STOCKTON, Calif. – On Wednesday afternoon, Pacific Volleyball Head Coach Jeff Hendershot announced Austin Meador and Mario Meza as assistant coaches, rounding out the coaching staff for the 2026 season.

Austin Meador
Meador comes to Stockton after a stint at the University of North Dakota where he served as Director of Operations. In this position, he oversaw operational functions that support team performance, logistics, video analytics, scouting coordination, and day-to-day program execution. 

"Adding Austin to our staff is a tremendous win for our program. His experience at North Dakota and his technical expertise from his time at Stanford University make him an immediate impact hire.  Austin has a rare blend of analytical skill, teaching ability, and competitive edge, and I'm confident he will elevate our training environment from day one," Hendershot said.

Meador also served at Stanford as the technical director for the Cardinal women's volleyball program (2021-2022), managing advanced video operations, opponent scouting, and player development reports that contributed to a Pac-12 championship and an NCAA Elite Eight run. Earlier, he was a graduate assistant coach at Concordia Irvine, where he led implementation of blocking systems and helped the Golden Eagles rank near the top of the PacWest in team blocks per set. His collegiate coaching journey began with a volunteer assistant and technical director role at Pasadena City College in 2017. 

Outside of the collegiate game, Meador spent ten years at Forza1 North Volleyball Club in Ontario, California, serving in a succession of key roles including club co-director, technical director, recruiting director, and both assistant and head coach. Under his leadership, the club captured multiple age-group medals — including four golds and significant national finishes — and from 2019 to 2024 saw more than 80 players commit to NCAA programs across Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and junior colleges. 

He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of La Verne and earned a Master's in Coaching and Exercise Sport Science from Concordia-Irvine. 

Mario Meza
Meza followed his Head Coach at La Verne to Pacific, where he had served as an Assistant Coach for the University of La Verne women's volleyball program during one of the most successful stretches in team history.

During his tenure, Meza helped guide the Leopards to multiple championship-level achievements, including SCIAC Tournament Champions (2024), SCIAC Regular Season Champions (2025), NCAA Regional Champions (2024, 2025), and a runner-up finish at the 2025 NCAA Division III National Championship. The program also reached the NCAA Regional Finals in 2023 (Sweet 16) and the Elite Eight in 2024. In recognition of the program's success, the La Verne coaching staff was named SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2016, 2023, and 2025. In his role, Meza contributed to recruiting, scouting, skill development, opponent analysis, and match preparation while helping cultivate a culture centered on accountability, discipline, and competitive excellence.

"Mario brings character, work ethic, and a genuine commitment to developing student-athletes. I'm thrilled to welcome him to our staff at Pacific. He elevates our gym the moment he walks in, and I'm excited for the impact he'll have on our program," Hendershot said.

In addition to his collegiate work, Meza has established himself as a respected leader in Southern California high school volleyball. As Head Varsity Coach at Diamond Ranch High School in Pomona, he has led the boy's program to sustained success, including a CIF Division V Championship in 2018 and four consecutive Valle Vista/Mt. Baldy League Championships from 2022–2025. His leadership helped elevate the program's competitive profile while developing student-athletes both academically and athletically. Earlier in his tenure, he also served as the Girls Varsity Head Coach (2019–2022).

Meza's coaching experience also extends into the club volleyball scene. He has coached with programs such as Pacific Juniors VBC, IMUA Volleyball Club, and T-Street Inland Empire, helping guide teams to major competitive milestones. Notably, he helped lead IMUA's 18U Boys team to a 2nd place finish at the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championship in 2024 in Dallas, Texas. With T-Street Inland Empire, his team captured 1st place at the SCVA Bid Event (14U) in 2025 and earned a Top-100 national finish at the USA Volleyball National Championships.

Before transitioning fully into coaching, Meza competed professionally in the National Volleyball Association (NVA) as a libero for the Ontario Matadors (2021–2022) and the Texas Tyrants (2023), where the team finished 3rd in the league finals. His playing experience continues to influence his defensive systems, training philosophy, and mentorship of athletes at all levels.

Hendershot, Meador, and Meza will all take the court together in August when the team kicks off the 2026 campaign.

Tigers Tickets
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through the PacificTigers.com tickets tab, or by calling the Box Office at 209-946-2474.  Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a group discount and exclusive fan experiences.
 
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific Volleyball, be sure to follow the team on X (@PacificVball), Instagram (@pacificvolleyball) and Facebook page (Pacific Volleyball).

#PacificProud