Kelly (Kirby) Picardi is in her sixth season as an assistant coach with the Furman volleyball program. Picardi works with all aspects of the program including player training and development, program development, operations, and alumni relations.
A native of Greenville, Picardi was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Paladins from 2008-11. As a setter and right side/outside hitter, Picardi was part of the 2008 team that won the SoCon Tournament championship and made the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She also played on the 2009 squad that went 16-0 in league play and captured the SoCon South Division Championship.
Picardi appeared in 116 matches throughout her career and was a first team All-SoCon selection in 2010 and 2011, and second team in 2009. She finished with 1,364 assists, 973 digs, 971 kills and 206 total blocks. Picardi was named SoCon Player of the Week three times and earned SoCon Player of the Month honors in October of 2009, and was awarded the C. Dan Joyner Award for leadership.
Following her graduation from Furman, Picardi worked in the Furman athletic department on the game operations staff. She also worked as a color commentator for the SoCon Digital Network and at the SoCon Volleyball Championship. She coached three seasons at The Madeira School in McLean, Va., while serving as assistant athletic director, and led the program to the Independent School League Championship. In 2019, she coached at South Lakes High School and guided the team to its highest finish in the state tournament in school history. Picardi coached the Virginia Elite Volleyball Club for three seasons.
Picardi graduated from Hillcrest High School where she is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame and has her jersey retired. A three-time all-state selection, she helped lead Hillcrest to its first and second state championships.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences from Furman in 2012.
Picardi and her husband Rob, a 2013 graduate of Furman, have two daughters, Ada and Willow, and one son, Asher.
