Tiger Volleyball will have a new head coach for the 2024 season.
Coach Mariah Roby-Stewart has decided to move on to pursue another opportunity. She stated, "This program will always have a piece of my heart and I feel blessed to have had my time coaching here in the program where I played. I look forward to hearing of what is to come under the leadership of the new coach. I wish the student-athletes all the very best and thank them for all of their hard work". Director of Athletics, David Santesteban stated, "I want to thank Mariah for all she's done for our volleyball program. It was no easy task to maintain continuity during covid-19. She is a great young coach and we know that she will be a success wherever she goes". Under her leadership, Mariah coached 3 All-CVC 2nd Team award winners and 5 All-CVC Honorable Mention recipients. Her dedication and hard work is greatly appreciated..... "Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger"!
Coach Roby-Stewart, an alumnus of the RC Volleyball program under coach Shannon Jeffries, is passing the torch to another former Tiger in Jennifer Uresti (nee Craw)--an All-American under Tiger Hall of Fame Coach Shirley Gustafson. Coach Craw-Uresti is also a member of the RC Tiger Hall of Fame class of 2009 for volleyball.
Her college career began as a Tiger here at Reedley College (KRCC) for the 1990 & 1991 seasons, where she earned the honor of becoming the first Tiger volleyball player to be named a First Team AVCA All-American. She states that, "It's such an honor to be back in the Reedley College Gym and have the opportunity to lead the team that made such a positive impact on my life".... "we'll be working hard to return the volleyball program back to the prominence it once had under coach Gustafson".
She went on to play for the Fresno State Bulldogs during 1992 & 1993 seasons under coach Lindy Vivas. As part of the 17th ranked Bulldog squad, she earned All-WAC 2nd team honors her senior year and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.
Jennifer Craw-Uresti is returning to her roots after being a Bay Area resident for 25 years. A valley native, Jennifer's volleyball success started early. As a graduate of Sierra High School, she was a CIF Div. III State Champion.
Jennifer has coached all levels of high school and club volleyball for the better part of 30 years. Currently, she is a club coach with Valley Volleyball Academy in Fresno. While in the Bay Area, Jennifer coached at local clubs and at Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek. While at Berean Christian, she was fortunate to be part of the coaching staff for the 2022 Girls CIF State Championship team and the Boys 2023 Nor-Cal State Regional Runner-up team.
Jennifer and her husband, Xavier, have two children, both of whom she has had the pleasure of coaching and seen moving on to play at the collegiate level. When she is not in the gym, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking her dogs, and time at Bass Lake.
Jennifer is excited to share her love of the game and is passionate about teaching players that solid fundamentals and a good work ethic can carry them through their years of playing and beyond.