June 17, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American women's volleyball program announced that former Prairie View A&M University standout Laura De La Fuente has been named as an assistant coach with the Lady Broncs.

"I'm really excited to be given this opportunity to work with the UTPA volleyball program," said De La Fuente. "I will be able to get the valley involved with our sports program here. UTPA is one of the pride and joys of the Valley so that's why I chose to come back here. I think Coach Hubbard is starting something great, she has a great group of girls and she is doing an excellent job here."

"We are very excited about the addition of Laura to our staff," said head volleyball coach Angela Hubbard. "She has such a passion for the Valley and is exactly what we need to complete our staff. We feel that she is such a great fit with what we are trying to accomplish. She is very knowledgeable of the game and is ready to help Bronc volleyball make an impact within the Valley as well as in the national scene. "

The newly-named UTPA assistant coach played her collegiate volleyball at Prairie View A&M where she led the Panthers to a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and a first round appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament against Big XII opponent-University of Texas.

Prior to joining the women's volleyball program at Prairie View A&M, the team captain was a member of the Panola Junior College program where she was a Region 14 All-Conference Honorable Mention recipient.

The former Prairie View A&M standout served as the assistant director for the Rio Grande Valley Junior Volleyball Club where she was responsible of organizing uniforms, equipment purchases, managing accounting information and assisting graduating senior's scholarships to universities.

Last summer, De La Fuente served as co-director of the Rio Grande Valley Juniors Hwy 83 Power League Volleyball Tournament where she organized and managed tournament teams, facilities and schedules.

De La Fuente graduated from Prairie View A&M in Dec. of 2007 with a major in English and minor in communications.

UTPA Sports Information