Jaci Barrientes is headed for her second season as the Tigers assistant softball coach.

In 2009, Coach Barrientes came to the Trinity campus from nearby Incarnate Word High School, where she served for two years as the head softball and junior varsity volleyball coach. The Shamrocks softball team advanced to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) state semifinals, after capturing the District 2-6A championship.

An English teacher at San Antonio's St. Paul's Catholic School, Coach Barrientes also coached the Alamo Volleyball Club Team.

Coach Barrientes earned the Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of Houston in 2006.

She competed in softball - as a player for Trinity coach Nicole Smith, an assistant at the time for the Cougars - and in volleyball.

Coach Barrientes received recognition as a member of the Conference USA Softball All-Tournament Team and was Academic Most Valuable Player. She also was elected to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.

Her prowess in volleyball also earned accolades. Coach Barrientes was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American, as well as being selected for the Conference USA First Team.

The talented coach Barrientes received the University of Houston Distinguished Senior Award and was the Cougars' Female Athlete of the Year.

An outstanding student-athlete, coach Barrientes made the Dean's List for six semesters and was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Coach Barrientes' excellence in the classroom and athletics endeavors earned her a slot on ESPN The Magazine's Academic District VI Volleyball First Team in 2005 and Softball First Team in 2006.