GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Head coaches Danielle Marante and Jason Morris have selected Amber Weber as the graduate assistant coach for the Tusculum University women's volleyball and beach volleyball programs ahead of the 2020-21 season.
"I am very thankful to have the opportunity to be a graduate assistant at Tusculum University," said Weber. "I have been coached by both Danielle and Jason and tremendously respect them both as mentors and coaches. I was lucky enough to be trained by Jason from such a young age. He is one of the main reasons I got to live out my dream as a college athlete and now as a graduate assistant."
Weber was a three-year standout for the Marshall University women's volleyball team as a libero/defensive specialist, netting two Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors. She played in all 87 matches for the Herd, missing only four sets in the span (all during her sophomore year). The Ocala, Florida native owns the Marshall career digs per set record (4.05), as well as the top-two season marks (5.05 in 2018 and 4.93 in 2019). Weber's 545 digs in 2018 are the second-most in Marshall history, while the 498 digs in 2019 are sixth-best. Her junior year number was good enough to become just the fifth player for the Herd to reach the 500-dig plateau. Weber's combined 1,043 digs over her last two seasons are the second-most in Herd history for a two-year stretch.
In total, Weber is credited with 1,398 digs in her collegiate career, while her 1,272 digs at Marshall rank her seventh all-time in MU history. She finished her career with 67 double-digit dig matches with 25 reaching 20 and five totaling at least 30. Her career ended with 31-straight matches registering double-digit digs, including her entire senior campaign. More athletic accolades for Weber include: two years spent as team captain, three all-tournament team honors (Bowling Green, Hampton Inn Rambler Challenge, and Morehead State Invitational), and the team's Hard Hat Award in 2018. Academically, she was named to the Dean's List and the President's List, while also participating in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Pre-Dental Club, and the Student Nurse Association.
"We are so excited to have Amber as a part of our staff," said Marante. "The knowledge and experience she brings to the table, as well as her training mindset, are huge assets to any program. She will be an excellent mentor and coach for our players here at TU."
Prior to Marshall, Weber spent her freshman season at the University of South Florida, appearing in 23 matches. She recorded 126 digs as a defensive specialist, including four double-digit matches with the Bulls. Weber was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll and was a member of the USF SAAC in her lone year.
At the high school level, she aided Trinity Catholic in becoming the 4A state runner-up by contributing 444 digs during her senior campaign.
Weber also excelled as a member of the Ocala Power United Club (led by Morris) and qualified for the USAV national tournament three times. She also coached at the Florida club and at the River Cities Volleyball Club in West Virginia.
"Anytime you can add someone to your program that makes everyone around them better, you're moving in the right direction," said Morris. "I have been fortunate enough to coach and train Amber since she was 13-years-old. She's a relentless worker and I am excited to see how she can help our athletes excel. She makes our program better."
Outside of athletics, Weber interned at CrossFit Huntington this spring and collected clinical nursing experience at the Cabell Huntington Hospital during her junior year. She has volunteered at numerous hospitals, elementary schools, and Habitat for Humanity.
Weber graduated from Marshall University in the Spring of 2020 with a health science degree and was named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll all three years with the Herd. Weber holds certifications in CDC ethical decision-making in public health, CDC data cleaning, and AMA digital marketing.
"I am excited to assist both Jason and Danielle in helping young athletes achieve their goals, just like they both helped me," continued Weber. "I look forward to growing and learning under their guidance. I am thrilled to be a part of Tusculum Volleyball and apply the skills they both have embedded in me to help continue the vision they have for the indoor and beach volleyball programs."
