Bio

Melanie Hughes enters her third season with the Athenas in 2022 as the first assistant coach and technical coordinator. Hughes specializes in coordinating the team’s defense and oversees all technical responsibilities of the team.

In two seasons at CMS, Hughes has helped the Athenas compile a stellar 61-3 combined record, including 32-0 in SCIAC. In her first season at CMS, Hughes helped the Athenas reach the 2021 NCAA Division III Final Four after the team completed a perfect 16-0 conference run. The Athenas’ defense excelled in matches of high importance, including wins over #1 Trinity (24 total blocks and 63 total digs), #4 Hope (26 total blocks and 69 total digs), and #4 Wartburg (146 total digs). 

In her second season, Hughes helped CMS to a 30-1 record and 10 straight weeks as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation. The CMS volleyball staff was named the 2022 SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year and due to her efforts, Hughes was awarded AVCA Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year. Her coaching also helped libero Dede Carranza earn the SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The Riverside, Calif. native came to the Athenas after three seasons of coaching at Forza 1 North Volleyball Club in Ontario, California. In her time at Forza 1 North, Hughes assisted in multiple GJN Qualifier titles, including a 14U third place finish at the Red Rock Rave JNQ in 2021, a 16U third place finish at the SCVA Regional JNQ in 2021, and an 18U first place finish at the SCVA Regional JNQ in the spring of 2022. Hughes continues her stint at Forza 1 North and will resume duties in the spring. 

Hughes attended Western New Mexico University and has her bachelor’s degree in Communications.