Nick Mata serves as the associate head coach and recruiting director for George Mason University women’s volleyball.
Hired as an assistant coach in 2021 before being
promoted in 2024, Mata brings a dynamic mix of coaching experience, technical knowledge, and player development expertise to the Patriots’ staff.
Since coming to Fairfax, Mata has played an instrumental role in the program’s year-over-year improvement. During his tenure, the Patriots have improved their record in each season and have seen growing success in player development. While on the staff, he has helped produce one All-Conference selection and three All-Rookie Team honorees, marking a new era of competitive momentum.
In 2023, Mata was recognized nationally by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as one of its Thirty Under 30 honorees. This prestigious award celebrates rising leaders across all levels of volleyball who are passionate about coaching and growing the sport. Mata was selected for his outstanding contributions both as a technical coach and as the team's recruiting coordinator.
Before his time at George Mason, Mata spent four years at the University of Arizona, serving as director of operations for the women’s indoor and beach volleyball programs. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2018 and led Arizona’s women’s club volleyball team to a fifth-place finish at the 2016 NCVF Nationals.
A highly decorated player, Mata helped the Arizona men’s club volleyball team win national championships in 2011 and 2015. He was named All-Tournament MVP at the 2015 NCVF Nationals and earned First Team All-Mountain West Conference honors that same season.
Mata began his coaching career in 2012 at Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona. As the varsity head coach of the girls’ program, he led the team to three consecutive Region/Section titles from 2015 to 2017 and was named Region/Section Coach of the Year in each of those seasons.
A Tucson, Ariz. native, Mata earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona.
