Three-time All-American and former Warhawk Paula Diaz has been named the graduate assistant coach for men’s and women’s tennis with Auburn Montgomery by head coach Yair Banuelos.
Diaz, who was named a NAIA First-Team All-American in 2015 and 2016, returns to AUM after spending the past two years working with CNN en Español, beginning as a segment producing intern before working her way up to becoming an associate producer. While working for CNN this past year she was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program in Spanish.
“I am so thankful for the big opportunity that AUM has given me again,” said Diaz. “This is truly a blessing. I’d like to thank Director of Athletics Jessie Rosa and coach Yair (Banuelos) for choosing me. I feel I am coming back home.”
In 2014 she earned second-team NAIA All-America honors while also being named the Southern States Athletic Conference’s Freshman of the Year. Diaz was also All-SSAC three consecutive years, leading the Warhawks to a NAIA National Championship victory in 2015 by earning the deciding point in the finals against Georgia Gwinnett.
The Warhawks began the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II during Diaz’s senior season in 2017, but the Barquisimeto, Venezuela, native finished the season ranked No. 19 in the South Region in helping lead the women’s tennis team to a No. 19 National Ranking as a team.
“I will put all the experience I gained as an AUM player into my coaching, and together with coach Yair, I believe we will accomplish great things,” added Diaz. “I am super excited for this new stage, and I can’t wait to start practice, meet the team, and give all I can to make the team better.”
A leader off the court as well, Diaz was the president of the Communications Club at AUM from 2016-17 and was vice president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee during that same time. She was given a Certificate of Commendation from the city of Montgomery by Mayor Todd Strange in 2015 and earned was a member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s All-Academic Team in 2015 and 2016.
Diaz graduated from AUM in the Spring of 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in Spanish. She is planning on earning her master’s degree in business administration.
