Starting her third year as volleyball coach at UTA, Mary Ridgway has compiled a 91-27 record while capturing two state championships in her first two seasons at the helm.
Her first team finished with a 45-15 record, winning the state title, placing second in the Southwest Regional and taking ninth place in the national AIAW tournament. Last year's edition finished 46-12, adding another state crown and placing fifth in regional play.
Ridgway, a native of Fort Worth where she attended Eastern Hills High School, earned her bachelor's degree at North Texas State and received both the master's and Ph.D. at Texas Woman's University. She coached tennis and taught physical education for five years in the Fort Worth public schools before spending four years at TWU as tennis coach and instructor. After one year as tennis coach at Weatherford College, Ridgway came to UTA, where she is an assistant professor in physical education along with her coaching duties.
Having competed in nine USVBA national open tournaments, Ridgway earned All-American honors during the 1977-78 season. She participated in volleyball, basketball and bowling in college while also seeing open competition in volleyball, tennis and softball.
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Ridgway has also officiated in five AIAW national collegiate volleyball tournaments. Next summer, Ridgway will serve as manager for the United States volleyball team at the World University games in Mexico City.
