The University of Tennessee Southern

Maca Ruiz begins her first season as head volleyball coach at the University of Tennessee Southern in 2025–26.

A UT Southern alumna and former standout on the Firehawks volleyball team, Ruiz returns to Pulaski with a blend of international playing experience and coaching acumen. She brings over four years of coaching experience, including time with M1 Volleyball Club in the United States and at the club level in her native Argentina.

Originally from Argentina, Ruiz competed at the highest levels of the sport in South America, playing in three national leagues and representing her country in the prestigious South American Cup in Brazil. She began her collegiate playing career at Colby Community College in Kansas (2019–2021), where she earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2019 and First Team All-Conference in 2020 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC).

Ruiz transferred to UT Southern for the 2021–2022 seasons, leading the Firehawks in kills and service aces, while earning All-Conference Honorable Mention and Academic All-Conference honors in the Mid-South Conference.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Emphasis in Human Performance and Physical Education from UT Southern, and an Associate of Science from Colby Community College.

Ruiz’s coaching philosophy centers on cultivating discipline, integrity, and team culture. “Coaching volleyball is about more than wins—it's about shaping confident athletes and resilient leaders,” she said. “After being part of the UT Southern volleyball team, I’m thrilled to return and help lead the next generation of Firehawks.”