Ashley Zavala

Ashley Zavala has been named the new varsity volleyball coach at Grace Community School, Eddie Francis, GCS athletic director, announced on Monday.

“Coach Zavala has played a vital role in the success of the Grace Community volleyball program over the past six years,” Francis said in a statement. “We have watched her positively impact the lives of our student-athletes, teach life lessons on and off the court, improve the skill level of her players, coach winning teams that grow and develop throughout the season, and use their athletic platform to honor and glorify Christ.

“We are confident she is the right leader to take our program to new heights while serving as a positive Christian role model for all the student-athletes at Grace Community School.”

Zavala has served as Grace’s assistant varsity and head JV coach since 2019. She also has been a head coach of East Texas Alliance 1 Volleyball Club. She will graduate from UT Tyler with a Bachelor of Health Science degree with an emphasis in Physical Therapy in 2025. She played collegiate volleyball at the University of Central Arkansas.

“I am deeply grateful to my husband Nick for his constant encouragement and support and to Dr. (Jay) Ferguson, Coach Eddie Francis, and Coach Monica Bozeman for their trust and opportunity to lead this program,” Zavala said in a release. “It’s an honor to step into this role at Grace Community School. I’m committed to working tirelessly alongside these incredible athletes to build a culture of growth, passion, and success.

“As I step into this role, I recognize that being a coach is so much more than just teaching a sport. It’s about shaping young minds, fostering character, and creating a culture where our athletes can thrive — not only on the court but also in life. My goal is to promote a team culture that not only competes with heart but also demonstrates the values of living a Christ-centered life, teamwork, perseverance, and hard work. I am excited about what lies ahead and eager to see what we can accomplish together.”

Coach Zavala will lead the off-season program beginning in March and has a summer of activities planned for her players and teams.

She takes over Leo Scott, who after nine years at Grace, was hired as new volleyball coach at Tyler Legacy High School.