Milford Public Schools is proud to announce that Andrew Mainini, head coach of the Milford High School boys' volleyball team, has been named a recipient of the 2025-2026 MIAA Coach of the Year Award for Boys’ Volleyball (Spring). Mainini will be honored at the MIAA Awards Banquet on Monday, Dec. 7, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Milford.

Mainini led the Scarlet Hawks to a 15-8 record and a Final Four appearance in the spring of 2026. It was the program's fourth Final Four in five seasons, following runs in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

"This Spring, I had the unique view as Athletic Director to watch Andrew be the leader of our Boys Volleyball program," said Milford Public Schools Athletic Director Steven DiVitto. "I knew he was an excellent coach, but his leadership skills and the ability to have his players 'rowing the boat in the same direction' was such a pleasure to watch. He coaches with poise, passion and determination and gets a buy-in from his team that is unmatched."

Mainini has coached boys' volleyball at Milford since 2016, compiling a 152-73 record over 11 seasons. He also coached the girls' volleyball program from 2013 to 2019, going 117-35 and winning the 2017 Division 3 Central Massachusetts championship. His combined career record stands at 269-108.

MIAA award adds to a list of coaching honors that includes:

•  2023 Boston Globe Division 2  Coach of the Year

•  2022 MetroWest Daily News Coach of the Year

•  2019 Tri-Valley League Coach of the Year

•  2018 AVCA 30 Under 30 Coach

Mainini has taught Spanish and ESL at Milford High School since 2012. Beyond the school day, he has directed Mass Mayhem Club Volleyball since 2014 and the Milford Grass Volleyball League since 2021. Since 2025, he has organized the Linda Zacchilli Memorial Pickleball Tournament. He is a member of the Massachusetts Volleyball Coaches' Association (MAVCA), the New England Region Volleyball Association (NERVA) and USA Volleyball (USAV).

"Andrew is very prompt, thorough, dependable, and efficient with regards to carrying out his responsibilities," DiVitto said. "Andrew is not only a very pleasant, honest, and reliable individual himself, but has the ability to instill these qualities in others."

Mainini sees coaching as teaching first. He makes a point of explaining the "why" behind his instruction, so that his athletes may one day give back to the sport as coaches themselves.  

"Coaches teach their athletes to be great people," Mainini said. "This means building athletes who are responsible, hard-working, selfless, empathetic, and good community members. A sport can bring a broader community together to celebrate and support its members who are working hard together towards a common goal."

That community reaches past any single season. Mainini works to keep alumni connected to the program and to the younger generations of players coming up behind them. 

Submitted by Milford Public Schools