The City College of New York Interim Director of Athletics, Karina Jorge, has announced the appointment of Perla Sanchez—a proud Dominican Republic native, CUNY standout student-athlete, and accomplished coach—as the next Head Coach of the CCNY Women's Volleyball program.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome Perla Sanchez as the new head coach of the CCNY Women's Volleyball program," said Jorge. "As a CUNY alumna, former student-athlete, and championship-caliber coach, she brings a powerful combination of passion, resilience, and experience to our program. Her commitment to student development, team culture, and competitive excellence makes her the perfect leader to guide our volleyball team into a new era."
Sanchez's journey reflects her lifelong dedication to the sport. She first discovered volleyball at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy, where she helped lead her team to back-to-back undefeated seasons and its first-ever semifinal appearance. At John Jay College of Criminal Justice, she walked on to the volleyball team, quickly earning the starting libero position as a freshman and serving as team captain by her sophomore year. Under her leadership, John Jay achieved its first CUNYAC quarterfinal and semifinal appearances. Sanchez earned multiple honors, including CUNYAC Libero of the Week and the CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award.
"It's an honor to come back to CUNY and lead the Beavers into this next chapter", said Sanchez. "Volleyball has shaped so much of who I am—from walking on as a student-athlete to now stepping into this role as head coach—and I'm ready to pour that same drive and passion into our team. My vision is for CCNY Volleyball to compete with pride, discipline, and resilience, while also helping our athletes grow as confident leaders on and off the court. We're here to put in the work, set high standards, and make sure Beaver Volleyball is a program people recognize and respect."
Bringing more than a decade of coaching and recruiting experience to Harlem, Sanchez has served since 2014 as a Master Coach at Legacy Volleyball Club, guiding athletes to success at the collegiate and national levels. In addition to coaching, she worked as the club's Recruiting Coordinator and Program Manager, mentoring student-athletes and managing operations. In 2021–2022, Sanchez became the Head Coach at Hostos Community College, where she immediately elevated the program, leading the Caimans to the CUNYAC Finals in her first season.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Sanchez is respected for her ability to mentor student-athletes both on and off the court. At the heart of her coaching philosophy is the belief that success extends beyond wins—it's about building character, confidence, and community.
A proud CUNY graduate, Sanchez earned her bachelor's degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology and Police Studies from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2016.
