Kirby Ellis Named Volleyball Assistant Coach

Former Carson-Newman volleyball player Kirby Ellis has been named an assistant coach for head coach Dan Ahiers’s volleyball team. Ellis battled injuries during her playing career as she was able to play in just three sets over two seasons, but she looks forward to being on the sideline once again.

“I really feel it’s like I never left,” Ellis said Tuesday afternoon. “I loved being an Eagle and I get to be an Eagle again. I’m really excited to continue being an Eagle from a different perspective.”

The Bakersfield, Calif. native will embrace several duties this upcoming season and is eager to learn from Ahiers and be willing to assist in any way possible.

Ellis said one challenge she may face is as a vocal leader. “I have the tendency to lead by example. I will want to get out on the court with them. I will have to do a lot of growing by showing and leading.”

She spent time with the team in the spring watching the development of a group that looks primed for a big season.

“So far what I’ve seen is awesome,” Ellis said of what she has seen from this year’s team. “I have been overwhelmed at how they are hard workers, but they are so passionate about each other, about their relationships together and also about the sport.”

Ellis thinks that the momentum and enthusiasm will carry into the season and onto the court during matches.

Among numerous positions, Ellis has been an active leader in the community volunteering for such projects as Operation InAsMuch, the Cinderella Project, the Life Outreach Center and the Providence Church.

On top of being a 4.0 student, Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics with a concentration in Spanish, a language that she has worked as a translator.

She was a nominee for the NCAA Scholar-Athlete in 2012, an Eagle Scholar in 2013 and a member of the Alpha Chi Honor’s Society.