Former Carson-Newman volleyball player Kirby Toribio begins her second season as an asssistant coach for head coach Dan Ahiers's volleyball team.

"I really feel it's like I never left," Toribio said. "I loved being an Eagle and I get to be an Eagle again. I'm really excited to continue being an Eagle from a different perspective."

The Bakersfield, Calif. native will embrace several duties this upcoming season and is eager to learn from Ahiers and be willing to assist in any way possible.

Toribio said one challenge she may face is as a vocal leader. "I have the tendency to lead by example. I will want to get out on the court with them. I will have to do a lot of growing by showing and leading."

She spent time with the team in the spring watching the development of a group that looks primed for a big season.

"So far what I've seen is awesome," Toribio said of what she has seen from this year's team. "I have been overwhelmed at how they are hard workers, but they are so passionate about each other, about their relationships together and also about the sport."

Toribio thinks that the momentum and enthusiasm will carry into the season and onto the court during matches.

Among numerous positions, Toribio has been an active leader in the community volunteering for such projects as Operation InAsMuch, the Cinderella Project, the Life Outreach Center and the Providence Church.

On top of being a 4.0 student, Toribio earned a bachelor's degree in Linguistics with a concentration in Spanish, a language that she has worked as a translator.

She was a nominee for the NCAA Scholar-Athlete in 2012, an Eagle Scholar in 2013 and a member of the Alpha Chi Honor's Society.

Toribio married former Carson-Newman football standout and current football assistant coach Anthony Toribio in May 2015.