Western Illinois University Athletics announced Mari Silva as the next head coach of the Leatherneck Women’s Volleyball program.
Silva arrives in Macomb after spending the past four seasons on staff at Towson University, where she helped guide the Tigers through a highly successful stretch of competition in the Colonial Athletic Association. In 2025, Silva worked closely with the team’s defensive specialists, liberos, and setters, contributing to a 21–7 season and helping develop multiple All-CAA selections, including Sydney Stewart, who was named CAA Libero of the Year and earned Second Team All-CAA honors. Erin Brothers and Ella Sanders also earned Second Team All-CAA recognition under her guidance. In 2024, Silva helped mentor Victoria Barrett, who was named CAA Player of the Year, First Team All-CAA, and a CAA All-Tournament Team selection, while Ylenia DeMango and Zyare Abdul-Rahim earned Second Team All-CAA honors. In 2023, she was part of a staff that developed Nina Cajic, who earned CAA Player of the Year and First Team All-CAA honors alongside Victoria Barrett, while Irbe Lazda and Aayinde Smith earned Second Team All-CAA recognition. In 2023 and 2022, Silva contributed to teams that produced multiple All-Region, All-Conference, and All-American honors, including AVCA All-American Honorable Mention Victoria Barrett and AVCA East All-Region selections Nina Cajic and Barrett.
Prior to her time at Towson, Silva spent one season as an assistant coach at Missouri Southern State University. She also gained extensive club experience with the Northern Virginia Volleyball Association, where she served as a full-time coach and interim technical director. Her collegiate coaching background also includes a volunteer coaching role at George Mason University and two seasons as a graduate assistant at Valdosta State University.
As a student-athlete, Silva competed at the Division I level for Florida International University, where she played two seasons for the Panthers. As a junior, she led the team in assists and service aces while ranking among the top blockers in Conference USA. She transitioned to middle blocker as a senior and finished second on the team in total blocks while leading FIU in blocks per set. Prior to FIU, she competed at Pratt Community College, where she earned All-Conference honors and was named to the KJCAC All-Tournament Team.
A native of São José dos Campos, Brazil, Silva earned her bachelor’s degree in recreation and sport management from Florida International University and her master’s degree in exercise physiology from Valdosta State University.
