Former Ascension Episcopal head volleyball coach Celie Leblanc Ulm was known for always putting the well-being of her players before herself. Even during the biggest battle of her life, Ulm continued to keep her Blue Gators at the forefront of her thoughts.

In late January or early February, while Ulm was undergoing treatment for an aggressive cancer she was diagnosed with in December, she texted her friend Laurie Simon and asked her to be there for her program if she couldn't be.

"We had texted about it two or three times,” said Simon, who has two children attending Ascension Episcopal. “Celie asked me to promise her that if something happened to her, that I would make sure that her players were taken care of. She said, 'promise me, if something happens to me, you'll take the job.'”