From Player to Assistant Coach 

EDINBURG – UTRGV Assistant Coach Mayda Garcia comes as a decorated player being named the 2014 and 2016 All-Valley Volleyball Player of the Year, the 2016 All-Valley 6A Female Athlete of the Year, and two-time Academic All-State Honoree during her high school career.  

“I’m super excited, especially just to come back home but I know while I’ve been away, I was keeping up with the program, so I’m super excited just to contribute in any way that I can,” said Garcia.  

Garcia started her collegiate career at Fairfield University where she took on the roles of middle blocker, defense specialist, right-side player, and playing outside hitter. Garcia totaled 801 kills, 623 digs, 106 blocks, and 32 service aces throughout her collegiate career.

Garcia adds that even though she graduated, she still feels like a player and hopes to bring those skills to her new position. 

“I hope to bring that same energy to the girls and like, ‘Hey, I was you two years ago, so I know what you’re going through.’ Asking where I can help you out and stuff like that.  I am hoping to help them in any way I can,” said Garcia. 

Garcia started her coaching career at McDaniel College for a year, where she learned about recruiting student-athletes as people not just for skills.  

She and Head Volleyball Coach, Todd Lowery, go as far back as her high school days with RGV Venom.  

“The thing that stood out to me throughout her high school career and then watching her college career development is just her work ethic,” said Lowery, “And now the opportunity for her to come back home to contribute to our program I think it’s going to be great for us.” 

For now, Garcia is working on completing her Master’s in Kinesiology from McDaniel College.