Coupeville Sports

   Ashley Herndon (right), seen last year with fellow CHS coaches Heidi Wyman (left) and Breanne Smedley. (John Fisken photo)

Joy flows out of Ashley Herndon when she’s in a gym.

Whether she’s pulling duty as an assistant coach with the Coupeville High School volleyball squad or doing her own intense CrossFit workouts, her smile is unmistakable.

It’s the grin of a woman who seizes the day, every day.

Now in her second year of working with the Wolf spikers — she has the program’s longest current tenure, with head coach Cory Whitmore and JV Coach Kristin Bridges in their first season at CHS — Herndon leads by example.

“I think I’m still finding out about who I am and what my strengths are as a coach,” she said. “Most of the time I don’t really feel like I’m doing or saying all the right things but when I see the smiles on their faces when I walk in the gym then I know I’m doing something right.

“I hope to bring more than just improving their skills in the sport; I hope to inspire them, guide them and be a good mentor.”

Her best moment just happened, when she was a part of Coupeville knocking off Klahowya in Silverdale, ending the Eagles 14-match unbeaten streak in 1A Olympic League play.

“The highlight of coaching came Tuesday night, watching them battle their way to a victory over Klahowya,” Herndon said. “Their growth individually and as a team was inspiring to watch.

“I had a very proud momma bear moment.”

A former college player herself, Herndon, who’s currently in the Navy, has had a long-term love affair with the sport.

“I love volleyball! Love watching it, love playing it,” she said.

“The thing I love most about the sport is that you bring your own talent to the floor but you need the five other players around you to be successful,” Herndon added. “It’s never about an individual, it’s about the team as a unit, a family.”

Away from the court, she’s a “huge music lover; it moves my soul to dance,” swears by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing and is always ready to get her workout on.

“When I’m not coaching I can be found in the gym trying to lift all the weights,” Herndon said. “A couple of years ago I tried out CrossFit and fell in love.

“Every workout just absolutely destroys me, but it makes me want to work harder everyday.”

When she needs inspiration and support, it’s never far away, as Herndon’s family has done a strong job crafting their winner of a daughter.

“My mom and my dad are the culprits responsible for the woman known as Ashley!! They have always and continue to be my biggest fans,” she said. “They support me unconditionally and have taught me how to be a strong independent woman that can take on the world.”