BALTIMORE – Coppin State volleyball coach
Ashley Preston remembers the first time she met her team after being hired in 2012.
"It was intimidating when I first got here," Preston said. "This was my first Division I head coaching job. I can remember our first practice when the team was staring at me like what do we do. I am like 'oh my gosh, I have to be your leader."
Less than three years later, everybody was looking at Preston again following Coppin State's 3-1 victory over Delaware State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division match inside of the Auxiliary Gym Friday night. This time, it was for accomplishing something special as Preston became Coppin State's all-time winningest coach in program history with 38 victories at precisely 8:51 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Following the match, she was presented with a plaque commemorating her achievement by Director of Athletics Derrick K. Ramsey. The fans, including the entire "Turn-Up" squad wanted Preston to speak, but she didn't oblige.
Preston surpassed Linda Mitchell's total of 37 wins. Preston has done an incredible job during her time at the helm of the Coppin State program. She has molded her team into a conference championship contender, mentored her young ladies and changed the image of Coppin State volleyball in just under three years.
While the wins on the court are nice, Preston's biggest impact and more significant accomplishments lie in what her student-athletes do in the classroom. The Coppin State volleyball team had a 3.698 grade-point average in the spring 2014 semester, the highest among Coppin State's 14 sports teams. In addition, three players (
Kandace Thomas,
Kendra Ireigbe and
Cindy Okpegbue) all earned 4.0 grade-point averages during the spring 2014 semester.
"My kids are my world," Preston said. "I have 12 kids who are 18 to 22 years old, who I worry about. I do this for them. I am here at Coppin State for them. They give me life and purpose. Every day I am with them; I am grateful and happy. As much as they frustrate me at times, I love them and they mean everything to me."
There were moments during Friday's match in which Preston's face would've caused Freddy Krueger a few nightmares, especially during the third set as Delaware State erased a 20-16 deficit to win 26-24 and force a fourth set. The Eagles eventually made the smile return to Preston's face by winning the fourth set, 25-16.
Preston saw an opportunity for success when she applied for the position. Taking over a program that hadn't experienced any sustained success didn't deter her from believing she could do some great things. She has efficiently and quickly established a standard of excellence that has made Coppin State a formidable force.
Before Preston's arrival to Coppin State, there used to be a time when scoring one point during a match or winning one set was cause for a celebration and a possible ticker-tape parade. As a Morgan State legend who holds the Bears' all-time program record for career digs, Preston had a unique view of Coppin State's struggles as an opponent.
"The thought process of playing Coppin State was we used to get in trouble if Coppin State scored more than 10 points," Preston said. "There used to be a joke on campus, that on Sundays, you could still catch the football game because once the net was set up, 30 minutes later they were taking it down."
The nets are staying up a lot longer these days as the Eagles, under the leadership of the passionate Preston has emerged into one of the best volleyball programs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
Coppin State has increased its win total in each of the two years. In Preston's first year, the Eagles won 11 matches. Last season, the Eagles enjoyed a season to remember as she led them to a school-record 15 wins along with a spot in their first MEAC title game in program history. One amazing highlight was beating MEAC gold standard Florida A&M, 3-2, in the semifinals, marking the first time since 1992 the Eagles had won a set from the Rattlers.
Under Preston, the Eagles are continuing to make history.
Already this season, Coppin State has defeated UMBC for the first time in program history, won its season opener for the first time, established a record for wins in September and head into November with its first winning record in program history.
While Preston has been a big piece of Coppin State's volleyball revival, it has helped that she has tremendously gifted players led by seniors
Ariel Richard and
Gabrielle Otero. Juniors
Cindy Okpegbue,
Kandace Thomas,
Kendra Ireigbe,
Denali Sturgeon,
Chelsee Sauni, and
Nicole Malave-Adams along with sophomores
Jasmine Burton and
Ellena Torres have laid the foundation for sustained success.
Freshmen
Maya Horner and
Bailee Jackson have also had their share of outstanding moments so far this season for the Eagles.
"To see them succeed means more to me than anything," Preston said. "It's not about me; it's about these young ladies. I am fortunate that I am able to guide and lift them. From there we've grown a relationship and they know I love them to death. They know there's nothing I wouldn't do for them."
Preston had simple goals when she took over the helm for the Eagles.
"I was just looking to accomplish things that were already in motion," Preston said. "Former (head coach) Sylvan did a good job recruiting for Coppin. When I started here, I had the youngest team in the nation. I was looking to make history and do things that were never done before and show Coppin State in a different light."
Preston has done that and more.
The Eagles' story still has a few more chapters to write this year.
