Coach Hough on the new hire
Dylan Hough, head coach of Jacksonville University’s beach volleyball team, praised Andrea Da Silva Encinas for her championship background and strong leadership abilities as she joins the staff as a graduate assistant. He added that her achievements at every stage of her volleyball career reflect a deep understanding of the sport and make her a valuable addition to the Dolphins' program. Hough emphasized that Da Silva Encinas’ experience and drive will help shape the team’s players and help the program continue to grow.
Da Silva Encinas' recent achievements
After two seasons at North Florida, Da Silva Encinas distinguished herself as a First Team All-ASUN and Academic All-ASUN award winner. She helped lead the Ospreys to a 2026 ASUN Championship final and secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship with a 2025 ASUN title. Her final season at UNF was particularly impressive, as she partnered with Madison Espy to claim ASUN Pair of the Week honors after defeating No. 3 USC and No. 2 Stanford, No. 15 Stetson throughout the season.
Da Silva Encinas and Sophia Notaro formed a winning duo in 2025, earning spots on the ASUN All-Tournament Team after beating Stetson in straight sets during North Florida’s championship victory. Their performance helped cement the Ospreys’ success and highlighted their strong teamwork and skill.
Early career highlights
Prior to North Florida, Da Silva Encinas played for one season at Southeastern Louisiana, where she and Rachel Hartmann earned a 23-9 record in the top position, breaking the school’s record for most wins by a pair. She received Second Team All-Southland honors and was recognized as the Southland Pair of the Week. She also earned Southland All-Academic honors, showing her ability to succeed both on and off the court.
Before her college career, she played indoor volleyball at Polk State College. As a freshman, she contributed to the team’s 2021 NJCAA Southeast District B championship and earned FCSAA All-Academic recognition, highlighting her early promise as a student-athlete.
Da Silva Encinas on joining Jacksonville
'I'm so excited and honored to begin this new chapter with Jacksonville Beach Volleyball,' Da Silva Encinas said, expressing her enthusiasm for joining the Dolphins. 'I can't wait to meet everyone and work together toward a great season.' Her comments reflect her readiness to contribute to the team and her eagerness to embrace the next stage of her volleyball journey.