MOUNT PLEASANT – Tiger Athletics and Iowa Wesleyan University have announced the newest addition to the Tiger Nation, Ashley Miller. Coach Miller will step into the role of Head Volleyball Coach immediately as the 17th head coach in program history. She takes the lead of the Tiger Volleyball program at a very pivotal moment, as they come off a season where the Tigers competed during the spring semester and will be making their return to the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) this fall.
Miller comes to IW from William Penn University, where she spent the past two years as the graduate assistant coach for the women’s volleyball program. She assisted in bringing the Statesmen from a 12-19 record in 2019 to an impressive 17-9 record in 2020-21. The Statesmen fell to Central Methodist in the quarterfinals of their conference tournament. Miller also assisted in many of the day-to-day operations of the Statesmen volleyball program, such as; recruiting, social media, overseeing the varsity reserve team, and developing and implementing practice and game plans. She also acted as a strength and conditioning coach for William Penn, training their men’s soccer, baseball, and women’s volleyball teams.
Throughout her collegiate career, Coach Miller was a four-year member of the William Penn varsity volleyball team. She was a three-time all-Heart (Heart of America Athletic Conference) performer, a three-time team captain, was named Heart Player of the Week six times, and was named the Sterling Female Athlete of Year three years in a row. Miller totaled 2,396 digs, 227 assists, and 114 service aces throughout her collegiate career.
“We are thrilled to have Ashley join our athletic department and university,” said Derek Zander, Vice President for Advancement and Athletics. “Throughout the interview process, Ashley stuck out as our top candidate because of her passion for student-athletes and knowledge of the game of volleyball. With her leadership, we are excited to watch this program grow as we transition to full membership within the NAIA.”
“I am very excited to be given this opportunity as the next head coach at Iowa Wesleyan,” Miller said. “The volleyball program has the potential to do big things, and I am very eager to see it all come together!”
The Tigers are currently scheduled to take on the Red Devils of Eureka College in a scrimmage on Saturday, August 28, inside the Ruble Arena.