University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Mourns the Passing of Hall of Famer April Chapple
August 04, 2026 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Tennessee volleyball standout and Tennessee Athletics Hall of Famer April Chapple has passed away at the age of 62.
Chapple was a standout for the Lady Vols, starring on the court from 1981-84. The Inglewood, California native, helped Tennessee capture three SEC regular-season championships and three SEC Tournament titles. The Lady Vols also achieved success on the national stage, reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of Chapple's four seasons. During the 1982 campaign, Tennessee earned its first NCAA Tournament victory, defeating Northwestern in five sets. Across her four seasons in Orange & White, Chapple helped lead the Lady Vols to a 121-50 record.
In 1984, Chapple became Tennessee's second All-American, earning honors from the USVBA and AVCA. She remains among the program's all-time leaders, ranking second in career aces (244) and third in career kills (1,650). Her best attacking season came in 1984 when she tallied 483 kills, a total that ranks ninth in program history during the non-rally scoring era. Chapple's best season for aces came in 1983 when she recorded 95, which ranks second during the same era.
Following her collegiate career, Chapple played professionally in both indoor and beach volleyball. She began her professional career overseas in Italy, helping lead Reggio Emilia to the Division I Italian League finals. She also helped the club make finals appearances in the Italian Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup (Coppa delle Coppe). Chapple also found success in professional beach volleyball, winning the Italian 3x3 Beach Championship. After her career overseas, she was selected in the first round of Major League Volleyball, the first professional volleyball league in the United States. While playing for the New York Liberties, Chapple earned First Team All-Pro honors.
Following her professional career, Chapple transitioned into coaching, spending several years in club volleyball. In 2003, she was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame.
Chapple was a standout for the Lady Vols, starring on the court from 1981-84. The Inglewood, California native, helped Tennessee capture three SEC regular-season championships and three SEC Tournament titles. The Lady Vols also achieved success on the national stage, reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of Chapple's four seasons. During the 1982 campaign, Tennessee earned its first NCAA Tournament victory, defeating Northwestern in five sets. Across her four seasons in Orange & White, Chapple helped lead the Lady Vols to a 121-50 record.
In 1984, Chapple became Tennessee's second All-American, earning honors from the USVBA and AVCA. She remains among the program's all-time leaders, ranking second in career aces (244) and third in career kills (1,650). Her best attacking season came in 1984 when she tallied 483 kills, a total that ranks ninth in program history during the non-rally scoring era. Chapple's best season for aces came in 1983 when she recorded 95, which ranks second during the same era.
Following her collegiate career, Chapple played professionally in both indoor and beach volleyball. She began her professional career overseas in Italy, helping lead Reggio Emilia to the Division I Italian League finals. She also helped the club make finals appearances in the Italian Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup (Coppa delle Coppe). Chapple also found success in professional beach volleyball, winning the Italian 3x3 Beach Championship. After her career overseas, she was selected in the first round of Major League Volleyball, the first professional volleyball league in the United States. While playing for the New York Liberties, Chapple earned First Team All-Pro honors.
Following her professional career, Chapple transitioned into coaching, spending several years in club volleyball. In 2003, she was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame.
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