PORTALES, N.M. – Alba Ontiveros is now the head athletic trainer for Eastern New Mexico University Athletics.

"I am excited to start this new chapter in my career," said Ontiveros on the new opportunity. "I never really saw myself being in a head AT role, but I have had a lot of support and encouragement from our staff and other AT's within our conference giving me the confidence to go for it."

She played volleyball at ENMU from 2014-18 and earned a bachelor's in health and physical education in 2018.

As a Hound, she played in 68 matches and recorded 536 digs. The team went 66-90 in her five seasons and earned double digit win totals over her first four seasons. The last time ENMU earned double digit wins for four seasons in-a-row in volleyball came from 2001-04.

The Las Cruces, N.M. native spent the last two years with the Greyhounds as an assistant athletic trainer where she oversaw the volleyball, women's soccer, and softball programs. She assisted the coaching staffs by traveling to road contests and coordinating health care coverage for the student-athletes competing in those specific sports. Ontiveros also holds experience at the NCAA Division I level from Northern Arizona, San Diego, and Louisiana State.

"I am excited for Alba and this new opportunity," said head women's soccer coach Eric Belcher on the news. "She will do well in this role and continue to elevate that part of the department. It is a win-win for all student-athletes."

As a graduate assistant at Northern Arizona, she helped with all sport programs. She completed her master's in athletic training in 2021.

"I'm excited to implement some changes that I feel will elevate our department as a whole and to gain valuable experiences as a professional," said Ontiveros when asked about the role. "It's always a plus when you are able to give back to your alma mater."

Her new role with the ENMU Athletic Department begins September 25.