Ashfield named MCAC men's volleyball coach of the year

Dan Ashfield has taken the Assiniboine College Cougars to a new level.
They're as close as they've ever been to contending for the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference men's volleyball title.
In just his second year as head coach, Ashfield was voted coach of the year by his colleagues around the conference.
"Ashfield's knowledge from his previous coaching roles and playing within the MCAC and U Sports leagues, has translated directly back into the team's growth," said AC athletics manager Lindsay McLaughlin-Webb.
"Looking past the success of the team this year, Dan has created a team environment with contagious energy, they feed off each other in the big moments and are such an entertaining team to watch compete."
The Cougars won just five matches the year before Ashfield took over. They repeated their record in his rookie season but improved to 8-10, including a few big wins over the CCAA nationals-bound Canadian Mennonite University Blazers.
"He has high ambitions for the group and the future of the program, he saw the challenges that Assiniboine faces as an institution with shorter programs but was up to the task," McLaughlin-Webb said.
"His respect for the game and those around him can be seen directly reflected in his team and how they carry themselves.
"We are extremely proud of the growth of this program and with Dan at the helm, we have no doubt it is only going to become an even stronger force to be reckoned with."
The MCAC all-conference teams and player of the year will be announced Friday, before the opening game of the final between the Blazers and Providence University College Pilots at 6 p.m.