Claire Smalzer began in July 2011 as a Graduate Assistant for Athletic-Academic Services and started her duties as a Volunteer Assistant under April Hall in March 2012. 

Smalzer graduated from Duke University in May 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy. She was a four-time letterwinner on the Duke volleyball team.

Smalzer finished her four-year career ranked third all-time at Duke with 1,637 digs. She was apart of a senior class that finished with a 104-29 (.782) record, two ACC Championships and four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. They are only the second class in school history to post 25 wins every year and only the fourth to move on to the NCAA Postseason every year.

Smalzer was named to four All-ACC Academic Volleyball teams and wrapped up her career as a four-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll. A Palos Heights, Ill. native, Smalzer is currently pursuing a master's degree in Sport Management. Her brother, Joseph, plays volleyball for Loyola (Chicago).