A New Flight Plan for Pueblo East Volleyball

With deep roots at Pueblo East, Mariah Romero-Leblanc takes the lead of the Eagles with a clear vision for the program’s future.

Volleyball at Pueblo East High School has always been family for Mariah Romero-Leblanc.

Romero-Leblanc is set to begin her first season as head coach of the Eagles, stepping into the position at a school where her own volleyball story was shaped more than a decade ago. 

“This is truly an honor,”

Romero-Leblanc said.

“If you know me, you know I come from a family of coaches, all of whom played at East and then coached at East. To be able to continue my family’s legacy and also create my own makes it all the more special.”

This opportunity represents a ‘homecoming’ in nearly every sense.

Romero-Leblanc played for East from 2012-2015, including the opportunity to share the court with her older sister, Nicole, while being coached by her uncle, Joe Romero. As a senior in 2015, she was named East’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Her connection to volleyball started well before she put on an Eagle’s uniform.

She remembers learning the game in the living room of her grandparents’ home as a young girl. Volleyball runs throughout the family, including two younger cousins who went on to play four years at the collegiate level.

Eventually, Romero-Leblanc’s own playing days gave way to coaching.

Now entering her seventh year coaching volleyball in Pueblo, Romero-Leblanc is in her third year at East after spending the previous two seasons with the program before taking over as head coach.

Her coaching experience has also included serving as an assistant with the Pueblo South boys volleyball program under head coach Ramon Arriaga. During the 2024-2025 season, South boys hosted a regional tournament for the first time in program’s history before making a run to the state championship match. The Colts followed by hosting regionals again in 2025-2026 and making another state tournament appearance. 

Those experiences have helped prepare Romero-Leblanc for an opportunity that carries a little more meaning.

“I’m very honored to be given the opportunity to give back to the school and sport that helped shape who I am... It’s truly a full-circle moment.

I want to build a program our East community can be proud of while helping these girls become strong young women.”

Building Around ‘WE over ME’

A new head coach often means a new vision.

For Romero-Leblanc, that vision can be summarized by four pillars: “WE over ME,” commitment, discipline and trust.

They are principles she wants to become recognizable throughout the East volleyball program–not simply during matches, but in how her players carry themselves away from the court.

“As we start our season, we are creating a ‘WE over ME’ mentality."

"I want them to understand that our four pillars go beyond the volleyball court. Our success isn’t measured by wins and losses, but how they represent East High School and our program.”

A coaching change naturally brings an adjustment period, but Romero-Leblanc doesn’t want that transition to lower the expectations surrounding the Eagles.

“I hope that people notice our teamwork, communication and body language,”

“Whether we’re winning or facing adversity, we aren’t going to give in. I understand that the change of a head coach can be challenging, but we are still ready to compete with any team at the highest level.”

A New Chapter at Home

Romero-Leblanc was once a player on the East volleyball court, learning lessons from coaches and family. Now, she is the person responsible for passing those lessons along to the next generation of Eagles. 

She understands her first will bring challenges, just as each season beyond it will as well–but it will also bring expectations and opportunities. 

The family history will remain, the Eagle pride will remain, but the opportunity to put her own fingerprints on the East volleyball program is one she is excited for. 

As the 2026 season approaches, a new volleyball chapter begins inside the walls of East High School.