Volleyball Adds Big Name Assistant Coaches

	Ed Tolentino comes to Madonna from nearby University of Michigan one of four NCAA Division I coaching jobs in his career.

8/1/2006

LIVONIA, Mich. -- Madonna University head volleyball coach Jerry Abraham announced the addition of two assistant coaches to the Crusader bench in 2006, including one very familiar face.

Former Crusader first team All-American setter Ashley Frost has been added to the staff as a graduate assistant coach while former University of Michigan and Michigan State University assistant coach Ed Tolentino has been added as Abraham's top-assistant.

Tolentino replaces longtime assistant Tim DeBeliso who retired following 12-seasons on the MU bench and several more alongside Abraham at Bishop Borgess High School.

"Replacing Tim was a very difficult task," Abraham said.  " In fact, you can't replace someone that has been a part of this for so long and is such a personal friend.  We have coached a long time together and that is something you can't replace, but with that in mind, I couldn't be happier to find Ed."

Tolentino comes to Madonna from the University of Michigan where he spent the 2005 season as an assistant coach for the Wolverines.  Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, Tolentino served as an assistant coach at Michigan State in 2004, assisting with all aspects of the program including scouting and technology.  Prior to his stint with the Spartans, Tolentino served as first assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University.  With Tolentino on staff, EMU qualified for two MAC Tournaments and posted a record of 48-19, including a 27-7 mark in 2002.

Most recently, Tolentino served as head tier trainer with the Premier Volleyball Organization helping their 18s qualify for nationals. Tolentino also spent six seasons at Oakland University, serving as head coach from 1999-2002 after working as an assistant coach from 1997-98. In addition, he has worked for USA Volleyball within the state of Michigan and with the Junior National Team High Performance camp tryouts. A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy (1997), Tolentino received his bachelor's degree in sports medicine in 1997. He also attended Macomb College from 1991-94, where he played on the Macomb volleyball team, serving as team captain his final year.

	One of the most decorated volleyball players in MU history, Ashley Frost returns to the bench as an assistant coach in 2006.

"Ed is an excellent coach and person," commented Abraham.  "He relates to players at the college level very well and like coach DeBeliso, is very sound technically, understands the game at a high level while able to adjust to the players at all levels." 

Frost is no stranger the Madonna volleyball fans having quarterbacked the team for the past three seasons.  A four-year letterwinner, Frost which culminated last season after leading the team to the NAIA ‘Final Four’ and #3 national ranking. Frost was named a first team All-American after posting 2,203 assists.

On September 10, 2005, Frost set the school career assist record in a home victory over Daeman College when she recorded her 5,146th career helper. Her magical senior season continued, helping the Crusaders to a perfect 40-0 regular season record on her way to conference and regional Setter-of-the-Year honors.

In four years on the court, Frost led Madonna to four WHAC championships and four trips to the NAIA National Tournament, including two “Final Four” appearances.  As a junior Frost posted 2,006 assists, good for tops in the WHAC and fourth in the nation while finishing second in the country in assists per game with 13.1. She reached double-digit assists in every game, eclipsing the 30-assist mark all but two times and reaching 40 or more assists 29 times. She also put together six matches of 60 plus assists including a string of four straight in the postseason and a season high 69 assists versus Cornerstone, November 20, 2004.

"We are thrilled to be in the position to keep Ashley involved in our program," said Abraham. "Being an All-American and one of the best setters in the country, she will be invaluable to tutor our young setters this season.  She can relate to them well and is very technically sound.  I have watched her coach in the club and she gets her point across well and has a lot to offer as far as her experience at the position."

It took Abraham months to name his two assistants for the 2006 campaign which begins August 16th with the annual Alumni Game at MU.

"It took so long because I wanted to be sure we found the best possible coaches available," stated Abraham.  "I can't stress enough how difficult it is to find someone to fill coach DiBeliso's shoes, but when Ed became available it was a perfect fit and we couldn't be happier to have him as part of the family."

"With Ashley it was a matter of her making the decision to jump in and do this," Abraham said.  "The offer to Ashley has been on the table for some time, and I am glad she decided to accept and will stay a part of the program on a daily basis."

"I think our staff now from top to bottom with the addition of Ed and Ashley and with Erin (Shrewsbury) and Brian (McClain) returning is the best staff in the country."

The new staff will take the bench for the first time when the Crusaders take on Wayne State University in the Activities Center on Thursday, August 24th at 7:00 pm.

Contact:
Matt Fancett, Assistant Athletics Director - Media Relations/Promotions
(734) 432-5610
mfancett@madonna.edu