Colonels’ Hillyard Signs To Play Volleyball At Radford

Posted: April 18, 2015
By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — After giving everything she had to developing the James Wood volleyball team over the last seven years, it’s only natural that Jill Couturiaux — who resigned as Colonels head coach in November to spend more time with her family — is going to miss being around the team.

Fortunately for Couturiaux, she had one final team function Friday at James Wood High School’s library. And as she made clear in remarks to the an audience of about 40 people, the chance to celebrate the career of Ashley Hillyard is about as special a way to go out as you can get.

James Wood’s versatile setter and hitter signed with NCAA Division I Radford University on Friday, where she will be a preferred walk-on her first two years and have the opportunity to earn athletic scholarship money her final two years. About 25 percent of Hillyard’s tuition next year will be covered by an academic scholarship.

“I’ve coached Ashley more than any other player I’ve ever worked with,” said Couturiaux, describing a relationship that dates back to when Hillyard played for Couturiaux’s Potomac Elite Volleyball Club team in eighth grade, to the crowd. “I’m so proud of you.

“Ashley has set the bar high for those who will follow in her footsteps [at James Wood]. ... She’s a very athletic kid, a very smart kid. She gets the game, she loves the game, and she makes you want to play the game of volleyball. You deserve this for all that you’ve given to the James Wood community, for all that you’ve given to your teammates, and for all you’ve given to me.”

Hillyard is the second James Wood player to sign with a Division I school this year. Katie Houser signed for a full scholarship with Notre Dame in the fall.

After Hillyard signed her paperwork, it was clear that everyone in the audience felt similarly to Couturiaux based on the numerous requests people made to have their pictures taken with Hillyard, who helped James Wood go 26-5 and advance to the Group 4A state title match in the fall.

The requests to have a moment with Hillyard were still coming when she paused to take a few minutes to talk about Radford, a school that she verbally committed to as a junior in December of 2013. Radford went 24-8 overall last year. The Highlanders also went 12-2 in the Big South Conference and advanced to the conference tournament championship game.

“I love their program,” said Hillyard, who first visited the Radford campus the summer after her sophomore year. “They’re a really winning volleyball program. Marci Jenkins, the coach, is really good, and I think that she can really help me improve my game. I think it’s going to be a great experience.”

Hillyard said former Colonel Kelby Jackson, a sophomore libero for the Highlanders, was particularly helpful by answering questions about Radford before Hillyard made her decision. Sixteen months have passed since Hillyard made her verbal, but she never really considered going to another school.

One of the things that’s always stood out about Hillyard is her ability to play multiple positions, and play them at a high level. Splitting her time between setter and outside hitter this year, Hillyard — The Winchester Star Volleyball Player of the Year in 2013 — finished with an area-best 419 assists and was third with 212 kills.

The 5-foot-8 Hillyard said she’s looking forward to focusing mostly on setting at the college level.

“It’s definitely my favorite position to play,” said Hillyard, who was an All-4A North Region second team selection and a first team Conference 21 and Northwestern District pick in 2014. “Setting for me, I have complete control almost over the game. It’s a lot of strategy, and that’s what I think I like most about volleyball.”

Hillyard did say she might put some work in at defensive specialist as well, a fitting statement for an unselfish player who was always willing to do anything for the Colonels. Hillyard was doing that before she even enrolled at James Wood, serving as the varsity volleyball team manager in eighth grade for Couturiaux.

“She puts her whole heart into the game of volleyball,” Couturiaux said. “She brings a high level of intensity to the sport, and makes it exciting to watch. Wherever she’s needed, she’s going to work hard to fulfill any role that is asked of her.”

Hillyard — who is undecided on a major but may study biology — said it’s difficult to leave James Wood behind, but the future is exciting thanks to the work that coaches like Couturiaux and Hillyard’s Eastern Panhandle Volleyball Club coach, Shawn Martz, have put in with her.

“It’s kind of sad that today marks the end of my James Wood volleyball career,” Hillyard said. “But I’m excited about the beginning of my Radford career.”

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow on Twitter @WinStarSports1