GEOGHEGAN: Fifth-straight district title in tow, Ashman eying another state crown
WEST GOSHEN – It’s just about impossible to mistake Greg Ashman for any other high school coach.
And in volleyball circles, the Bishop Shanahan mentor is an omnipresent figure, and it isn’t just about his unique appearance. Sure, he’s the guy wearing his signature khaki shorts, sandals and Hawaiian shirt on game days, but that’s just on the surface. There is so much more.
Ashman’s program is, to be sure, one of the most successful outfits in the history of Chester County sports. And you could make a good argument that the Eagles are, right now, the area’s most dominant program, regularly winning district titles and vying for state crowns year after year. During his 16-year-reign at Shanahan, he built the program into a consistent statewide powerhouse.
“Greg’s an icon,” said senior star Cara Shultz. “I think people wish they were Greg.”
On Thursday at West Chester East, Ashman’s Eagles captured their fifth consecutive District 1 crown, topping an excellent Unionville squad 3-0 in an All-Ches-Mont final. It was Shanahan’s eighth district title under Ashman, and it comes on the heels of the program’s 13th conference crown since Ashman’s rookie season in 2004.
How is this for domination: the Eagles have now won 94 district matches in a row dating back to 2015. And Ashman’s overall career record at Shanahan is 330-47, which is an out-of-this-stratosphere winning percentage of .875.
“I’ve been around (Ashman) since I was about 10, with my older sisters being in the program,” Shultz said. “He always keeps his composure, and it definitely helps keep us from getting frustrated.”
Senior setter Mia Caporellie agreed: “It’s a blessing to play for coach. He’s a man of few words but he is a great coach. He is very strategic. He knows what to say and what to do at the right times.”
And that calm demeanor is not an act. It is a reflection of Ashman’s personality, and his teams pick up on it and play that way, very rarely panicking or getting flustered.
“I’ve learned to live life and enjoy every moment,” Ashman acknowledged.
“I hope it carries over to the players because they need that.”
How iconic is Ashman at Shanahan? Well, there was an Ashman look-alike at the end of the Shanahan bench on Thursday. Former Eagles’ and Immaculata defensive specialist, Molly Truitt, showed up dressed up like her former coach for Halloween, and the costume included a bald cap, a paint-on beard and the requisite floral shirt and flip-flops.
“I love Molly to death and it was a great compliment for somebody to do that,” Ashman said.
For the record, Ashman wears a Hawaiian Shirt during matches to honor his deceased Grandfather, Robert J. Ashman.
“He gave me my first Hawaiian shirt – it was actually willed to me,” he pointed out.
“I only wear it in high school matches. I don’t for club matches or practices. It’s just a little bit special for me.”
The run that Shanahan is currently on – with three state semifinal appearances in the previous three seasons, including back-to-back berths in the state final – isn’t as much a high-water mark as it is a continuation of sustained excellence.
The 54-year-old Downingtown resident guided the Eagles to the 2009 PIAA State Title, and has been chasing number two ever since. It’s kind of his personal ‘White Whale.’
“When I look at the whole 16 years, in the beginning it was Villa Maria, and we eventually got over that hump,” he recalled. “Then it was Hempfield and then Parkland. We’ve gotten over those little hurdles here and there and we haven’t looked back.
“Now we’re hoping this season we can get by North Allegheny and never look back.”
In both 2017 and 2018, Shanahan ran up against superpower North Allegheny and had to settle for the runner-up trophy. Right now, the Tigers are the state’s number one ranked team, with Shanahan at No. 2. Both are currently unbeaten and favorites to meet again with state supremacy on the line.
“As much as it was a great thing we were second in the state the last two seasons, I think we all really want it this year,” Caporellie said.
“I would all love to win the state title because we know it would be special for Greg,” Shultz added. “The players that left last season were such a big part of our program but we have such a deep bench and so many have really stepped up.”
It’s true. Four Division I college recruits graduated from the 2018 squad: Julia Thomas (Iona), Jules Gallagher (American), Alysa Wright (Bryant) and Michaela Devlin (Sacred Heart). But a year later, here is Shanahan, once again the unquestioned team to beat in the eastern portion of the state.
“If you told me back in July that we would be undefeated and win a fifth district title in a row with what we lost last year, I would have told you that you’re crazy,” Ashman admitted. “You don’t lose that every year and turn around and come back with this kind of power.
“This is a totally different team. And what they are doing on the court is beautiful to watch. It’s a testament to the hard work they give every day, and the way that they listen and want to learn. It’s also a validation to the coaching staff. All the homework we put into getting ready for matches, they absorb it and actually come out here and do it.”
