Ashland University director of athletics Bill Goldring announced that the university has hired Cassandra Dixon as its head women’s volleyball coach.

Dixon has enjoyed success at numerous levels of college athletics. She played volleyball at Cleveland State and has been an assistant coach at Akron (2008-2010), Ashland (2006-2008), Kent State (2005) and Cleveland State (1997-1998). This is the second head coaching stint of Dixon’s career. She was the head coach at Walsh from 1999-2004.

“We’re excited to have Cass join our staff as our head volleyball coach,” Goldring said. “She brings a wealth of experience to the position and will have a great recruiting base in Ohio. I’ve known her for quite some time and I’m confident she will do an outstanding job with our volleyball program. We had great interest in this position.”

At Walsh, Dixon went 163-43 (.791) and guided the Cavaliers to two American Mideast Conference South Division championships (2002, 2003). Under Dixon, Walsh won three NAIA regional titles (2001-2003), went to three NAIA national championship tournaments (2001-2003) and made one NAIA Elite Eight appearance (2003). She was the AMC and Region IV Coach of the Year twice (2002, 2003). She had six student-athletes recognized as NAIA Academic All-Americans. The 2001 team earned the National Tournament Sportsmanship, “Champions of Character” award.

Dixon is also familiar with the AU volleyball program. She was an assistant coach in 2006 when the Eagles won the only GLIAC championship in school history. That team won a regional title and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. AU went 23-10 and finished fifth at the NCAA Championships. In 2007, the Eagles had a 26-6 record and were invited to the NCAA regional tournament.

“I’m very excited about joining the Ashland family,” Dixon said. “I think this is a great opportunity. Ashland is an excellent school that plays in an outstanding conference.”

The new AU head coach is active with the Cleveland Volleyball Company. She’s been with that organization since 1996 as a coach and the recruiting coordinator.

In 2009, Dixon led the 16 open team to a 25th overall finish in the nation. She was the camp and specialty clinic coordinator.

Dixon has been the head coach and an assistant coach for the 16-, 17- and 18-year-old age groups. She is currently the recruiting coordinator for the 15-18-year-old teams in the Ohio Valley Region of USA Volleyball.

“I think the experiences I’ve had in recruiting, both good and bad, will help,” replied Dixon, when asked about recruiting at AU. “We want to focus on the Ohio student-athlete. I think there are many top quality student-athletes in this area that can compete athletically and academically. I’m anxious for them to see what Ashland University has to offer, academically and athletically.”

Dixon is a 1998 graduate of Cleveland State. While playing for the Vikings, she was named to the GTE Academic All-Region Team (1996). She was a team captain and was selected as CSU’s most valuable player (1996, 1997). Dixon also earned most outstanding athlete laurels (1996, 1997) at Cleveland State.

Dixon and her husband, Troy, reside in Lodi, Ohio, with their children, Graham, 7 and Marin, 5.