Horsmon Adds Valdivia as Volunteer Assistant
3/3/2010 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
March 3, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland volleyball head coach Tim Horsmon announced the addition of Krista Valdivia to the Terps' coaching staff as the volunteer assistant.
"We are extremely fortunate to have someone with so much ability join our staff," coach Horsmon said. "Krista brings a great deal of experience to her new position here and has a great understanding of the game and how to teach it. Krista will work with our setters primarily and also help with our middle blockers as well. I'm excited about the dynamics of this coaching staff and I think Krista brings a great deal to the table."
Valdivia, who was an All-American setter for Michigan Tech from 1993-96, has 12 years of coaching experience, 10 as a head coach at Michigan Tech. She led the team to two NCAA appearances and coached 20 All-conference players.
Under Valdivia's guidance, the Huskies competed in the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1997 after earning an at-large invitation to the Great Lakes Regional in Hillsdale, Mich. MTU lost a hard-fought match by a score of 3-2 to SIU-Edwardsville in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
The two seasons prior to being named head coach, she served as the program's first full-time assistant coach and helped guide the team to a 40-32 overall record, including an appearance in the NCAA II Championships in 1997.
Prior to beginning her coaching career, Valdivia was a four-year starter at setter for Michigan Tech. As a freshman, she helped the Huskies to a 26-7 record and the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. She earned All-GLIAC honors that year and also garnered the Terry Wilson Award, significant of the school's top freshman female student-athlete.
Valdivia played in four NCAA tournaments and was a three-time AVCA All-region team member. She was named First Team All-America after her sophomore campaign, in 1994. Valdivia set the Huskies to a school-record 30-3 mark, the GLIAC title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. She earned All-GLIAC and All-Great Lakes Region recognition that year as well.
As a junior, Valdivia gained All-GLIAC honors and helped the Huskies to a 20-12 mark overall and a second-place league finish.
She capped a spectacular career gaining All-GLIAC honors for the fourth straight year as the Huskies went 24-11 and made a fourth straight appearance in the NCAA II Championships. In addition, Valdivia earned the prestigious Raymond L. Smith Award as the school's top senior female student-athlete.
Valdivia is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
For more information on your Maryland women's volleyball team visit, www.umterps.com.
