Bio

As the 2017 season gets underway, Coach Jackie Ponciano-Babb enters into her 20^th year at the Vikings helm.   Ponciano-Babb has many successful stories to share but the one that she is proud of is that almost all of the student-athletes that have played for her over the years have gone on and graduated with a degree.  “I am proud to know that our program has given many young ladies an opportunity to continue competing in volleyball after high school.” 

Knowing that we compete in the toughest conference in the north, our goal is to provide a competitive atmosphere that teaches our student-athletes how to challenge themselves and find success through cooperative team drills and match play.  We strive to end each year amongst the top teams in the North to ensure our journey continues in the CCCAA play-offs.  We welcome those who are interested in playing competitive volleyball every day to come out and join our ohana, our family.                                                                                     

Under Ponciano-Babb, the Vikings set a record in 2015 as the first sixth place team to qualify for the CCCAA NorCal Regional Play-offs.  Playing in one of the toughest conferences in the state, the Vikings ended the 2015 campaign in sixth place out of nine teams in the Big 8 Conference and were rewarded the 15^th seeded team in the north.  During the play-in match, the Vikings hosted the College of Sequoia Giants’ and defeated them in straight sets.  They then traveled to Los Altos to meet the Owls of Foothill College in Round 1 of the NorCal Regional.  Hanging with the Owls for the first set and a half, the Vikings weren’t able to keep up with the #2 Foothill College that night as the Owls prevailed in the end.  Individual efforts from Kanoe Pruett and Jade Lee were recognized by the Big 8 Conference Coaches as they were voted to the Honorable Mention Team.

The 2016 season, the Vikings had another competitive year where they once again finished in sixth place in the Big 8 Conference.  A couple key loses prevented the Vikings from qualifying for playoffs.  However, several Viking student-athletes were outstanding individually throughout the season.  Freshmen Ashley Dixon led the Big 8 Conference in Blocks per set with Sophomore Jade Lee in second.  Freshmen Jasmine Assia led the Big 8 Conference in Service Aces per set.  Sophomore Jade Lee led the Big 8 Conference in Hitting percentage, second in Kills per set and fourth in Total Kills.  Jade Lee was awarded to the Big 8 All- Conference Team for the second year in row while Jasmine Assia was voted to the Honorable Mention Team.

Ponciano-Babb is looking forward to the 2017 season.  Adding to the core of returning sophomores – Jasmine Assia (Albany, S), Isabel Villalobos (St. Pats/St. Vincent, OH), Celeste Madison (Concord, OH) & Careli Valdivia (College Park, RS), are SFSU transfer Jessica Stratton (Clayton Valley, L), Skylar Mills (Northgate, OH), Vanessa Cuellar (Manteca, S/MH) and Tida Twitchen (John Swett, S).  “Our team has been working extremely hard to get to know each other on and off the court and I believe that will carry us through another tough season”, says Ponciano-Babb.

In addition to her volleyball coaching duties, Ponciano-Babb has served as the Big 8 Volleyball Conference Rep (2014—16); is on the Big 8 Conference General Assembly Committee (2009-present); the new Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance Department Chair as well as being the Head Men’s & Women’s Tennis Coach (2010-present).

Coaching Experience prior to DVC:

American River College (1995-1997) – 1995 Bay Valley Conference Champion; 1995 Bay Valley Conference Coach of the Year; 1995 COA State Championship – 5^th place finish; 1 All-State & All NorCal Player plus 5 Bay Valley All Conference Players

UC, Davis (1994) – Assistant Coach, Women’s Volleyball

Humboldt State (1993) – Assistant Coach, Women’s Volleyball

CSU, Sacramento (1991-1993) – Head Coach, Men’s Junior Varsity Club Team

Club Sacramento (1988-1991) – Assistant Coach, 16 and under team

Ponciano-Babb graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education (1991) and received her Master of Science degree in Sports Performance (1997). 

Ponciano-Babb lives with her husband Mark Babb in Martinez along with their children Maci (15), Marley (14) and Malaika (9).