Midland College Welcomes Aaliyah Gray as New Assistant Volleyball CoachJune 19, 2025

Midland College is proud to announce the addition of Aaliyah Gray as the new Assistant Volleyball Coach for the Lady Chaparrals.

A native of Lubbock, Texas, Gray brings both collegiate playing experience and West Texas coaching expertise to the MC volleyball program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas Permian Basin, where she also played outside hitter for the UTPB Falcons. Prior to her time at UTPB, Gray competed for two years at Lubbock Christian University.

Her coaching background includes work with club teams across the West Texas region, as well as time spent coaching with Gold Medal Squared (GMS) and Extend/All Star Volleyball, where she built a strong reputation for her energy, skill development, and team leadership.

MC Head Volleyball Coach Kristina Gafford said she’s excited to bring Gray on board as the program continues to grow.

“I’ve worked closely with Aaliyah recently and have seen the potential she brings to the table,” said Gafford. “She’s eager to learn and grow as a coach and brings the knowledge and drive you need in an assistant. I hope to build a solid foundation in the Lady Chaps program with Coach Gray.”

Gray joins the Lady Chaps at a pivotal time as the team prepares for the 2025–2026 season, continuing MC’s legacy of excellence both on the court and in the classroom.

“I’m honored and excited to join Midland College,” said Gray. “This program has a strong tradition and a passionate community behind it. I’m looking forward to helping our student-athletes grow, compete, and achieve their goals both in the game and in life. While being an athlete and a competitor throughout my life, a quote that I've lived by is one from Jen Platten: 'If I improve 0.01 (one hundredth) more than you today, tomorrow, and every day, in 22.46 days I will be 25% better than you.' I hope to bring this quote to life within our program."

For more information on Midland College Athletics and the Lady Chaps Volleyball program, visit www.gochaps.com.