A former Russellville High School volleyball player has been named the new head coach of the Lady Panthers.
Ashley Barker, who is the school nurse at Stevenson Elementary School, was announced as the team’s newest head coach on Wednesday. She has already been holding open gyms this spring.
Barker played for the Lady Panthers from 2003-06. Among her coaches were Rick Graham and Jerry Thweatt. Last season Thweatt returned to fill in as head coach until a permanent successor could be named.
“He doesn’t want to be head coach, but he has agreed to help me coach the team this year,” says Barker gratefully.
The daughter of Sherlene Barker and Jeffrey Barker, Coach Barker earned her nursing degree from South College in Nashville.
She has two sons in the Russellville Schools. Landon Bibb is a junior at RHS. Preston Hines is in kindergarten at Stevenson.
"I am a dedicated and compassionate nurse, recently graduating from nursing school and eager to begin my journey in healthcare. As a proud Russellville High School alumni and former volleyball player, I have deep roots in the community." said Ashley, "Currently, I serve as a school nurse at Stevenson, where I am committed to promoting the health and well-being of students.
“Beyond my career, I am a proud mother of two boys—one a junior in high school and the other just starting kindergarten. Balancing family and my passion for nursing has been a rewarding journey, and I look forward to making a positive impact in the lives of the students I serve."
Coach Barker would welcome more girls who will be in fifth through twelfth grades to come to open gym and to learn more about volleyball. They are held at Jim Young Gymnasium Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5;30 p.m.
For information, contact her at Ashley.barker@russellville.kyschools.us .