July 1, 2010

For as long as she can remember, Desiree Arredondo knew that she wanted to pursue a career as a volleyball coach. The former Texas A&M International University standout has turned that dream into reality. The upcoming academic year will be her third season as head volleyball coach and assistant softball coach at Floresville High School.

Arredondo achieved a stellar playing career for TAMIU from 2003-06. She is the TAMIU career leader in assists (3,674) and service aces (201) while ranking second in sets played (408) and digs (963). She earned all-conference honors all four seasons and was a first-team All-Red River Athletic Conference pick as a junior and a second-team All-Heartland Conference selectee as a senior.

After concluding her record-setting career, Arredondo served as an assistant coach at TAMIU under Wendy McManus during the 2007 season. She later accepted the opportunity to coach at Floresville High School, a move she says she has found quite satisfying.

A recent interview reveals that Arredondo loves what she does for a living and she has some great memories from her collegiate playing career.

1. What has been your career path since leaving TAMIU?

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a head volleyball coach. Now I am going on my third year at Floresville High School (4 A) as a head volleyball coach, assistant softball coach, and influencing the lives of adolescents in a leadership class. I love my job!

2. Do you see yourself coaching for a long time or do you have other career aspirations?

As a coach, we put in many extra hours into making a difference. I still want to make a difference in people’s lives but I would also want to have a family of my own someday. I plan on teaching special education and coaching club volleyball. Then pursue my education in administration.

3. What is the most memorable aspect of your TAMIU volleyball career?

If you ask any of my teammates it would have to be defeating Houston Baptist. It was definitely worth running all those suicides for missed curfew. Also the friendship that was built within our team, it was like no other. We could always depend on each other to pick us up. It was a beautiful thing.

4. Outside if volleyball, what did you like best about TAMIU?

Moving away from home taught me to be independent. I learned life lessons and grew as an individual. Another thing would be all my friends. I was blessed to be surrounded by such positive influences — good times.

5. When and why was the photo you provided for this story taken?

I sent the photo because we finished in second place at our Jaguar Classic last season. The photo symbolizes the hard work and effort we as a team put into the program. Last year was a stepping stone which sets up more goals to accomplish. It was a good moment. The older lady in the picture is Mrs. Harvey. She comes to every single game that the school holds and she has been doing it for years so it was a good thing that we finished in second. This year we’re shooting for a first place finish.

Desiree Arredondo Facts

First volleyball team: Played for Little Darlings at age six under the direction of her father and coach, Roger Arredondo.

High School: Attended Highlands High School in San Antonio for three years before graduating from East Central High School (2003).

Bachelor’s Degree: B.S. in Fitness and Sports with a minor in English (2007).

Parents: Roger Arredondo and Letty Tobias.

In the books: In addition to ranking first or second on four career lists, Arredondo holds the school record for assists in a match. She notched 70 assists in a five-set win over UT-Permian Basin on Oct. 20, 2006.