Bethel University Names Gabriela Domínguez Maldonado Assistant Volleyball Coach

MCKENZIE, Tenn. (August 2026) – Bethel University Vice President of Athletics Derek Horne announced the hiring of former Wildcat standout Gabriela N. Domínguez Maldonado as the newest assistant coach for the Bethel University volleyball program.

Domínguez returns to the program following an outstanding collegiate career that saw her become one of the Wildcats' most accomplished players. A Mid-South Conference Second Team All-Conference selection and member of the prestigious 1,000-career-kill club, she now begins the next chapter of her volleyball career by helping develop the next generation of Bethel student-athletes.

"We are excited to welcome Gabriela back to Bethel University," Horne said. "She understands the tradition of our volleyball program, the expectations that come with wearing a Wildcat uniform, and the commitment required to compete at a high level. More importantly, she is a person of outstanding character who will serve as an excellent mentor to our student-athletes. We look forward to watching her grow as a coach and continue making a positive impact on our program."

A native of Morovis, Puerto Rico, Maldonado graduated from Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción in Manatí, Puerto Rico, before beginning her collegiate career at Allen Community College. During the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, she earned Female Athlete of the Month honors twice, received Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition, and surpassed the 500-career-kill milestone.

She transferred to Bethel University for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, where she quickly became one of the Wildcats' top offensive threats. Maldonado earned Mid-South Conference Second Team All-Conference honors while reaching the milestone of 1,000 career kills. She graduated from Bethel in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Head Coach Michele Cunha believes Maldonado's experience as a student-athlete at Bethel makes her an ideal addition to the coaching staff.

"Gabriela represents everything we want our program to stand for," Cunha said. "She competed with passion, worked tirelessly to improve every day, and was an outstanding teammate throughout her career. She knows our culture, understands our expectations, and has a genuine desire to help young women succeed both on the court and in the classroom. I have no doubt she will be a tremendous asset to our program, and I couldn't be more excited to have her join our coaching staff."

Maldonado's love for volleyball began at the age of five. She competed extensively in club volleyball throughout Puerto Rico and the United States, experiences that helped shape both her playing career and her passion for coaching. She credits her parents for making countless sacrifices that allowed her to pursue her dreams. Her father, a longtime volleyball coach, inspired her desire to coach, while her mother provided unwavering support by accompanying her to practices, training sessions, and tournaments.

"I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to return to Bethel University as an assistant coach," Maldonado said. "Bethel has been such an important part of my life, and I'm thankful to Coach Cunha and our athletic administration for believing in me. As a former student-athlete, I understand what this program means and the impact it can have on young women. My goal is to help our players grow not only as volleyball athletes but also as students, leaders, and people. I want to create a positive, competitive environment where every student-athlete has the opportunity to reach her full potential."

As assistant coach, Maldonado will assist with all facets of the Wildcats' volleyball program, including recruiting, player development, practice planning, scouting, and match preparation.

The Wildcats open the 2026 season on August 22 with a scrimmage against LeMoyne-Owen College before beginning the regular season on August 25 at home against UT Southern. Bethel enters the season looking to build on a strong returning nucleus while welcoming an exciting group of newcomers to the program.