91��Ƭ

Proof that Ashleigh Yost is the face of the 91��Ƭ women’s club volleyball team is there for all to see. Literally. The tower sign on the Hampton Campus, just off Interstate 64, features a picture of Yost to promote the team.

“I kind of like it. I think it’s cool,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to represent an up-and- coming program.”

The women’s volleyball team is in its fourth year, and this is Yost’s third season. Last year, she suffered a broken ankle and missed the last few matches of the season. She didn’t want her career to end like that.

“I can’t go out like that. That sucks,” she said.

Yost, a middle hitter who graduated from Smithfield High School, went through extensive physical therapy and is back on the court, but it hasn’t been easy.

“It’s definitely scary still going out there, and it is very painful sometimes,” she said. “But I’m out there because I want to be and I’ve been doing it for three years. What’s one more season?”

This will be her last at 91��Ƭ. After this semester, she’ll transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University to study architectural engineering. She’s studying Liberal Arts at 91��Ƭ but will finish her associate degree at VCU.

Her final season is off to a great start with three-set victories over Mid-Atlantic Christian University (N.C.) and Anne Arundel Community College (Md.).

“We have very, very solid girls this year, girls who are very well-rounded,” Yost said, adding just about everyone has played travel volleyball for several years. “We’re a lot more consistent.”

Yost and Berkeley Stenger (Peninsula Catholic High School) are the only returners, but adjusting to the new players has been fairly easy because they are so talented. The coaching staff — head coach Manny Miguel and assistant Matt Coleman — also is new. That was another adjustment for Yost because the previous coach had worked with her since she was 16.

“But we love Manny and getting to know him and Matt,” Yost said, adding she’s glad she came back for another year. “Manny’s a really great coach, and so is Matt.”

The Gators have a big test Saturday against Patrick & Henry, and Yost is looking forward to the matchup.

“Last year, we were neck and neck with them,” she said. “We always lost, but we would be very, very close. So that’s going to be a very interesting game.”

She also said it will be great to see how the Gators fare against other opponents they have played in the past.

“I think as of right now, we definitely have a leg up on them, just with the girls that we have right now,” Yost said. “Their volleyball IQ is just out of this world.”

Win or lose, Yost is excited about the season and likes where the program is headed.

“I think that there is a bunch of potential there,” she said.

One positive already is the number of students showing an interest in playing for the Gators. While there are just seven players on the roster, several others are practice players who attend the workouts to improve their skills for next year and help this year’s players.

“The more girls we get out here, the more the program is going to grow,” Yost said. “It’s all about getting the name out there.”

In Yost’s case, getting her face out there, too.

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