Mario Meza was hired as Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach at Pacific in March 2026.
Meza followed his Head Coach, Jeff Hendershot, at La Verne to Pacific, where he had served as an Assistant Coach for the 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.
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.
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