Carmack’s volleyball journey is one of self-love, determination

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools

Alma volleyball coach Kimberly Weaver has coached in Alma Green long enough to know the true meaning of an Airedale. 

Five years in, she'll tell you Ashtyn Carmack not only defines her program but is the epitome of what Lady Airedale athletics stands for. 

"When you talk about what we want an Airedale to look like, it's Ashtyn Carmack," Weaver said. "She embodies all the attributes of what we're looking for and expecting."

A defensive specialist whose primary job is to keep plays alive by getting the ball to passers, who can set hitters, Carmack isn't built to carry the load — though her relentless, unselfish effort hardly goes unnoticed. 

The fact that she's still involved in the sport draws heaps of praise from her coaches and teammates. 

“It’s extremely encouraging to know what she has been through and what she has fought for,” senior Mabrey Birchfield said. “She pushes me every single day to be a better person, too. She’s my best friend on and off the court.”

Injuries and minor setbacks almost derailed Carmack's volleyball career from the start. And, while she sat on the sideline for almost four years, the sometimes bewildered, overly frustrated, yet determined Carmack refused to go quietly. 

It wasn’t until her sophomore year, post Covid, that Carmack was cleared to play again. 

"That's such a big jump, from my sixth-grade year to my sophomore year, those are very defining years, so I was a bit nervous," she said. "But trusting the process and my teammates, made a big difference."

"She's the definition of perseverance and tenacity," Weaver said. "I remember watching her in ninth grade, and she couldn't play, but she was always doing something to help. She was either keeping score or line-judging. 

"She found ways to be engaged, and those things spoke so much to me. She wasn't getting anything in return; she just gives so much of herself."

Alma assistant coach Amy Howard has been one of Carmack’s biggest cheerleaders. She was a part-time volunteer coach for one of her club teams a few years ago. 

“We were doing lessons and things together,” Howard said. “She was doing great and was very determined to learn everything she could and work hard and do her best, and then when she started having knee problems, it was hard to see her have to go through that, and for so long. I know it was hard, and probably devastating, too. 

Alma senior Ashtyn Carmack (left) has worked hard to become a solid defender for the upstart Lady Airedales’ volleyball team. Alma’s won four straight matches going into Thursday’s match at Siloam. 

“For her to say I’m not going to let this keep me down and do what I have to do to get back out there and be performing as well as she is, she’s overcome a lot.”

Carmack’s first match two years ago was met with a little trepidation. 

"I was pretty nervous. I was scared I wouldn't live up to my expectations of myself more than others because I did have big expectations coming back," Carmack said. "You take for granted what you have until it's gone. I think I just got hungrier and hungrier for what I didn't have. 

“I have that in the back of my mind … this could be the last time I'm on the court."

2018 

Sears filed for bankruptcy, Toys “R” Us shuttered all of its doors, an American actress named Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, and Patrick Mahomes wasn’t yet the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. 

The year 2018 had a little bit of everything. 

Then a sixth-grader, Carmack was trying to find her way in athletics like her older brother Destin and sister Halyn.

But it wouldn’t come quickly. 

“I was in a pretty dark spot there,” Carmack said. “Even though you’re a part of the team, it doesn’t feel like you’re part of the team. It doesn’t matter how much your teammates are working to include you, you’re not out on the floor, and you’re not feeling that love for the game  — that passion I think you lose a little bit of yourself, but I think everything happens for a reason.

“Maybe the way I play now, with the passion I have, I know what it’s like not to have that.”

Travel Ball

Like many of her teammates, Carmack grew up on a softball field, shooting baskets in a gym, and learning to love volleyball. At one point, Carmack was a pretty solid defensive softball catcher before eventually settling with volleyball. 

“My family was always pretty competitive,” Carmack said. “My dad always taught us there wasn’t a point to do something if you weren’t going to be good at it. We were a competitive family; we grew up playing travel sports all over the place. 

“There’s no point in doing it if you don’t love it.”

It was during a sixth-grade club volleyball season that Carmack connected with Howard. A former Fort Smith Southside standout, Howard passed her defensive specialist instincts to Carmack.

“A few of us girls grew up playing club (ball),” she said. “We had Amy (Howard), and Lauren (Wood), a UAFS player, coached us a little bit, too.” 

Postseason drought 

At the start of 5A-West play, it had been eight years since the Lady Airedales won a post-season match. On Oct. 24, 2017, Alma swept a state tournament match with Magnolia, 25-20, 25-14, 25-23. 

They lost to Nettleton the following day and haven’t been back. 

But after Tuesday’s quick 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-13, 25-17) of Russellville, the Lady Airedales are not only in the race but two games over the .500 mark. 

Alma (10-8, 2-3) travels to Siloam Springs on Thursday. 

“I think we all have to work toward the same goal and not put ourselves in different directions,” Carmack said. “We have to put our egos aside and try and do something bigger than ourselves.”