YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The Young Harris College men's and women's tennis programs have announced the addition of Valentin Riveros to the coaching staff, where he will serve as an assistant coach working with both programs. 

Originally from Miami, Florida, Riveros joins the Mountain Lions after recently completing his playing career as a Division I men's tennis student-athlete at Merrimack College from 2021–25. A business major with a concentration in sport management, Riveros brings a blend of competitive experience, coaching background, and bilingual communication skills to the Enchanted Valley. 

Riveros has gained hands-on coaching experience across multiple levels, most recently serving as a tennis professional at Spark Fitness Tennis Club in Andover, Massachusetts, where he worked with high-performance junior players and adult clinics. He has also held coaching roles at Willows Racquet Club in North Andover, Massachusetts, and Cañas Tennis Academy in Aventura, Florida, providing private instruction and assisting with youth development and summer camps. 

In addition to his on-court experience, Riveros has been involved in collegiate athletics operations, previously interning with the Merrimack College Box Office, where he supported game-day operations and ticketing for multiple sports. His background reflects a well-rounded understanding of athletics from both a competitive and administrative standpoint. 

Riveros shared his excitement about joining the Mountain Lions staff, saying, "I'm really thankful for the opportunity to be here and for the trust Coach O'Connor has shown in me. I'm excited to start my coaching career at Young Harris and be part of this program. Having just finished playing, I feel like I can connect well with the team and understand the day-to-day demands of being a student-athlete. I'm looking forward to helping wherever I can and supporting the players both on and off the court." 

Riveros joins the Young Harris College tennis programs as they continue to build momentum towards their 2026 spring season!