Kuhn Steps Down As Eagle Head Volleyball Coach

On Friday (Jan. 30) afternoon, Ashland University Director of Athletics Al King announced the resignation of head volleyball coach Katie Kuhn.
 
"I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the Ashland volleyball program," said Kuhn, the ninth head volleyball coach in program history since its inception in 1968. "Ashland University is a special place and one that has positively impacted my life. From being a graduate assistant to being the head coach, it has been an honor to be part of this volleyball program. 
 
"It was not an easy or light decision to step down, and I want to thank Al King and the administration for the opportunity and trust in me while leading the program. I would especially like to thank my staff and the young women for impacting my life so positively.  Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to my family and loved ones for the support, encouragement and belief throughout the years. I look forward to the next part of my life journey."
 
Said King, "Katie brought discipline and accountability to our volleyball program. Our student-athletes excelled in the classroom, on the court and on campus as solid citizens. She was an excellent fit for our university as she lived out our mission on a daily basis. I can't thank her enough for her time and effort in building a firm foundation for AU volleyball.
 
"She made no excuses, put in a full day's work day after day and held everyone in her program to the highest standard. That's a pretty good method of operation."
 
Hannah Zuchowski, the program's associate head volleyball coach who has been with Kuhn each of the last three seasons, has been named the Eagles' interim head coach.
 
In three seasons at the Ashland helm, Kuhn was 54-35 (.607), winning two Great Midwest Athletic Conference division titles and making three conference tournament appearances along the way.
 
Kuhn returned to Ashland after serving as the program's graduate assistant in 2009-10.
 
In between Eagle stints, she was the head volleyball coach at Ohio Northern from 2020-22, going 51-19 (.729), with highlights including Ohio Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2021. That Polar Bear squad was ranked as high as No. 8 in the country.
 
For those accomplishments, Kuhn was named 2021 Coach of the Year by both the OAC and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in Region 7.
 
Prior to becoming ONU head coach, she was an assistant coach at her alma mater for nine seasons.