Ashley Preston has been named Coppin State's head volleyball coach announced Derrick Ramsey, CSU's director of athletics on Friday.

"Ashley is one of the rising young stars in college volleyball, and we were fortunate to hire her," said Ramsey.  "Ashley was very successful in the classroom and on the court as a student-athlete, and I want her to bring those winning attributes to our program."

Preston becomes the 11th head coach in Coppin State volleyball history and will look to make her mark in her second stint as a head coach. Last season Preston led Spelman College to a 9-16 record, which established a school record for wins in a season. She also served as an assistant coach at Loyola (Md.) and Morgan State.

"I'm so fortunate that Mr. Ramsey and Coppin State Athletics have afforded me the opportunity to coach in the same conference that I have played in," said Preston. "I love the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and I believe I can make people think twice about Coppin State. I know the Baltimore area and I know I can do great things with the potential Coppin State has. I hope that I can show everyone my commitment, drive and motivation to have my student-athletes aspire to be academically sound, involved in the community and athletically competitive. I feel like I am coming home and it feels great. This is not just a job; this is my dream to coach at a Division 1 Historically Black College."

Preston ranks as one of the top players in Morgan State history. She was a three-time First Team All-MEAC selection from 2004-06 and is the Bears all-time leader in digs with 2,066. She also owns the top three marks in Morgan State history for digs in a season. During her tenure the Bears advanced to the MEAC Tournament championship match in 2006.

Coppin State finished the 2011 season with a 5-24 overall record and a 1-11 mark in the MEAC Northern Division, but does return Second Team All-MEAC selections Ariel Richard and Gabrielle Otero from last season.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us this season but a great foundation has been laid from last year and hopefully with some hard work and discipline it will continue to grow," Preston said.

Coppin State will open its 2012 season on Aug. 24 in the Battle of Chesapeake Tournament in the Physical Education Complex.