What is a phrase or a piece of advice that you try to live your life by?  
Be the good you want to see in the world.

What attracted you to UH Hilo?  
I've been coming to the Big Island almost every year with my family ever since I was little, so it felt natural to want to go here because it feels like a second home.

Tell us a little bit about your hometown and where you grew up. What did you like to do when you were young?
I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I love it there and I'm sure all my friends get tired of me saying how much I love it. In the winters I would go sledding on the snow berms around my neighborhood, or go ice skating at different lakes around town. Alaska is the most beautiful place and I recommend going at least once to experience all of what it has to offer.

Who is one person you look up to and why?
The one person I look up to the most is my mom. She sacrifices so much for my family and is always putting everyone else's needs before her own. She's also the most humble and hardest worker I know. She made sure my brother and I had as many opportunities as we could while growing up and I really don't know what I'd do without her (editor: brother Brody plays baseball as Gonzaga).

When did you first start developing a passion for your sport? What did you like about it?
I started developing a passion for volleyball around my freshman year of high school. I started playing in 7th grade, but I never really thought much of it because I was always focused on softball (editor: Ashton played first base and won a state softball title in high school). I loved how much of a team dynamic there is and that you can't win solely on one person's performance.

What is one unique thing you've been doing to pass the time during COVID?
I tried learning Spanish, but that didn't last very long. 

Before your team could practice together, what kind of workouts did you do to stay in shape?
I have been going to SLC to lift. I've also been incorporating more jump rope and HIIT workouts into my routine because I really don't like running.

What is your favorite thing to do on the Big Island?
My favorite thing to do on the Big Island is to drive over to Kona side and go to the beaches.

What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a sports agent for MLB players.

What is one thing that most don't know about you?
Most people don't know that I used to dance when I was younger. I started when I was two-years-old and I did tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet. I quit when I was 12 because it was taking up too much time and I was doing too many activities, so I had to choose which ones I wanted to focus on.

What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful to have healthy family and friends, and to live in two of the most beautiful places.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world I would go to France because there's so much to do there and I took French in high school, so I would be able to utilize that skill.

What is your favorite part about being a student-athlete?
My favorite part about being a student-athlete is the community that we have as student-athletes. The school is pretty small and being an athlete allows you to develop friendships with people not just on your team, but from other teams as well.

What is one of your favorite activities that is unique to your hometown?
One of my favorite activities back home is going silver salmon fishing in my family's secret fishing hole.

What are some of your favorite places to eat in Hilo? What type of food do you enjoy?
My favorite places to eat in Hilo are Verna's and Sack N Save for poke bowls. I've become obsessed with poke since being here.

What do you miss about your hometown while you are at UH Hilo?
I miss the changing seasons and fresh, clean air back home. I also miss all of the outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, as well as all of the bomb food places.