POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist University Director of Athletics Tim Murray announced the hiring of Katie Tijerina as head water polo coach.
A native of Commerce, California, Tijerina played four seasons of water polo at Marist from 2016-19, and she served as team captain as a junior and senior. She returns to Marist after having served as assistant coach of the women’s and men’s programs at Connecticut College since 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Katie back to Marist as the next leader of our water polo program,” said Elizabeth Donohue, Senior Associate AD/Senior Woman Administrator and team administrator for water polo. “As a proud Marist alumna, Katie understands the values, tradition, and competitive spirit that define Marist Athletics. Her experience as both a student-athlete and coach, combined with her passion for the full student-athlete experience, make her the ideal person to lead our program into its next chapter. We are excited to see the impact she will have on our student-athletes and look forward to the future of Marist Water Polo under her leadership.”
Prior to her arrival at Connecticut College, Tijerina was the assistant coach at her alma mater, Rosary Academy in Fullerton, California, for three-and-a-half years. During this time, she also was the school’s Marketing & Communications Manager. She also served as the head coach of the 16U and 14U teams at MidValley Water Polo Club in Fullerton for over two-and-a-half years.
In her playing career at Marist, Tijerina totaled 207 steals, which ranks first in program history. She also ranks third in assists with 152. Tijerina was named MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2016.
“I’m incredibly honored to return to Marist and lead a program that has meant so much to me,” said Tijerina. “My experience here shaped me as both a student-athlete and a person, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to a place that has had such a lasting impact on my life. I’m excited to work with our student-athletes, build on the program’s tradition of success, and compete for Metro championships while helping them grow both in and out of the pool.”
Following her collegiate playing career, Tijerina played professionally in Europe with Lille in France and N.E.P. in Greece.
Tijerina graduated from Marist with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media in 2019. She earned her Master’s degree in Media Design in 2022 from Full Sail University.
This past season, Marist went 25-6 overall and 8-0 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play to win the conference’s regular-season championship.
Release courtesy Marist University Athletics Communications
