Third-year libero Dakota Henry has become a standout for the University of Rhode Island women’s volleyball team, but her journey to success goes beyond her production on the hardwood.
Growing up in Loveland, Ohio, adjusting to life on the East Coast, and ending up at URI encompasses more than the mechanical engineering program for Henry.
“Immediately, it was just the culture of the team that I really loved,” Henry said. “The expectations that the team had set before I even got here were something that really fit my style of play and my work ethic.”
Henry’s style of play has undoubtedly been the right fit for the team so far this season, averaging over 4.4 digs per set and collecting 222 total digs through her 12 games played, placing her in the top 15 nationally in the category.
“We absolutely expected it,” Rhode Island head coach Ryan Sullivan said. “We expect a really high level of play with her every single day, whether it’s practice or game. She’s not a captain, but she leads in her own way, and she truly is the heart and soul of the team.”
Although Henry wasn’t named captain for the 2026 season, she remains as vocal as she can be on defense.
“She knows her teammates on a personal level,” Sullivan said. “If somebody’s in the wrong position, she’s not afraid to get in their face about it, and that’s one of the cool parts about her. She can relate to her teammates, and because of that, they really thrive and listen to her.”
Sullivan and the rest of the coaching staff have been key factors in Henry’s development as a libero.
“They’ve given me so many tools and lessons of finding who I am as a player,” Henry said. “Coming in as a freshman, it was very intimidating, but they are constantly doing such a good job of being in my corner and giving me the keys to their program to gain the confidence in the backcourt.”
That confidence goes back further than just Sullivan and his staff, but rather some coaches a bit closer to home.
“My parents have instilled it in me from when I started playing volleyball,” Henry said. “They always said if you’re going to be doing this, you might as well go 100% at it, and that’s something that my entire family carries. It’s something that I expect for myself; even if it’s not my best day, I’m going to give everything I got.”
Following a 3-0 start to the season, the Rams have lost seven of their last nine games, with the team currently at 5-7. This time last year, Rhody was 3-9.
After being a main contributor to Rhody’s improvement since last season, Henry received Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 31 for the second time in her career.
She was also named to Central Connecticut State University’s All-Tournament Team, recording 27 digs against the College of the Holy Cross on Aug. 29, the fifth-highest single-match total in program history since 2001.
Aside from all the personal success, Henry still carries a team-first mentality.
“The goal is the A10 Tournament,” Henry said. “We feel like there are so many positive things we’ve taken, and there’s so much good to come out of the past month to take into conference play. At the end of the day, I want to leave this program better than I came into it my freshman year.”
The URI women’s volleyball team will start conference play and try to get back in the win column in a series against George Mason University on Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at noon, with both streaming on ESPN+.
