SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Mount Holyoke College Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks has announced the hiring of Iris Carpio as the new head volleyball coach and lecturer in the Department of Physical Education. A former standout at Florida International University and assistant coach at Santa Fe College, she will begin her new role at MHC on July 5.
"Iris brings great experience as a competitor, coach and educator to our volleyball program," stated Hendricks. "I am very excited for her connections to the club volleyball community and to see the pipelines she can build to bring athletic and academic talent to Mount Holyoke College."
"I am extremely excited to join the Mount Holyoke family and for the opportunity to lead the volleyball program," said Carpio. "I am grateful to the hiring committee for the time they put into making me feel welcome. I would like to thank the current players for trusting the process and lastly, I'd like to thank Lori Hendricks for entrusting me with the volleyball program."
Carpio comes to Mount Holyoke College following a two-year stint as the assistant volleyball coach at Santa Fe College. During her time with the Saints, she helped the program to a 40-21 record, capping the 2016 season with an NJCAA National Final Four finish. She also served as head coach for a number of club teams for the Vision Volleyball Club in Gainesville, including coaching a previously unknown 18U college prep club team to a USAV National qualification.
From 2013-15, Carpio was the head coach for several club teams at Voleimiami Volleyball Club. During her tenure, she coached the 18U, 17U and 14U teams, while also taking on the role of Developmental Skills Coach for the 14U and 16U squads.
Carpio spent 13 years (2003-15) as the physical education teacher at Southwest Miami Senior High School, including seven years as the head volleyball coach. With the volleyball team, she guided the squad to a 126-48 record, including four regional semifinal appearances. Highlighting the players during her tenure was an FACA All-Star, a Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, five Class 8A All-County First Team selections and eight collegiate volleyball scholarship recipients. She also guided the boys' junior varsity team to a 16-0 record as the head coach in 2014.
Carpio was a standout volleyball player at Division I Florida International University. As a member of the Panthers, she served as a defensive specialist, and was a two-time captain. Carpio helped lead her squad to the Sunbelt Conference title and an appearance in the NCAA Division I Regional Second Round. A Sunbelt Conference Academic Honor Roll selection three times, she was also a three-time Dean's List selection, as well as the Judith A. Blucker Athletics Leadership Award recipient for FIU.
A volunteer for a number of organizations, including the Food4Kidz Backpack Program of Northern Florida and the Miami Rescue Mission, Carpio was named the Southwest Miami Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2003 and was nominated for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year. She also volunteered with CERV– Philippines in association with the Global Volunteer Network.
Carpio graduated Cum Laude from Florida International University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology-Human Performance from the University of Florida.
