ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University director of athletics Josh Looney announced the hiring of Olaya Garrido-Rivas as head women's tennis coach.
 
Garrido-Rivas comes to Missouri Western after two seasons as an assistant women's tennis coach at NCAA Division I member Middle Tennessee State. The native of Gijon, Asturias, Spain was a second team All-Big 12 selection as a women's tennis student-athlete at Texas Christian University in 2017 and was named the Big 12 Women's Tennis Newcomer of the Year in 2016 after transferring to TCU from the University of South Florida.
 
"Olaya is going to infuse our women's tennis program with energy, enthusiasm and competitiveness," Looney said. "She was a high-level collegiate player and has been influenced by impressive mentors that will benefit her, as well as current and future women's tennis student-athletes at Missouri Western. We are fired up for Olaya to take the reins of Griffon Tennis and join our family of coaches."
 
At Middle Tennessee, Garrido-Rivas helped the team jump 121 spots in the ITA rankings during her first season. Since graduating from Middle Tennessee with a master's in leisure and sport management, Garrido-Rivas had been working as an instructor with the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy.
 
"I am so grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank Josh Looney, Eric Kramer, Theresa Grosbach and Regan Dodd for their hospitality and help during the process, and to the rest of the athletic staff for their kindness these past days," Garrido-Rivas said. "Missouri Western is a great institution in a great city with an athletic department that is committed to help the tennis program succeed. I am so excited to start working with the girls and the community to accomplish great things. During my college tennis days I experienced some of the best moments in my life and grew a lot as a person and as a tennis player. I'm excited to help others to do the same."
 
Garrido-Rivas was named second team All-Big 12 doubles as a senior after posting a 17-9 overall record along with an 18-9 mark in singles play at TCU. She was also a second team Academic All-Big 12 selection that season. As a junior at TCU she was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, posting more than 20 wins across doubles and singles action. In two seasons at USF, Garrido-Rivas posted 36 wins across singles and doubles and was named to the American Athletic All-Conference team as a freshman.
 
She received her bachelor's in communications studies with a minor in general business from TCU in 2017.
 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OLAYA GARRIDO-RIVAS
"Olaya is a very committed individual in all aspects of her life. Whether it's in relationships, academics, work, fitness, or tennis, the standard is always high and her desired outcome of being the best is predetermined and maintained throughout. With Olaya's leadership, Missouri Western has no other option but to succeed at a high level. She will always be part of our Frog Family and my own personal family. I look forward to watching her grow and develop young people." – Lee Taylor Walker, TCU Head Women's Tennis Coach
 
"Olaya is a fierce competitor. She was that way as a player and will always have a passion for competing throughout her career no matter what she does. She will run a program with high standards and will make everyone around her better. Missouri western is getting a good one in Olaya that's for sure." – Charlie Ramsay, former Middle Tennessee Head Women's Tennis Coach
 
"Having the opportunity to work with coach Olaya Garrido-Rivas my last two years of college has pushed me to be a way more competitive player. When coaching, her drive and passion for this sport are strongly perceived by the players and that really motivates them to achieve the win." – former Middle Tennessee Tennis student-athlete Costanza Magazzini
 
"Olaya has a passion and competitive spirit that flows into every aspect of her life. She demands excellence from herself and those around her and spreads a positive attitude. I am confident Olaya will galvanize this Missouri Western tennis program with confidence. I'm deeply appreciative of my time working with Olaya and am surely a better coach for it." – Christopher Williams, TCU Assistant Women's Tennis Coach and former USTA professional tennis coach