CALDWELL, Idaho — College of Idaho head volleyball coach Liz Mendiola has been named the NAIA Coach of Character, recognizing her commitment to service, leadership and developing student-athletes beyond competition.
Mendiola, who is in her 26th season leading the Yotes, received the national honor after being named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of Character of the Year earlier this summer.
A College of Idaho alumna, Mendiola has spent her entire 25-year head coaching career at her alma mater, where she says the college and its community have shaped her both personally and professionally.
That same sense of community has become central to how Mendiola approaches coaching.
Recently, the Yotes began partnering with the Jae Foundation, an organization dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention. Each preseason, Mendiola brings her team to Jae's Place, where student-athletes learn about the foundation's mission and share their own experiences.
The conversations have become an important part of the program's culture, creating space for student-athletes to talk openly about mental health while learning practical ways to check in on themselves and others.
For Mendiola, the impact extends well beyond the volleyball season.
"We make a point to reflect on the people who have positively impacted us and to think about those who may simply need someone to reach out and check in," Mendiola said. "Those small moments of connection can make a lasting difference, reminding us that caring for one another is just as important as competing together."
That philosophy has made an impact on generations of Yote student-athletes.
Keylee Wilson, a College of Idaho volleyball player who was herself named the CCC Champion of Character, described Mendiola's influence as extending far beyond the court.
"She has created a family, not just a team," Wilson said. "She encourages honest conversations, supports us through our hardest moments, and has fostered an environment where every player feels seen, valued, and loved."
Mendiola's commitment to service also extends throughout the College of Idaho athletic department. She serves as the institution's Senior Woman Leader and oversees the Association of Student-Athletes, helping create leadership and service opportunities across the department.
She also helps organize the annual Special Olympics Idaho Field Day, which brings local special education programs to campus for inclusive activities alongside Yote student-athletes. The event provides opportunities for connection while reinforcing the importance of service and community engagement.
Mendiola regularly supports department-wide initiatives, including game day operations and other responsibilities outside her coaching role. Within her own program, she emphasizes accountability, encouragement and connection through intentional team-building activities and recognition of teammates.
Mendiola is the winningest women's coach in College of Idaho history and has built one of the NAIA's most successful volleyball programs. But for her players, her legacy goes beyond championships and victories.
"She has challenged me to become a stronger athlete, but more importantly, a better human being," Wilson said. "The lessons she teaches about integrity, compassion, resilience, and servant leadership stay with us for life."
Mendiola's national recognition reflects a coaching philosophy centered not only on what student-athletes accomplish, but on who they become along the way.
"Knowing they leave our program not only as better players, but as more compassionate teammates, leaders, and people, has been one of the greatest rewards of coaching," Mendiola said.
Mendiola is being recognized as part of NAIA National Awards Day on Sept. 15.
