Ariel Sanchez Named Director of Volleyball Operations
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico head volleyball coach Jon Newman-Gonchar has completed his staff with the addition of Ariel Sanchez as director of volleyball operations.
Sanchez joins the Lobos from Idaho State, where she served in the same role for the last two seasons. Sanchez is the sister of UNM assistant coach April Sanchez, who was hired in late May.
“The UNM volleyball program strikes gold again with another great person, who is proud to be a Lobo and is eager to get to work to help our program be the best it can be,” Newman-Gonchar said.
The newest member of the volleyball staff started as a manager for the Bengals in 2015, which she served for two seasons, before moving to the director of operations role in 2017. During her time in Pocatello, Sanchez assisted as a technical manager where she utilized Data Volley to provide the coaching staff real time statistical information during matches and practices as well as scouting reports and post-match analysis reports. In addition, she assisted in the creation and sharing of player video for scouting and game preparation, tasks that Sanchez will continue with the Lobos.
During the season, her day-to-day duties will include logistical and organizational components such as travel and home match operations, as well as the video and statistical coordinator duties. In the offseason, Sanchez will assist with camp organization as a camp co-coordinator/ director.
As a result of her skills pertaining to Data Volley, Sanchez served as a technical coordinator for the USA Volleyball U.S. Collegiate National Team- Detroit delegation in 2018, live-coding segments of practice such as serve and pass coding. Additionally, Sanchez facilitated on-court scoring for practice drills.
Prior to her time at Idaho State, Sanchez was an assistant coach for April at Colorado Northwestern Community College. During her time at CNCC, Sanchez assisted in planning and implementing the daily practice schedule and delegated daily responsibilities to team managers and captains.
Sanchez obtained her associate’s degree from Colorado Northwestern Community College, her bachelor’s degree in physical education and sport management from Idaho State in 2017 and most recently earned her master’s degree in physical education, athletic administration from Idaho State in May of 2019.