Samantha Rainey joined the Biola water polo staff in 2024 as an assistant coach/goalie coach for the men's program under then-head coach Rick Nordell. In July 2026, when Biola brought its men's and women's programs together under Director of Water Polo Jens Cole, her role expanded to goalkeeper coach for both the men's and women's teams. She also supports both teams with logistics and social media.
In Rainey's first season on staff in 2024, the Eagles went 12-21 and finished third at the WWPA Championships. Goalkeeper Mitchell Carpenter led the WWPA with 252 saves, earned First Team All-WWPA honors and was named a First Team ACWPC Division II All-American. In 2025, Biola went 10-21 and reached the WWPA Championship final, falling 9-5 to Concordia. Goalkeeper Joshua Dachenhausen earned All-WWPA Honorable Mention, one of five Eagles to receive All-WWPA honors.
Rainey returned to Biola after previously playing for the Eagles in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She was part of the program's inaugural 2022 team and of the 2023 team that won the WWPA championship and reached the NCAA Championships. During her collegiate career at Biola, she earned ACWPC Division II All-America Honorable Mention honors in 2023 and was also named to the WWPA All-Academic Team and CSC Academic All-District Team.
Rainey later continued her playing career at Concordia University Irvine in 2024, where she earned GCC All-Academic honors.
Rainey graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in biblical studies. She later earned her Master of Business Administration in Sports Business from Concordia University Irvine.
Originally from Porterville, California, Rainey competed in water polo, basketball and swimming in high school. She was a four-time all-league selection in water polo and helped her team win three East Yosemite League championships, an area championship in 2018 and a CIF Division II championship. Rainey was also named to the Principal’s List all four years of high school.
Rainey’s sister, Shyanne, also played collegiate water polo, competing at Azusa Pacific from 2019–2023 before playing at Cal State Fullerton during the 2023–24 season. Shyanne earned All-Big West Honorable Mention and ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention honors and was named a Big West Player of the Week. Shyanne also serves as a volunteer assistant coach with Biola men's water polo.
In addition to coaching, Rainey has worked as a sports photographer at Biola. She enjoys photography and CrossFit, and her favorite Bible verse is 1 Samuel 16:7.
When asked why she chose Biola, Rainey shared, “I wanted to remain part of the incredible community I came to know during my two years at Biola and give back to the program that helped me play college water polo.”
