Snead State Community College recently announced the appointment of a new head volleyball coach.
Dee Ayres accepted the part-time coaching position and officially begins in January. The Southside High School volleyball coach takes the position left vacant by Lisa Murray Bright. After serving as Snead State’s volleyball and women’s softball coach for two years, Bright will continue as the softball coach and the academic advisor for athletics.
“I am really excited about taking over as the new volleyball coach, and I am looking forward to building on the success of the volleyball program and to cultivate young lives into professionals,” said Ayres.
Ayres’ athletic career includes successes she achieved in high school when she lettered in volleyball, basketball and tennis at Southside. During her senior year, the Lady Panthers volleyball team placed second at the state tournament.
Ayers attended the University of North Alabama on an athletic and academic scholarship and played for the UNA volleyball team from 2003-2006.
In addition to receiving her Bachelor’s degree from UNA, she was a member of the 2003 NCAA Division II National Championship volleyball team and was team captain during the 2005 and 2006 volleyball seasons. In 2006, she helped to lead the team to the NCAA Division II National Championship game.
Over the course of her volleyball career, Ayres’ team won three Gulf South Conference Championships and one National Championship title and made four NCAA Division II Regional appearances, two NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances, two Final Four appearances, and two national championship games.
“We are excited to have Ayres join the Parson coaching staff,” said SSCC Athletic Director Mark Richard. “With her experience and knowledge, I believe she will be a great asset to the athletic department and will wholeheartedly join us in assisting our volleyball student-athletes to a promising future as college graduates.”
“It is always been a dream of mine to be a college coach, and I saw the position at Snead State to be a great opportunity,” Ayers said. “I am excited about seeing where we are as a team, so that we can begin to prepare for the upcoming spring season. I am looking forward to becoming acquainted with the Snead family.”
Ayres already has a full to-do list prepared for the first few weeks as Snead’s volleyball coach.
“There is a lot that I want to accomplish in the first few weeks. I am anxious to meet with the returning players and to contact the recruits.”
In addition to coaching volleyball, Ayres teaches biology at Southside High School and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was named the Etowah County Teacher of the Year for 2010-2011.