Team, Slabe was an assistant coach with the men's program at his alma mater, BYU from 2015-18. Slabe helped BYU finish as NCAA runners-up in both 2016 and 2017, while also reaching the Final Four in 2018. Additionally, BYU won a pair of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships (2016 and 2018).
From 2013-15, Slabe served as the head coach of the Slovenian National Team, dramatically increasing the program's world ranking. During his tenure as a Head Coach of Slovenia Men's National Team, various professional teams, while competing in the most prestigious club league in the world – Champions League, his teams won eight national and international championship titles.
Slabe played collegiately at BYU, helping the program to the 2001 NCAA Championship. The team was the 2003 NCAA runner-up as well. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training from BYU in August 2003.
What They Are Saying About Luka Slabe…
"Our USA Women's National Team program is pumped for Luka and this chance to lead the NC State volleyball program. Luka has acquired a unique combination of experience, passion, and skills, by working relentlessly at so many different levels of the game both inside the United States and internationally. We've been very fortunate to have him along on this journey, one that will take us together all the way through the Tokyo Closing Ceremonies on August 9. Though we'll miss him greatly after the Olympics, we can't wait to see what he'll do with the Wolfpack on a full-time basis."
- Karch Kiraly, Head Coach, USA Women's Volleyball
"I am thrilled for Luka and the Slabe family as they embark on this new adventure at North Carolina State. Luka is one of the world's top volleyball coaches and his guidance and expertise has aided the U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team in achieving many podium finishes and attaining No. 2 in the world status. Congratulations to North Carolina State on making a wonderful selection for their volleyball program's head coaching position. I am sure that the student-athletes and staff will thrive under Luka's leadership."
- Jamie Davis, CEO of USA Volleyball
"North Carolina State made a great hire in Luka Slabe. Luka will get the right things in place and the program will develop rapidly. He understands teaching at the highest level and teaching is about the way you practice. Luka will find ways to practice the things he will want his players to do and they will become efficient and proficient at repeating these things. And, at the same time, his players will learn how to work harder, focus better and longer, and become more aware. He works extremely hard and will communicate well with his players, always giving them sound, meaningful feedback, and his content is supported by sound statistics and facts. Luka is all about his players and helping them become the players and people that they want to become. I paid close attention to the Slovenia Men's national team when Luka was their head coach and I was impressed with the improvement the team made over a three-year period. As he got things in place, his team became more competitive beating the top teams in the European League. He is very honest and direct with his players and is demanding in a very good way. He teaches his players to move well both efficiently and with power when needed. And they are taught to respond to the situations that occur most often as his players see the game very well. I am excited for NC State Volleyball as they have hired one of the very best in our country."
- Jim McLaughlin, former head coach for the University of Washington
Under his leadership, the Wolfpack earned an at-large bid to make just the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in 2024. After closing out the season with wins over Miami, who was receiving votes at the time, and No. 10 SMU, the Wolfpack secured a spot in the post season.
With the win at Wake Forest on Nov. 13, 2024, Slabe marked his 46th win in ACC play in his tenure. At the conclusion of the conference slate, he tallied 50 wins and the mark set the new program record for most wins in conference play for a coach.
Slabe helped standout opposite hitter Amanda Rice surpass the 1,000 career kill mark to become the first athlete under his leadership to achieve the milestone and become the sixth person in the rally scoring era to do so in program history. He also helped middle blocker Jada Allen garner 400 career blocks to become just the third person in program history to do so in the rally scoring era.
The Wolfpack recorded a historic season in 2023. Slabe led the team to an overall record of 22-7, his first 20-win season as a head coach and the first for the program since 2017. The program opened the season 11-1, highlighted by a ten match win-streak, to mark the best start to a season and longest win-streak since 2014. On October 1, the Pack defeated then No. 5 Louisville in four sets to mark the first win over a top-five team and first win over a ranked team in Reynolds Coliseum in program history. The win over the Cardinals also marked only the second win over a ranked team in program history. In the first RPI ranking released during the 2023 season, the Pack checked in at 29, a program best, and remained in the top 45 through the remainder of the season.
The 2023 season allowed Slabe to mark 50 career wins at the helm of the program. At the conclusion of the season, Slabe ranked third in program history for ACC win percentage (.557), and ranked fourth for overall win percentage (.596) and ACC wins (39).
