Tag Archives: Holly Watts

UTEP Volleyball’s head coach Holly Watts announced the addition of Abby Adams for the 2017-18 campaign on Tuesday.

“I chose UTEP because of the competitive Biology academic program, and the Pre-Dentistry curriculum,” Adams said. “I am excited about all the courses they have to offer. UTEP is a beautiful campus, and a university full of tradition. I am looking forward to being a part of the University of Texas at El Paso and the volleyball program.”

Adams is 5’8 from Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., where she played at the defensive specialist position for three years.  During her time with the Eagles, Adams took the court in 157 sets as the starting libero while tallying 440 digs at 2.8 digs per set, 56 assists, 19 service aces and 14 kills.

The Valor Christian squad wrapped up the 2016 season by finishing in the Final Four of the 4A State Volleyball Tournament for the second time in school history. Adams finished her senior campaign earning accolades for her work in the classroom and on the court.

Her awards included being named to the 2016 CHSAA 4A First-Team All-League, CHSAA All-State First-Team All-Academic, CHSAA All-State Honorable Mention and 4A Honorable Mention All-Academic.

“We are excited to add Abby to our roster for the 2017 season,” Watts said. “Abby comes in with her experience as a defensive player and specifically libero, she will bring additional ball control and experience at a high level to our gym.

“We are thrilled she has decided to come to UTEP and bring her back-row prowess with her. She is playing again this club season with a quality club and great coaches and she will continue to gain experience even before her arrival.”

Aside from high school volleyball, Adams played club volleyball since the age of nine. She plays for Colorado Juniors 18 Jess, who will play in the 18 Patriot Division of the 2017 Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC) in Minneapolis this summer.

UTEP head coach Holly Watts announced the addition of Patricia Lira Figueiredo as an assistant coach to the Miners’ volleyball program on Friday.

Figuereido will be working with the setters, offense as well as team travel.

“I’m so pleased to have added Patricia to complete our coaching staff for the 2016 season, said head coach Holly Watts. “Her high level playing experience will aid in her ability to communicate with the players we train on a daily basis. Her contacts in South America and in Europe will be beneficial in recruiting great talent, no matter the nationality. Paty will make an immediate impact with our setters and middle attackers. Her playing at Florida State University during part of my stint there allows me to know her loyalty, demeanor and knowledge of the game.”

The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil native joins the UTEP volleyball staff after serving as a volunteer assistant coach for Sunnjford Folkehogskule in 2016 in Forde, Norway, where she was responsible for organizing and running the beach volleyball practices for both boys and girls up to the age of 20.

Figueiredo also assisted the women’s indoor volleyball team during practices with an emphasis on setter technique and proper volleyball skills.

Prior to her time in Norway, she was an assistant coach for Rio Sports and Tour in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

She coached all basic and advanced beach volleyball skills to groups of boys and girls up to 20 years old, as well as organized scrimmage games with local teams and provided support during tourism activities.

Before Rio Sports and Tour, Figueiredo spent a year (2011-2012) as the volunteer head coach for the Tallahassee Juniors Volleyball Club in Tallahassee, Fla.

She taught basic and advanced skills to the 14’s and 15’s youth club team and also organized youth campers in training drills while providing technical feedback.

Figueiredo received her bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in business from Florida State University in 2012, where she played her junior year in 2010. She missed her senior season (2011) due to a back injury that limited her in the preseason.

Before Florida State, she spent two years playing for Missouri State University-West Plains.

In her time with the Grizzlies, she was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Women’s All-American team, as well as American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) Two-Year College All-American team.