In the Parade of Athletes Banquet this past Monday, May 19, Robinson’s own Christen Garcia was awarded the title of Volleyball Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. This award labeled Garcia as the best high school volleyball coach in all of Hillsborough County.

For the past ten years, the Parade of Athletes magazine and the Tampa Tribune have co-sponsored the banquet to honor and recognize Hillsborough County’s outstanding athletes and coaches. Tampa Tribune writers, who attend school sporting events and get to know coaches and athletes, decide the winners of each award category. They also keep a record of coaches’ and athletes’ statistics, which play a vital role in determining the awardees.

“I am very honored,” said Garcia. “I am very proud to have been awarded it.”

Garcia led the Knights’ varsity volleyball team to the state semifinals for the first time since 1978 – one step farther than last year, when the team made it to the regional finals. Coach Garcia is also Robinson’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher and a familiar face around Robinson. Outside of the classroom, she coaches a competitive travel volleyball team at a local volleyball club, Tampa Bay One.

“I think [the award] is great recognition for Robinson High School and what all of the volleyball players have accomplished,” said Garcia. “It is telling that the program is moving in the right direction.”