NMJC Assistant Desiree Marmolejo Named Clarendon Volleyball Head Coach

New Mexico Junior College volleyball assistant coach Desiree Marmolejo has accepted the head coaching position at Clarendon College.

Coach Marmolejo joined NMJC in July of 2022 after graduating from Cameron University in May of 2022. The T-Birds had a historic season in her short tenure with the program. NMJC won their first-ever WJCAC title, set a school record in wins (25), conference wins (12), consecutive wins (12), home wins/record (10-1), and winning percentage (.781).

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Coach Reyna and NMJC gave me," Marmolejo said. "I was blessed to have these girls as my first group because they are just such hard workers and had high expectations for the season and would work hard every day to get better without questions. This group of girls will forever have a place in my heart, and I hope they know that no matter where they go, they will be successful and I will always be a phone call away."

Marmolejo was instrumental in the continued development of sophomore WJCAC All-Conference setter Lacie Schooley. Schooley finished the regular season ranked No. 12 in the NJCAA with 1056 assists and No. 10 in the NJCAA with 9.60 assists per set.

Dezi began her junior college career at Midland College as the setter for the Chaps from 2017-19. NMJC volleyball head coach Holli Reyna was an assistant at Midland during her playing career and helped mentor Marmolejo. When Reyna was elevated to head coach in the spring of 2022, the opportunity for Marmolejo to work under her former coach was too good to pass up.

"Being mentored by Coach Reyna was such a blessing. When I played for her at Midland, I always looked up to her and Coach Jimenez. They were the example of what made me want to become a coach," Marmolejo said. "Holli took care of me and showed me what it takes to become a coach. She has pushed me every day to become better and step out of my shell and without her I wouldn't have taken the opportunity to pursue my next journey in my life."

Coach Marmolejo is eager to put her footprint on a Bulldog program that is trying to turn over a new leaf after its past struggles.

"I am extremely excited to join the Bulldog family. My goal going into this opportunity is to create change and turn our program around," Marmolejo said. "It won't happen overnight but seeing the little culture changes and creating a solid team dynamic is my first goal. I want these girls to compete and have fun and everything else will fall into place."

Reyna is excited for Marmolejo to get her first head coaching experience at the NJCAA level and said she looks forward to their matchup in the WJCAC come fall.

"When an opportunity presents itself, you take it. This is a great opportunity for Desiree to learn and grow as a young head coach," Reyna said. "In our profession, developing a program and seeing success in our athletes is the best feeling in the world, and now she will have her own opportunity to do that. She is familiar with the conference as both a player and a coach and I look forward to watching her success."