NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Ashlynn Nuckols, the all-time leader in wins in Norwich University volleyball program history, has announced she will be stepping down to pursue other career opportunities.

Nuckols is set to embark on a new chapter in her career, having accepted the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance & Business position at the University of New England, a Div. III institution in Biddeford, Maine.

The second coach in the history of the volleyball program and the longest tenured, Nuckols spent 12 seasons on the sidelines, amassing 115 victories with 47 coming in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.

Nuckols carried multiple titles during her time at Norwich, including Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance.  She aided significantly with game management procedures, and previously spearheaded the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

"Ashlynn's departure is a loss that will be felt deeply within our department, as well as across the campus, and throughout our league," said Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics.  "Ashlynn started her coaching career here at Norwich, and ran a quality volleyball program while also contributing to the department in innumerable ways.  As our Senior Woman Administrator, Assistant AD for Compliance, and Game Management Coordinator during my time working with her, Ashlynn put in countless hours outside of coaching.  She was everyone's go-to for questions, advice, and favors, small and large. Ashlynn was always willing to help, understanding the importance of being a valued and thoughtful colleague, and always knowing it was for the benefit of our student-athletes.  I speak on behalf of all of her friends at Norwich University when I say that we wish her all the best as she moves on to a role ideally suited to her career goals.  She will be greatly missed, and I want to extend a very sincere thank you to Ashlynn for all she has done here at Norwich."

Over her 12-year stint, Nuckols saw multiple All-Conference performers don the maroon and gold.  Kathryn Farnum '21, a GNAC First Team All-Conference recipient in 2021, hails as one of the greatest to take the hardwood, ranking first in kills (943) and points (1,088.5).  Nuckols also coached Brianna Dawson '20, the all-time leader in digs (1,175), as well as Sarah Farnum '23, who sits second in assists (2,223), and Michele Zummo '20, who is second in kills (733).

"I would like to thank Ed (Hockenbury), Tony (Mariano) and all the Norwich athletic department on an amazing 12 years at NU," said Nuckols.  "I wish everyone the best of luck next year in their seasons!"

Under Nuckols, the Cadets made five trips to the postseason and posted multiple 15-win campaigns.  The 2021 team posted nine-straight victories at point in the season, the second-longest winning streak in program history, while the 2022's 9-1 record at home was the best of any Cadet volleyball team.  The 2019 team set 17 program records while making a run to the conference playoffs.  She enjoyed her 100th career coaching victory in 2022, in a convincing 3-0 sweep of Curry College.

Nuckols oversaw eight All-Conference recipients between six different players, and her athletes were also stalwarts in the classroom.  23 different players landed on the GNAC All-Academic Team 47 times, and eight Cadets also earned spots on the CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District Team throughout the years.

Before joining Norwich, Nuckols served as the top assistant for the women's volleyball program at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.  She helped the team to an impressive 29-9 record in 2011, qualifying for the NCAA Div. III Women's Volleyball Tournament.

Nuckols also served stints as an assistant at Austin Peay State and Shenandoah.  As a student-athlete, she was a two-time All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honoree.

Nuckols is a 2009 graduate of Davis & Elkins College, and holds a master's in Health and Human Performance from Austin Peay State, as well as a master's degree in Business Administration from Norwich.

A national search for Nuckols's successor is underway.