University of New Orleans Volleyball Camp

Ashley Preston was named the 14th head coach in Privateer indoor volleyball history on June 29, 2021.

In 2023, Preston led the Privateers to their first conference tournament victory, a 3-2 decision against UIW. The Privateers ranked inside the top 100 nationally in digs per set for a second consecutive season with 15.08.

Preston coached Karen Cordero Barr who was in the top five in the Southland in kills and aces. Cordero was a Second Team All-Louisiana selection. Also, Lani Alleman finished in the top 10 in the Southland in digs as a true freshman.

2022 brought the fifth biggest win turnaround in the nation. The Privateers won 15 matches and had their best home start (9-0) in program history. The Privateers also had three Player of the Week awards (two offensive and one defensive).

Sheilah Purcell also broke the career mark for most digs per set in program history (4.67). As a team, the Privateers were 13th in the nation in digs per set at 17.04.

In her first season, Preston coached two all-conference members: Purcell and Sh'Diamond Holly. Purcell also achieved the third most digs per set in a season in program history.

Preston was most recently at Cal State Fullerton where she coached for five seasons. Most recently in 2019, Preston was Co-Coach of the Year in the Big West after leading the Titans to a six-win improvement from their 2018 campaign. Cal State Fullerton also finished in the top 25 nationally in digs per set with 17.44.

She coached Julia Crawford to a First Team All-Big West selection and Savahna Costello to Big West honorable mention. Costello ranked 13th individually in digs per set with 5.31.

Prior to Cal State Fullerton, Preston spent three years as Coppin State where she guided the Eagles to 40 wins. In her first season with the Maryland-based school (2012), Preston led Coppin State to their first conference tournament appearance in six years. In 2013, Preston led the Eagles to a then school record for wins in a season.

A 2008 graduate from Morgan State University, Preston spent three seasons as an assistant between Morgan State and Loyola-Maryland. Her first year as a head coach when she guided Spelman College for the 2011 season.

As a player, Preston was a three-time First Team All-MEAC selection and the school's record holder in total digs. Preston earned her bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Morgan State in 2008. She earned her master's in publications design from the University of Baltimore in 2011.

Teagan Symons was hired as a graduate assistant for the indoor volleyball program in the summer of 2024.

Symons has been enrolled at the University of New Orleans since 2021 and is a Marketing major with a 3.3 GPA. The Slidell native was the junior high head coach at First Baptist Christian since 2022. First Baptist went undefeated in district play in 2023 and claimed the district title without a loss for the first time in school history.

In addition during her young career, Symons has had coaching experience as a league beach coach at Pointbreak Beach Court in Slidell. Symons has also worked in the coaching realm at the club level with Pelican State where she coached kids from the age range of 13 to 15 years old. As a student-athlete, Symons was a four-year letter winner on the volleyball team at Slidell High School and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Symons resides in Slidell, La.

NEW ORLEANS– Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Tim Duncan announced today that Ryan Havice, AVCA DIII National Champion head coach, will join the University of New Orleans as the new head beach volleyball coach. Havice succeeds as the third head coach since the program's inception in 2015.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to #NOLAsTeam as our new head beach volleyball coach," said Duncan. "Havice has not only proven to be a winner, but his passion for building a championship culture aligns perfectly with our vision here on the Lakefront. I am confident in the success he will bring to our department."

"First, I want to thank Tim Duncan for this opportunity," said Havice. "His enthusiasm and vision for the future resonated with me and fueled my excitement to get started. I also want to express my gratitude to Coach Preston for her insights into the student-athlete experience at New Orleans, which were instrumental in my decision. I look forward to collaborating with her and the entire athletics staff."

Havice brings a wealth of experience at both the club and collegiate levels. In his tenure as head beach volleyball coach at Hendrix College from 2023 to 2024, he led the team to the AVCA DIII National Championship in 2023 and placed two Warriors on the DIII All-American team. His coaching background includes scheduling competitive matches against NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, and NAIA opponents.

"What impressed me most about Ryan is how he is a builder of culture and club programs. He is resourceful and knows the city of New Orleans very well," said Director of Volleyball Ashley Preston. "I'm excited to work alongside him, and I believe he will have great success here."

Prior to his role at Hendrix College, Havice served as the assistant indoor and beach volleyball coach at the College of San Mateo from 2020 to 2022. He was responsible for practice planning, recruiting, and overseeing beach volleyball activities.

In 2013, Havice founded the Breakwater Volleyball Club in Half Moon Bay, California, where he coached athletes of all ages in beach and indoor volleyball, emphasizing sportsmanship and a growth mindset. Under his leadership, the club grew substantially, expanding from two to ten teams over seven seasons.

Havice earned a bachelor's degree in American Studies from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in 2009, followed by a master's degree in Civic Leadership from Lipscomb University in 2013.