New Coaches
Meet the new fall sport coaches!
Kelsey Phillip '25
Sports Editor
Bump, set, spike! Match point! These are some things you may hear from Coach Frankie Valdez, who coaches our varsity volleyball team, and Coach Dina McBride, who coaches our varsity tennis team. Both coaches agreed to an interview to promote their teams and give some insight for incoming freshmen who may be interested in joining their teams.
Volleyball Coach–Coach Frankie Valdez
Q: Is this the first school you have coached at?
A: No, I was the coach at Harvard-Westlake for the past two seasons. We won the CIF Division 1 state championship. My background with Louisville is that I’ve also done club for the past seven years with Sunshine Volleyball Club.
Q: What teams have you played for at the college and/or professional level?
A: I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and played for the National Team. In 2005, I was recruited to play at Long Beach State till 2008 and then after that I went Pro overseas.
Q:Who is your favorite volleyball team?
A: I do love Team USA because they are so technical and they have a mix of power and height, but you also have to love Brazil. They are so consistent. System wise I would say USA and Brazil. Since I live here I would incline towards USA.
Q: Who is your favorite volleyball player?
A: I love Bethania De La Cruz, she's amazing. She's played for the Dominican national team for about 15 years and she's won every single league out there professionally. For me, she's one of the top pros. Plus, I know her personally and I've admired her since day one, so I have a lot of respect and love for Betty.
Q: Indoor or Beach Volleyball?
A: Indoor.
Q: When did you start playing volleyball?
A: I started playing volleyball when I was 15, but the first national team I ever made for youth was 15 and a half . That was my first world cup in Saudi Arabia and after that I was just madly in love with the sport, and years later here I am as a coach.
Q: What would you say to an incoming freshman who wants to join Louisville’s Volleyball team?
A:Try playing a season or two of club. And have a positive attitude.
Tennis Coach- Dina McBride
Q: Is this the first school you have coached at?
A: No, I coached at West Ranch High School in Valencia for six years.
Q:What teams have you played for at the college and/or professional level?
A:I played at the University of San Diego, where my daughter goes now and has a full-ride scholarship, and she and I played for the same coach who retired two years ago.
Q:Who is your favorite doubles line-up?
A:The Brian Brothers and the Williams sisters, they brought doubles to the forefront and without them it wouldn’t even be seen.
Q:Who is your favorite tennis player?
A:Right now, I love Diego Schwartzman because he’s only five-foot-seven and he competes against guys that are over seven feet tall and wins.
Q:Pickleball or Badminton?
A:Pickleball
Q:When did you start playing tennis?
A:When I was 12.
Q:What would you say to an incoming Freshman who wants to join Louisville’s Tennis team?
A:Start now. Start playing in some tournaments. Don’t wait till tryouts. Tennis is a year round sport.
Thank you to both Coach McBride and Coach Valdez for their time. Feel free to go and support their teams at the next home games, especially Senior night, which is October 17 for Tennis and October 11 for Volleyball. Go Royals!