Ashley Martin (Williams)

Ashley Martin (Williams) - Valley High School – Class of 2001

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction 2020

Ashley Martin (Williams) was a two-sport standout for the Valley Terriers from 1997-2001.  She earned a spot on the Class C-1 First Team All-State Volleyball squad her senior year and was rated the 9^th best recruit in the nation in 2001 by Volleyball Magazine. After high school, she took her immense volleyball talent to Creighton University where she was named Second Team All Missouri Valley Conference after the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Former Valley High School Head Volleyball Coach, Mary Jean Guenther (Fitzgerald) stated, “Ashley was always a leader in the classroom and on the court. She was a hard worker ALL the time, even when no one was watching. Ashley was a pleasure to coach because she was always at her best when the arena lights came on and the competition was the toughest! She had a great passion for competition and truly loved the game of volleyball. She is still passing on that passion for the game by coaching young players in the club circuit.”

In high school, Ashley earned six total letters in volleyball and basketball and was a unanimous First Team All Nebraska Capital Conference pick in both sports her senior year. When asked about her most memorable high school memories, Ashley reflected, “Honestly, the moments spent with my teammates on the busses and locker rooms before and after the games are some of the most memorable moments I have as a player. In particular, being in the locker room before volleyball matches, we would dance and sing to Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin on a Prayer’ to get us pumped up before the match. It was such a great feeling running onto the court with the legendary “Dawg Pound” made up of our classmates and student body cheering us on! Small-town kids supporting each other - there is nothing better!”

After high school, Ashley went to Creighton University on a volleyball scholarship and received a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Nursing. She was a great student athlete at Creighton earning multiple academic and athletic honors including 1^st Team Academic All Missouri Valley Conference in 2003/04 and the 2003 All Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Team.  She still ranks 1^st and 2^nd all-time at Creighton for total blocks in a single match with 17 vs. Wichita State and 16 vs. Southern Illinois in 2003.

For the last 14 years, Ashley has been proud to have worked as a registered nurse in the operating room at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. However, her true love is coaching young girls in the Premier Nebraska Volleyball Club. For the past 13 seasons, she has coached the top 14s team, Premier Nebraska 14 Gold. Her husband of 15 years, Tad is her assistant coach.  Please welcome Valley High School great, Ashley Martin (Williams) to the Douglas County West Athletic Hall of Fame!