New assistant volleyball coach: Jacqueline Cason

On Aug. 22, head coach Tommy Harold notified his coaching staff that the Nicholls State volleyball team had hired Jacqueline Cason to be an assistant coach.

Cason’s addition to the program came after former assistant coach, Kindra Gillen, accepted an assistant coaching position at Liberty University.

Cason said that Gillen’s decision to take the new job was based on her new family.

“I think it was a combination of things,” Cason said. “She got married in May, so her husband was out of state. They found a place they could both go to. It was a better home situation.”

Cason attended the University of Texas at El Paso and majored in mechanical engineering. She was a five-year redshirt member of the university’s volleyball team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

As a volleyball player for the University of Texas at El Paso, Cason played right side outside and said she will use her veteran leadership to mentor the young Colonels.

“Coach Tommy Harold has me focusing on the outside blockers, making sure that they get better range with hitting and more efficient with their blocking,” Cason said.

After her college campaign ended, Cason became the head junior varsity and assistant varsity volleyball coach at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Ky. She was a part of a team that captured the school’s first Kentucky state title in 13 years.

Stephanie Tobison, a senior outside hitter from Carol Streams, Ill., said that Cason gives a lot feedback on each play.

“She really has a lot of input for us and gives us a lot of feedback on everything,” Tobison said. “Every single play that we do, she always has something to add, which helps us learn more and be more active in the learning process.”

Despite Coach Gillen’s departure, Tobison is thankful for the addition of Coach Cason.

“We’re extremely grateful to have Jacqueline with us and she’s really made an impact on our team and our chemistry and everything like that,” Tobison said.

Alexa Perry, a senior libero and defensive specialist from Norwalk, Ohio, also mentioned the expertise of Coach Cason.

Perry said, “She was big hitter, so I think she’s really going to help out with our hitters and our block.”
Cason looks to add to the volleyball team and help lead the program to conference play at the end of the 2017 season.