Trinidad State College Athletic Director Mike Salbato announced that Karli Salazar has been named as the new head volleyball coach at Trinidad State.

Salazar comes to Trinidad State after serving four years at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She spent three years as assistant volleyball coach, and one year as the interim head coach for the Cowgirls, helping the volleyball program to their best season in a dozen years in 2017 as they went 10-13, including 7-11 in RMAC.

Prior to joining the New Mexico Highlands staff Salazar served one year as the head volleyball coach for the West Las Vegas High School Lady Dons. In her first year as head coach she led the Lady Dons to their first District 2-AAA championship in over a decade. The team made it to the New Mexico class 3A quarter-finals. Salazar received Coach of the Year honors in District 2AAA.

Prior to being the head coach for the Lady Dons, she served as an assistant for three years on the Lady Don staff. Salazar’s coaching experience also includes over a decade coaching in the Arriba Volleyball Club of Northern New Mexico.

Her education background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from New Mexico Highlands University. “I am excited for the future of our volleyball program,” said Salbato. “Coach Salazar brings a great knowledge of the game and tremendous work ethic. She comes from a family that has a great volleyball history and she is going to bring great passion for the sport to TSJC. Her past shows she is a strong recruiter and has great connections in the area. In the past few weeks we have already observed her strong work ethic and attention to detail which will serve her well as she makes the transition to be a head coach in the NJCAA and Region IX.”

Salazar has hit the ground running as she is rounding out the Trojan roster for the 2020 season and meeting with her returning players online. Salazar would like to thank the entire athletic staff at Trinidad State for this exciting opportunity. She looks forward to beginning her time with the Trojans.