MINERAL AREA COLLEGE

Volleyball Coaching Staff

 

  Head Coach - Tim Copeland

    High School:  DeSoto (MO)

    College:         Jefferson College - AA  

 

 

Tim Copeland is entering his third season as the Head Coach for the Volleyball Cardinals. Tim's coaching career started in 1990 when he became a Student Assistant Coach at Jefferson College. The following year, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Volleyball Coach. He also took over the coaching responsibilities for the Jefferson Juniors, a USVBA club team.

While at Jefferson College, Tim had the chance to learn and develop under legendary coach Jo Ellen Stringer. Jo Ellen Stringer is the winningest college coach in America, and has lead Jefferson College to 24 NJCAA National Tournaments. In 1994, Tim left Jefferson College to take on the task of becoming the Head Coach at Missouri Baptist College (now University). When Tim entered Missouri Baptist, the team had a record of 3-43. After two short years, Tim had turned the program around ending the season with a 30-7 record.  In 2002, Tim decided to head back to Jefferson College to again take on roll as Assistant Coach.

Coach Copeland has high hopes for the upcoming season.  The Cardinals have been rolling since Coach Copeland's arrival, compiling a 56-38 mark.  “We singed some great girls this year. They are working well with the sophomores and we look to see great things from this group of student-athletes.”  Tim and his wife Julie live in DeSoto, and have three children Megan 10, Rachel 7, and Adam 4.

Coaching Career:

2005            Mineral Area College             Head Coach

2002-04       Jefferson College                   Assistant Coach

1994-2001   Missouri Baptist University     Head Coach

1990-93       Jefferson College                   Assistant Coach      

Click here to visit Tim Copeland's Coaching Profile Page

  Assistant Coach - Ashley Smith

    High School:  DeSoto (MO)

    College:         Jefferson College - AA

                         Southeast Missouri State University - BS - Art Education

 

 

Coach Smith is starting her third year as Assistant Coach at Mineral Area College.  Ashley is coming in with 10 years of competitive playing experience, including 4 at the collegiate level.  Smith started her career at Desoto High School developing her skills, attitude, and love of the game that helped move her on to the next level. She earned a scholarship to Jefferson College, where sheplayed middle and outside positions for two years. Throughout her career at Jeffco she played with and faced some of the best volleyball players in the nation, giving her the experience and practice to eventually lead her to a Division I scholarship.  Ashley signed at Southest Missouri State University and competed for 2 years playing the middle and right side positions.

Volleyball has been a major part of Smith's life, much like a job for the past eleven years, and she has truly loved every minute of it.  Ashley graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in Art Education, and serves as a Middle School art teacher at DeSoto.  Ashley also coaches 7th grade basketball at DeSoto along with her coaching duties at Mineral Area College.  Smith currently resides in Park Hills.

Click here to visit Ashley Smith's Coaching Profile Page

 

  Assistant Coach - Jennifer Mills

    High School:  Taylorville, IL

    College:         SIU - Edwardsville  BS-Physical Education 

 

 

Coach Mills is entering her third season as Assistant Coach for the Cardinals program.  Jenn got her start playing volleyball in elementary school, and continued playing at the high school level in Illinois.  Jenn earned a scholarship to Division II Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  During those five years of playing, she spent her free time serving as as coach for two different USVBA club volleyball teams in the Edwardsville area.

Jenn graduated from SIUE with a BS in Kinesiology and Health Education.  After spending three years teaching and coaching in Mascoutah, Illinois, Jenn is entering her third year at North County High School in Bonne Terre.  At NCHS, she teaches physical education as well as health.  She serves as the Head Girls Track Coach, as well as the J.V. Volleyball Coach. Jenn loves being a part of the Cardinal program, where she takes a big part in recruiting. Jenn and her husband Zack have a son, Zimri, and reside in Park Hills.

Click here to visit Jennifer Mills Coaching Profile Page