Luka Slabe was hired as the head coach for NC State volleyball on Feb. 10, 2020. Slabe joins the Wolfpack after two years with USA Volleyball. While at USA Volleyball Slabe has worked under volleyball legend Karch Kiraly to help the American win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as well as take home a silver medal at the 2019 FIVB World Cup. Additionally, Slabe helped the team win gold in the Volleyball Nations League in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
"I am honored to be considered for this position," said Slabe. "My wife Tina, our two children, and I are excited to continue our journey as a part of the Wolfpack family. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan, Senior Associate Athletic Director Raymond Harrison and the entire Wolfpack Nation for this opportunity. I would also like to thank USA Volleyball for all the support during this transition and during our pursuit of a gold Olympic medal in Tokyo.
"Our team will be dedicated to the pursuit of mastery both on the court and in the classroom. We will play hard for our fans across the country, and represent NC State with pride and honor. We will strive every day to be the best versions of ourselves and create an environment where our players continue to learn and prepare themselves for life after college."
For his second season, his first coaching the team in the fall, Slabe led the Wolfpack to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-8 ACC record, marking the most ACC wins since the 2017 campaign. Slabe coached the team to a couple of notable wins in 2021 highlighted by defeating Rutgers on Sept. 10 which was NC State’s first win over a B1G school in the rally scoring era.
At the end of the season, the Pack finished the year third in the conference in assists (12.83) and kills (13.82) per set while claiming the fourth spot in the ACC in digs per set averaging 14.94. Individually, Evans was named to the All-ACC First Team for the second consecutive season and Jada Allen landed a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.
In his first season at the helm, the Wolfpack went 8-9 including a 7-9 record in conference play after navigating through a difficult year due to the CoVID-19 pandemic. Two Pack players earned all-conference honors in Melissa Evans (First Team) and Jade Parchment (Second Team). Additionally, Evans and Parchment earned All-Region honors as Evans was named to the AVCA East All-Region Team while Parchment was an AVCA East All-Region Honorable Mention.
Prior to his time with the USA National Team, Slabe was an assistant coach with the men's program at his alma mater, BYU from 2015-18. Slabe helped BYU finish as NCAA runners-up in both 2016 and 2017, while also reaching the Final Four in 2018. Additionally, BYU won a pair of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships (2016 and 2018).
From 2013-15, Slabe served as the head coach of the Slovenian National Team, dramatically increasing the program's world ranking. During his tenure as a Head Coach of Slovenia Men's National Team, various professional teams, while competing in the most prestigious club league in the world – Champions League, his teams won eight national and international championship titles.
Slabe played collegiately at BYU, helping the program to the 2001 NCAA Championship. The team was the 2003 NCAA runner-up as well. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training from BYU in August 2003.
What They Are Saying About Luka Slabe…
"Our USA Women's National Team program is pumped for Luka and this chance to lead the NC State volleyball program. Luka has acquired a unique combination of experience, passion, and skills, by working relentlessly at so many different levels of the game both inside the United States and internationally. We've been very fortunate to have him along on this journey, one that will take us together all the way through the Tokyo Closing Ceremonies on August 9. Though we'll miss him greatly after the Olympics, we can't wait to see what he'll do with the Wolfpack on a full-time basis."
- Karch Kiraly, Head Coach, USA Women's Volleyball
"I am thrilled for Luka and the Slabe family as they embark on this new adventure at North Carolina State. Luka is one of the world's top volleyball coaches and his guidance and expertise has aided the U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team in achieving many podium finishes and attaining No. 2 in the world status. Congratulations to North Carolina State on making a wonderful selection for their volleyball program's head coaching position. I am sure that the student-athletes and staff will thrive under Luka's leadership."
- Jamie Davis, CEO of USA Volleyball
"North Carolina State made a great hire in Luka Slabe. Luka will get the right things in place and the program will develop rapidly. He understands teaching at the highest level and teaching is about the way you practice. Luka will find ways to practice the things he will want his players to do and they will become efficient and proficient at repeating these things. And, at the same time, his players will learn how to work harder, focus better and longer, and become more aware. He works extremely hard and will communicate well with his players, always giving them sound, meaningful feedback, and his content is supported by sound statistics and facts. Luka is all about his players and helping them become the players and people that they want to become. I paid close attention to the Slovenia Men's national team when Luka was their head coach and I was impressed with the improvement the team made over a three-year period. As he got things in place, his team became more competitive beating the top teams in the European League. He is very honest and direct with his players and is demanding in a very good way. He teaches his players to move well both efficiently and with power when needed. And they are taught to respond to the situations that occur most often as his players see the game very well. I am excited for NC State Volleyball as they have hired one of the very best in our country."
- Jim McLaughlin, former head coach for the University of Washington
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