By Kyle Coppola
Meet East Ridge High School’s Rising Volleyball Star
Ashlyn Crane
Ashlyn Crane is ready to again lead the East Ridge High School Knights, one of the best volleyball programs in Lake County.
Ashlyn, who has been playing since third grade, gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman. Then last year, as a sophomore, she co-captained a Knights team that made it to the district championship before falling short against Lake Brantley.
Playing varsity as a freshman was a challenge, but Ashlyn didn’t have to go through it alone.
“I have been playing volleyball with Breylan Fairley since the third grade,” Ashlyn says. “We both were able to feel comfortable our freshman year playing varsity with all the upper classmen. She and I have a great chemistry on and off of the court.”
According to Ashlyn, their closeness is due to head coach Mayra Cuebas.
“The entire team works together incredibly well and that’s due to coach Cuebas and all the girls on the team who work so hard,” Ashlyn says.
A strong work ethic is ingrained in Ashlyn, who played with and learned from eight seniors last year, including Nayelis Cabello, who received a volleyball scholarship to the University of Louisville.
“Playing with those girls was amazing,” Ashlyn says. “They made me a better player but also helped me come out of my shell. I am a quiet person, but volleyball has really helped me become more extroverted. That has had a positive impact on the way I play on the court. It has also helped me off the court.”
Ashlyn is the oldest of David and Erin Crane’s three children. Her younger sister, Avery, plays volleyball. Her brother, Myles, plays football.
Ashlyn, who’s weighted GPA is a 4.5, is involved with FCA and The Spirit Club at East Ridge High School. She adores New Wave Christian Church in Clermont, which has provided a guiding light for her. Ashlyn is also involved with her Christian Youth Group called Reverb.
Ashlyn also plays travel volleyball with Top Select out of Orlando.
“I love traveling around the country and seeing different places,” Ashlyn says. “I am so thankful to my parents for the support. They have a lot going on with three children and as the oldest I try to be the best role model I possibly can for them.”
Her advice to younger players?
“Don’t be afraid of leadership and surround yourself with people who give you confidence,” Ashlyn says. “I like to write a Bible verse on my arm before every game and that gives me strength to go out and perform my best.”
“All you can do is try your hardest and if you fail, get back up and try again. Eventually, it will pay off.”
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
