[taxthedeer]

It was quite a thrill when Ashley won the 2001 NFL Pass, Punt and Kick competition as was introduced at halftime during the AFC title game.

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...07729977337.txt

City's Edinger to coach Cougars



Ashley Edinger
New Prairie Volleyball
By Adam Parkhouse
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
When Ashley Edinger left Michigan City High School in 2006, she had a good idea of where she thought her post-volleyball life would end up.

As is the case with most college students, however, Edinger changed her mind somewhere along the line. Instead of using her molecular and cellular biology degree to go pre-med, she decided she wanted to teach and coach volleyball instead.

Tuesday, the New Prairie School Board gave Edinger her first shot at the latter, approving her as the high school’s head volleyball coach.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Edinger, who graduated from the University of Illinois in 2010.

Edinger, who left MCHS as its all-time kills leader and had a stellar career as a libero at Illinois, said she was going to have a hard time getting away from volleyball.

“My sophomore year, it hit me,” Edinger said. “I like science, but I didn’t think it was the route I wanted to go. I wanted to work more with kids and impact their lives on a one-to-one basis.”

Edinger is still completing her Master’s in secondary education at Valparaiso University, but saw the New Prairie job was open and applied just under the application deadline. After a couple interviews, including one with the superintendent, Edinger was offered the job, replacing Deanne Gonzalez.

Thanks to her involvement in Dunes Volleyball Club, Edinger isn’t completely unfamiliar with the New Prairie program or its players.

“All the girls (from New Prairie) who play for Dunes are all on top teams,” Edinger said. “These girls are getting great experiences. The future looks really good for New Prairie volleyball.”

During her playing days, Edinger was always considered to be a leader. Even in college after tearing her ACL in her senior year, Edinger became a player-coach.

“As a player, if I needed something to be done I just did it and it was over with,” she said. “Now, on the sidelines, I have to inspire a player to do that.

“All the experiences I’ve been through, good and bad, have made me the person I am and the coach I will be.”

Edinger, whose volleyball career has taken her to China as part of the U.S. Junior National Team, sees herself in high school volleyball for the long haul.

“I worked a year at (Valparaiso University) as a grad assistant, and it was a great experience, but I just don’t think that’s for me,” Edinger said. “I’m ready to move back down to the high school level and be a teacher and a coach, start a family around here and have a normal life.”

Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461