The University of Evansville volleyball team will welcome Tom Mendoza as the new assistant coach for the 2009-10 season. Mendoza will work with the setters and outsides along with primary passers.

“We are happy to welcome Tom,” said head coach Mike Swan. “He was exactly what we were looking for. He brings energy, a good setting background and a great work ethic.”

Mendoza, a native of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, comes to UE after spending the last two seasons as the volunteer assistant at Michigan State. While at Michigan State, Mendoza and the Spartans appeared in the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007. He also served on the Michigan State volleyball summer camp staff in 2007 and 2008 and was the director of Spartan Session volleyball camps and clinics.

 “I am excited to join the University of Evansville athletics,” said Mendoza. “I look forward to working with Coach Swan. From talking with the team, I think we are poised to do great things, and I can’t wait to get to work.”

A three-year letterwinner in volleyball at Newman University and a one-year letterwinner at Lewis University, Mendoza had an outstanding playing career. He was a 10 time Mid-America Men’s Volleyball Intercollegiate Conference Setter of the Week and was a three-time all-conference selection. During his playing career, he was also named a NAIA All-American.

Most recently, Mendoza was the head coach of the Spartan Junior 16 Girls club team that finished first in the Michigan Power League. He also served as the head coach for the Juggernaut Volleyball Club in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and the Sports Performance 15 Elite Boys that earned fifth place at the Junior Olympic Nationals. 

Mendoza received his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.