Siqueira comes to CF after three seasons at Northwest College, a National Junior College Athletic Association member school in Powell, Wyo. She holds a master’s degree in college teaching and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to coach at College of Central Florida. The challenge of starting a new program from the ground up is amazing,” Siqueira said. “I guarantee that my student-athletes and I will give our best to this great institution.”
A native of Brazil, Siqueira signed in 2000 with Western Nebraska Community College, leading the team to consecutive top-four national finishes and earning All-Region and Academic All-American honors. She then transferred to the University of Mary, where she earned All-American honors and led the program to the first national top-10 ranking in its history.
Siqueira began her coaching career at the College of the Southwest in Hobbs, N.M., before taking the position at Northwest College. She led the Trappers to a 90-38 record in her tenure with the program, including a regional championship and an NJCAA national tournament berth in the fall of 2009. The same year, Siqueira earned a Thirty Under 30 Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, one of two coaches from two-year programs to earn the distinction.
“Flavia’s mix of experience and enthusiasm is exactly what’s needed to get our program off to a great start,” said CF Director of Athletics Bob Zelinski. “With an outstanding coach and a wealth of local talent to recruit, Patriot volleyball is poised for an exciting and successful inaugural season.”
CF added women's volleyball to its intercollegiate athletic offerings in June after approval by the CF District Board of Trustees, becoming the 17th member of the Florida College System to field a women’s volleyball team sanctioned by the Florida Community College Activities Association and the NJCAA.
“The college is committed to responding to the community, and this is one more way to broaden our reach,” said Dr. Charles Dassance, CF president. “We look forward to having Flavia Siqueira lead us in this venture.”
Siqueira will officially start as head coach on Jan. 3. The Patriots will conduct spring practices and scrimmages beginning the following month, start fall practice in August and open their inaugural season as early as Aug. 28, 2011. The NJCAA volleyball season is played entirely in the fall semester, concluding with the NJCAA Tournament in November.
