Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Volleyball Says Thank You to Blackman as She Steps Away from Program
3/1/2023 3:52:00 PM | Volleyball
Kohan adds Jess Aschenbrenner as assistant coach ahead of spring season
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State Volleyball Head Coach Emily Kohan announced Wednesday the departure of Assistant Coach and former Ram All-American Adrianna Blackman from her coaching staff as well as the addition of Jess Aschenbrenner as the newest assistant coach.
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Blackman steps down after four seasons on staff with the Colorado State, her alma mater where she was also an All-American setter and hitter for the Rams when she played from 2012 to 2015. In her playing career, Blackman (Culbert) won four Mountain West championships and was named the Mountain West player of the year and an All-American in her senior season.
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"I cannot thank Dri enough for all she has done for our program, both as an all-time great player and assistant coach. She is beloved by this community and team and will be greatly missed. We wish her, Elijah, Ellie and Major the best on this new adventure and look forward to having them cheer us on from Manhattan."
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Blackman has chosen to step down to remain close to her family as her husband Elijah has recently accepted a position with the Kansas State football program.
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In her four years of coaching, she led the Rams to two Mountain West titles and two post season berths. She has helped CSU to 17 Mountain West All-Conference Awards, including a program and Mountain West record six honorees in 2021. Blackman has also helped guide three AVCA All-Region honorees and All-American setter Katie Oleksak.
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"The CSU Ramily has continued to shape who I am as a person in a big way, from being a former Ram volleyball player to being an assistant coach here for the last four and a half years, I've gained a new place I can call home," Blackman said. "I am forever grateful for the people I've met and the lessons I've learned along the way. This community is truly one of a kind. Although it is a bittersweet goodbye, I am forever proud to be a Ram."
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Kohan announced the transition of the coaching staff to include former Santa Clara University Associate Head Coach Jess Aschenbrenner.
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"Jess is one of the top young coaches in the game and we are thrilled to have her join the Ramily," Kohan said. "She is constantly looking for ways to grow and analyze the game, and her technical background will be a tremendous asset for the program. Her experience with both recruiting and coaching at a high level will allow her to hit the ground running on day one."
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Aschenbrenner joins the Colorado State volleyball staff after a one-year stint at Santa Clara University. She also spent five years on staff as an assistant coach and director of operations at the University of Denver.
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"I am honored and excited to join the Colorado State Ramily," Aschenbrenner said. "I want to thank Head Coach Emily Kohan, the athletic department, and the Fort Collins community for the warm welcome. I am looking forward to working with this staff to build upon CSU Volleyball's legacy. Go Rams!"
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During her time with Denver, she helped the Pioneers to three regular-season Summit League championships, two Summit League tournament championships, and three NCAA tournament appearances. In 2021, Aschenbrenner was awarded the AVCA Thirty Under 30 award which honors up-and-coming coaching talent in the sport.
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Aschenbrenner began her coaching career in 2016 as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Colorado where she also played collegiate volleyball and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She went on to earn her Master of Business Administration from the University of Denver in 2020.
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The Rams will kick off their spring season March 9 in Greeley as Colorado State faces Northern Colorado at 4:30 p.m.
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Blackman steps down after four seasons on staff with the Colorado State, her alma mater where she was also an All-American setter and hitter for the Rams when she played from 2012 to 2015. In her playing career, Blackman (Culbert) won four Mountain West championships and was named the Mountain West player of the year and an All-American in her senior season.
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"I cannot thank Dri enough for all she has done for our program, both as an all-time great player and assistant coach. She is beloved by this community and team and will be greatly missed. We wish her, Elijah, Ellie and Major the best on this new adventure and look forward to having them cheer us on from Manhattan."
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Blackman has chosen to step down to remain close to her family as her husband Elijah has recently accepted a position with the Kansas State football program.
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In her four years of coaching, she led the Rams to two Mountain West titles and two post season berths. She has helped CSU to 17 Mountain West All-Conference Awards, including a program and Mountain West record six honorees in 2021. Blackman has also helped guide three AVCA All-Region honorees and All-American setter Katie Oleksak.
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"The CSU Ramily has continued to shape who I am as a person in a big way, from being a former Ram volleyball player to being an assistant coach here for the last four and a half years, I've gained a new place I can call home," Blackman said. "I am forever grateful for the people I've met and the lessons I've learned along the way. This community is truly one of a kind. Although it is a bittersweet goodbye, I am forever proud to be a Ram."
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Kohan announced the transition of the coaching staff to include former Santa Clara University Associate Head Coach Jess Aschenbrenner.
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"Jess is one of the top young coaches in the game and we are thrilled to have her join the Ramily," Kohan said. "She is constantly looking for ways to grow and analyze the game, and her technical background will be a tremendous asset for the program. Her experience with both recruiting and coaching at a high level will allow her to hit the ground running on day one."
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Aschenbrenner joins the Colorado State volleyball staff after a one-year stint at Santa Clara University. She also spent five years on staff as an assistant coach and director of operations at the University of Denver.
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"I am honored and excited to join the Colorado State Ramily," Aschenbrenner said. "I want to thank Head Coach Emily Kohan, the athletic department, and the Fort Collins community for the warm welcome. I am looking forward to working with this staff to build upon CSU Volleyball's legacy. Go Rams!"
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During her time with Denver, she helped the Pioneers to three regular-season Summit League championships, two Summit League tournament championships, and three NCAA tournament appearances. In 2021, Aschenbrenner was awarded the AVCA Thirty Under 30 award which honors up-and-coming coaching talent in the sport.
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Aschenbrenner began her coaching career in 2016 as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Colorado where she also played collegiate volleyball and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She went on to earn her Master of Business Administration from the University of Denver in 2020.
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The Rams will kick off their spring season March 9 in Greeley as Colorado State faces Northern Colorado at 4:30 p.m.
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