Northwestern University Athletics
Davis Adds Pedro Mendes To Coaching Staff
2/14/2023 9:30:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sao Paulo, Brazil native will serve as an assistant coach with the ‘Cats
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 14, 2023) – Northwestern University head volleyball coach Shane Davis announced the addition of Pedro Mendes to his coaching staff on Tuesday. Mendes, who will serve as an assistant coach, arrives in Evanston after spending the 2022 season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Minnesota.
"We are very excited to add Pedro," Davis commented. "With his international experience as both a head and assistant coach, I believe our girls will benefit greatly from Pedro's presence as both a coach and a person. He's proven his ability to have success in the Big Ten from his experience with middles and blocking systems last season. Pedro will thrive immediately creating relationships and building connections within our Northwestern community."
During his lone season at Minnesota, Mendes was part of a staff that piloted the Golden Gophers to an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, finishing 22-9 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten Conference play. He aided in the development of six All-Big Ten honorees, a group highlighted by reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Taylor Landfair and First Team All-Big Ten picks Melani Shaffmaster and Carter Booth.
Focusing his efforts primarily with the Golden Gophers' middle blockers, Mendes helped Minnesota close the year ranked fourth nationally in blocks per set (2.92). His work was on full display with the success of Booth, who averaged 1.48 blocks per set, a Minnesota freshman record that also ranked seventh on the program's all-time single season record board.
"I would like to start by thanking my family for their continued faith and support that allows me to keep pursuing my passion of coaching college volleyball at the highest level," Mendes stated. "I would also like to thank my friend and mentor, Hugh McCutcheon, the staff, and all of the student-athletes at Minnesota for the lessons, respect, and lifelong friendships created during my time with the Golden Gophers."
"We are honored to move to the Chicagoland area and wear the Northwestern colors," Mendes continued. "Being able to work for an outstanding academic institution along with being in the best volleyball conference in the country is a dream. Since my very first interaction with Shane, it was clear that Northwestern was the right fit. Shane's love for his family, his passion for developing student-athletes into great people, and his commitment to doing things the right way aligns with everything I stand for."
Prior to his time in Minneapolis, Mendes had a wildly successful stint as head coach at Hylte/Halmstad VBK in Halmstad, Sweden, guiding the club to its first national and cup championships in 2021 before repeating as champions in the following season. During his two-year stay, Mendes saw his athletes called up to the Swedish National Team, while also guiding a pair of players to Most Valuable Player accolades.
Mendes cut his teeth in the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with Eczasibasi Vitra Istanbul in Turkey. Widely regarded as one of the top women's volleyball clubs in the world, he helped the club capture the Turkish Cup, along with a runner-up finish at the World Cup Championship in China.
Mendes, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil and 2012 graduate of UniFunvic, enjoyed a 20-year playing career that spanned seven countries. He spent four years with Brazil's Youth National Team before professional stops in Brazil, Portugal, France, Germany, Sweden, Israel, and Switzerland.
"I believe in coaching through relationships based on respect and honesty is imperative to success, and I have found that here at Northwestern," Mendes concluded. "I look forward to building new relationships and working with the coaching staff to help develop our athletes to reach our goals!"
Mendes and his wife, Lauren, are parents to a daughter, Skye.
"We are very excited to add Pedro," Davis commented. "With his international experience as both a head and assistant coach, I believe our girls will benefit greatly from Pedro's presence as both a coach and a person. He's proven his ability to have success in the Big Ten from his experience with middles and blocking systems last season. Pedro will thrive immediately creating relationships and building connections within our Northwestern community."
During his lone season at Minnesota, Mendes was part of a staff that piloted the Golden Gophers to an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, finishing 22-9 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten Conference play. He aided in the development of six All-Big Ten honorees, a group highlighted by reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Taylor Landfair and First Team All-Big Ten picks Melani Shaffmaster and Carter Booth.
Focusing his efforts primarily with the Golden Gophers' middle blockers, Mendes helped Minnesota close the year ranked fourth nationally in blocks per set (2.92). His work was on full display with the success of Booth, who averaged 1.48 blocks per set, a Minnesota freshman record that also ranked seventh on the program's all-time single season record board.
"I would like to start by thanking my family for their continued faith and support that allows me to keep pursuing my passion of coaching college volleyball at the highest level," Mendes stated. "I would also like to thank my friend and mentor, Hugh McCutcheon, the staff, and all of the student-athletes at Minnesota for the lessons, respect, and lifelong friendships created during my time with the Golden Gophers."
"We are honored to move to the Chicagoland area and wear the Northwestern colors," Mendes continued. "Being able to work for an outstanding academic institution along with being in the best volleyball conference in the country is a dream. Since my very first interaction with Shane, it was clear that Northwestern was the right fit. Shane's love for his family, his passion for developing student-athletes into great people, and his commitment to doing things the right way aligns with everything I stand for."
Prior to his time in Minneapolis, Mendes had a wildly successful stint as head coach at Hylte/Halmstad VBK in Halmstad, Sweden, guiding the club to its first national and cup championships in 2021 before repeating as champions in the following season. During his two-year stay, Mendes saw his athletes called up to the Swedish National Team, while also guiding a pair of players to Most Valuable Player accolades.
Mendes cut his teeth in the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with Eczasibasi Vitra Istanbul in Turkey. Widely regarded as one of the top women's volleyball clubs in the world, he helped the club capture the Turkish Cup, along with a runner-up finish at the World Cup Championship in China.
Mendes, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil and 2012 graduate of UniFunvic, enjoyed a 20-year playing career that spanned seven countries. He spent four years with Brazil's Youth National Team before professional stops in Brazil, Portugal, France, Germany, Sweden, Israel, and Switzerland.
"I believe in coaching through relationships based on respect and honesty is imperative to success, and I have found that here at Northwestern," Mendes concluded. "I look forward to building new relationships and working with the coaching staff to help develop our athletes to reach our goals!"
Mendes and his wife, Lauren, are parents to a daughter, Skye.
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