Jefferson R-7 Girls Volleyball Rallying Around HC Ashleigh Nagel Who Survived Heart Attack Over the Summer

(FESTUS) The Jefferson girls volleyball team had to deal with a scary moment over the summer when their head coach Ashleigh Nagel unexpectedly suffered a heart attack.

Since then, Nagel has been released from the hospital and has been in rehab for a little over a month now. With Nagel unavailable to start the season coaching her squad, longtime assistant coach Tara Fish was given the interim head coaching duties. Through two matches, the Blue Jays are 2-0 under Fish with wins over Kingston and Seckman.

Coach Fish says the community and the team have rallied around coach Nagel and have found a way to show their love for her while playing in matches.

 
There are eight seniors for Jefferson including Ashley Edmond, who is top 3 on the team in kills, aces, and blocks, and Jenna Curtois, who is leading the team with 16 kills.

 
The other seniors for the Blue Jays are Alexis Armstrong, Gracie Fish, Maddie Fuller, Kendall Runzi, Heidi Hearst, and Macy Sample. There’s currently no timetable Nagel’s return. Jefferson girls volleyball will carry a 2-0 record into Tuesday’s home match against Ste. Genevieve.

Full Tara Fish Interview