The excitement of returning home was evident from the moment Jaida Ward walked into the Pacific Intercollegiate Athletics Center as the new head coach of the Pacific beach volleyball program.

“I am so stoked. University of the Pacific has been my home away from home ever since I was young, and when I came in for my interview it felt like home. I am a Stocktonian,” Ward said.

Ward has been on Pacific’s campus since she was young. She played club volleyball indoors and beach volleyball at Rage Volleyball and Rage Beach Volleyball Clubs in Ripon, California. Those clubs often use Pacific’s facilities. Ward also was on campus for volleyball camps directed by Tigers’ volleyball head coach Greg Gibbons.

“Pacific always had strong values in its volleyball camps, and my foundation for my love of volleyball started there. I have known coach Gibbons since I was young and he has been supportive of my journey,” Ward said.

Ward is a product of Lincoln High School and coached four club teams in California. She spent the last two years coaching at Encore Volleyball Club in Redwood City and trained junior athletes from preseason clinics through end of season championships.

Ward also coached beach and indoors at Mountain View Volleyball Club in Sunnyvale and served as a beach volleyball coach at both Vision Beach Volleyball in San Jose and Rage Beach Volleyball Club.

“I’m excited to come in, build the program and immediately start recruiting. I want to do a good job increasing the visibility of this team, not only at the school but also within the community,” Ward said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Ward was a student-athlete at San Jose State University where she had a decorated playing career. She stands as both the all-time career wins leader and single-season wins leader with the Spartans, primarily playing on Court One (the top court) for four years. A five-time scholar athlete at San Jose State (earning a GPA above 3.5) and a Mountain West scholar athlete, Ward served on the leadership committee and was a coach-to-player liaison.

“Jaida was quite frankly one of the most impressive interviews I've been a part of in my career and will bring a lot of new energy and a demonstrative level of dedication to our beach volleyball program,” Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor said. “Coach Ward has a great mix of playing and coaching experience in the state, and, along with her many ties and love for the Stockton community, I could not be more excited for this program. I look forward to watching her elevate our team.”

Ward graduated from San Jose State in May 2024 with a degree in Justice Studies with a concentration in criminology and sociology.