She started out as a Redhawk, helping the team reach the playoffs in each of her four years of high school before graduating in 2019.

Continuing her volleyball career in college as both a setter and libero while an honors student studying psychology and criminal justice at East Texas A&M University, she led the Lions to two appearances in the Southland Conference tournament in four years. 

And now, after two years as the assistant volleyball coach at Dallas Bishop Lynch, physical education teacher, and assistant volleyball coach Ashley Pennington, has seen her story come full circle with her return to The Nest, the same place where she once was a student and an athlete.

“I love getting the opportunity to coach and give back to the program that gave me so many of my lifelong friends and helped me become the person I am today,” Pennington said. “It’s awesome to see that [current head volleyball coach Eighmy] Dobbins has kept the same high expectations [as former head volleyball coach and current Frisco ISD assistant athletic director, U’ilani] Womble, that [the team is] a winning program that [feels] like a family.”

Then, as now, Pennington said that the family dynamic is not limited strictly to the team, crediting the energy of its “extended family”: the students and faculty.

“Playoffs were always so fun because the student section was awesome,” Pennington said. “They always dressed up in costumes and were so supportive and loud. The culture and staff were amazing and still are.”

As one of those staff members, Dobbins said that Pennington has made for a great addition to the coaching staff, especially since she was once in the same position as current Redhawk volleyball players.

“It’s great having someone on our staff who grew up as a Redhawk,” Dobbins said. “She takes pride in Liberty and in our program and motivates the girls to succeed on and off the court. Coach Pennington has been a great addition to our staff. She is knowledgeable, creative, and great at building relationships with our athletes. We are lucky to have her back at The Nest!”

Partially responsible for bringing Pennington back was athletic coordinator Chip Gregory, who said that while he looks for candidates who have prior athletic experience at The Nest, it is far from the only qualification he wants out of a hire.

“It can be beneficial to hire Redhawk alumni like Coach Pennington for coaching positions because they are already familiar with the rules, culture, and traditions of the school,” Gregory said. “Their prior experience as student-athletes can give them a unique perspective and understanding of the athletic program. However, it’s also important to consider other factors such as coaching experience, qualifications, and fit with the team dynamics. Ultimately, the decision should be based on finding the best candidate who can lead and inspire the athletes to success.”

Having coached Pennington several years prior and staying in contact with her ever since, Womble said that she saw many of the same things in Pennington that both Dobbins and Gregory have, and is proud of her returning to The Nest.

“Coach Pennington was one of the most intense and competitive players I’ve ever coached,” Womble said. “She did not like to lose and would work so hard to make sure she could help her team win. I am so proud of her and love that she is sharing her talents and knowledge to students and athletes [in a place where] she knows the culture and successes.”

Before Pennington had a chance to share that talent and knowledge with the team, though, she had a reunion with her former coach that Womble said is the memory of a lifetime for both of them.

“We had a new coaches meeting at the beginning of the year at the athletic office and it was such a feeling of pride to have Coach Pennington in the room and get to brag on her,” Womble said.

It may be early in Pennington’s coaching career, but Womble said she is confident that she will be successful.

“I want her to have a great experience,” Womble said. “To challenge her athletes and to support the program in general. I think that Coach Pennington is the kind of coach that athletes will want to play for and she has the skills to make them better. She definitely has the ability to advance in whatever direction she wants to go, [so]  I would love to see her running a volleyball program as the head coach.”

This story was originally published on Wingspan on October 2, 2025.