2021-22 marks the third season as head coach for Olaya Garrido-Rivas. She has compiled an overall record of 19-11 in dual matches, and led Missouri Western to a first-round win in the MIAA Tournament over Northeastern State in 2021. The win marked the first in postseason play since 2012 and the first opening round win since 2011. Garrido-Rivas has sparked a turnaround in the Griffon tennis program that saw MWSU debut at no. 5 in the Oracle/ITA Central Regional Rankings in 2021. She also produced three second-team All-MIAA selections for Missouri Western in 2021 -
Karolina Ström (No. 2 Singles), Anya Chavez (No. 4 Singles), Ioanna Lathouri and
Anya Chavez (No. 1 Doubles) - as well as MWSU's first UTR/ITA National Player of the Week (
Ioanna Lathouri, March 17, 2021) and an MIAA Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week (Isabella MacGibbon, March 22, 2021).
Garrido-Rivas at Missouri Western (19-11 5-3 MIAA)
2021-22 - 1-0
2020-21 - 12-6 (5-3 MIAA)
(Fall portion of schedule was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
2019-20 - 6-5
(MIAA season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
She came to MWSU 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.
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.
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
