Ashlee Crowder dominated the volleyball court. Now she plans to dominate from the bench.
The Hillsdale College standout will not ride the pine this season, but rather coach the young Charger squad as they attempt to stay atop the GLIAC.
Crowder will student-coach the team as she finishes course requirements before moving back to her hometown of Grand Rapids to student-teach next semester.
“She needed a fifth year and obviously she’s been around for a while and knows what to expect,” head coach Chris Gravel said. “It’s an opportunity to keep her around to mentor and also to step into practice because she would still be one of league’s best players. For her to be here on a regular basis is beneficial.”
The three-time All-American holds the school record career kills with 1,703. She was also the two-time GLIAC Player of the Year, GLIAC Freshman of the Year, and two-time GLIAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Crowder is excited about the opportunity to help lead a team of which she was such an influential figure.
“I was a part of the program for the past four years and having another set of eyes with a young team is valuable,” Crowder said. “[Coach Gravel] came up with a plan on what my job dealt with … I want to coach in the future, whether collegiate or elsewhere, so this is a good experience for that.”
This year’s team is similar to Crowder’s team her freshman year- young and full of potential.
“Mine was a rather large class of five and there were quite a few freshman starting and as the years went on we grew and built together,” Crowder said. “That’s why it’s a good year for me to be here. Things will click and come around but for now, they just have to keep working hard.”
Crowder said her freshman year’s team had to go through tough losses to eventually reach success.
“As much as it stinks to say and accept, you’ll look back and learn (from these losses),” she said. “Patience is key, and at the same time so is not plateauing or settling and trying to get better every single day.”
Coach Gravel said Crowder helps the team by serving against them, blocking their kills, and hitting against them, her specialty. He added she will do anything they need her to do.
“We’re still so lucky to have her practice with us and help make us better,” said the lone senior and captain Lauren Grover. “She’s so physically strong still so if we can return her serve it will help us prepare to return serves from other teams we’re playing. She’s still got it.”
Crowder said her transition from player to coach has been difficult.
“I’ve heard from lots of people that the first year out is the hardest and I’d agree. Especially being here again with them during the preseason, I felt like I was going to put a jersey on with them,” Crowder said. “Now it’s about trying to find the fine line of coach and player; drawing that line has been a challenge. Some girls, like Lauren and Kaleigh (Schuster), I’ve been with for three years, so it’s hard.”
Grover said she was thrilled to find out that one of her best friends would be returning to the program for another year.
“I’ve always really looked up to her. She has so much drive and heart for the game that it’s something I’ve always wanted to develop,” Grover said. “She is so smart on the court and makes such good decisions. It’s not something everyone has. You have to work really hard to develop it.”
Crowder has already seen improvement in the young team, which includes seven freshmen, many of whom regularly play in the lineup. She looks forward to more improvement as the season progresses.
In the meantime, Crowder will continue the leap from playing to coaching.
“It still feels like normal. I’m so used to going to classes then practice everyday. In the mornings I go to the offices and work instead of coming up for classes,” Crowder said. “It still feels good to be back in Hillsdale because I didn’t want to leave yet.”