Santa Clara women’s basketball has brought on Des Abeyta as an assistant coach, rounding out new head coach Loree Payne’s staff.

Abeyta spent the last three seasons as the head coach at Sonoma State where she led the Seawolves to 48 wins and 36 victories in conference play. The team made the postseason each of her three seasons at the helm and she helped seven players earn All-Conference honors.

Abeyta joined Sonoma State after 15 years on the sidelines for the UC Davis women’s program. She began as an assistant coach for the Aggies in 2007-08, the school’s first year in Division I. After spending 11 years as assistant, Abeyta was promoted to the position of associate head coach in 2018.  

As the associate head coach, Abeyta helped lead the Aggies to a 71-35 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances. She was involved in all aspects of the program, working closely with the post players as well as on-court instruction of both the offense and defense, scouting, recruiting and camps.  

Prior to UC Davis, Abeyta spent two seasons as the varsity head coach at Forest Ridge High School in Bellevue, Washington and one season as an assistant coach at North Seattle Community College.  

Abeyta was also a student-athlete during her playing days as she was a standout player for UC Davis from 1996-99, playing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association prior to UC Davis making the jump to Division I. She helped lead the Aggies to a 94-22 overall record in her four seasons and was twice named to the All-Conference team. Abeyta still ranks among the school’s career leaders in points, rebounds and blocked shots.

https://santaclarabroncos.com/news/2025/5/6/womens-basketball-adds-assistant-coach.aspx

Tagged with: WCC