Trailblazers Volleyball Welcomes New Assistant Coach Blondie Penaflor

Blondie Penaflor has officially joined the Forsyth Tech volleyball program as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2026 campaign. Penaflor brings a decorated collegiate playing career and a passion for student-athlete development to the Trailblazers' sidelines.

 

Penaflor transitions into the role following a successful stint as both a student athlete and student assistant coach at NCAA Division II Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. During her final semester with the Bearcats, she spearheaded on-court practice execution and managed advanced statistical tracking during matches, contributing to the program's elite operational standards. Throughout her collegiate career, Penaflor also dedicated significant time to coaching youth club levels from 11U and up, focusing on technical skill acquisition and building a strong foundational love for the sport.

 

"I am extremely excited to work with Blondie and know she is a great addition to our program," said Head Coach Sarah Weavil. "Her background as a player at the junior college and four-year college levels immediately establishes credibility with our players and recruits, she has been where they strive to go. Blondie has a remarkable gift for connecting with young athletes and inspiring them to push their boundaries. Her experience will elevate our gym environment immediately."

 

With the Trailblazers, Penaflor's primary responsibilities will include overseeing daily training sessions, implementing tactical adjustments, and utilizing match statistics to drive player development. Her versatile background allows her to provide specialized instruction across multiple positions, enhancing the team's transition defense and system efficiency.

 

Prior to stepping into coaching full-time, Penaflor was a standout standard-bearer on the court. At Lander University, she earned Second-Team All-Peach Belt Conference honors and anchored the squad that captured a Peach Belt Conference Championship during her senior campaign. Penaflor opened her collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where she demonstrated elite versatility by earning Second-Team All-Conference accolades at two separate positions.

 

Penaflor earned an Associate of Arts degree from Hutchinson Community College before graduating from Lander University with a Bachelor's degree in Education and Child Development.