University of Alaska Anchorage Athletics

Former Seawolf Ashley Bates returns for her third season as the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team’s strength and conditioning coach in 2013.

A level 1 certified CrossFit trainer, she has been coaching athletes and clients at CrossFit Alaska since June 2011. The Phoenix, Ariz., native has excelled in CrossFit and Olympic lifting competitions, placing runner-up at both the Fairbanks Fitness Derby and CrossFit Alaska State Championship in 2012.

On the court, Bates was a two-year starter for the Seawolves, helping UAA to its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth as a senior in 2009. The former middle blocker came to Anchorage from Glendale (Ariz.) Community College, where she played in 2006-07.

Bates graduated from UAA in May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. In addition to her training activities, she works full-time at Anchorage Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic.