SEATTLE – Ava Edmonds' very first game as a college basketball player was against Seattle Pacific.
 
Now, her very first game as a college basketball coach will be for Seattle Pacific.
 
Edmonds, who completed her career and graduated last spring from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, has joined the Falcons' program as the lead assistant for interim head coach Karen Byers.
 
"I always thought about coaching. I have such a love and passion for the game that any way I could continue working with it is something I was interested in," the 23-year-old Edmonds said. "I've just been fortunate to have played for so many amazing coaches, I always thought that if I did get the opportunity, I would want to coach the way I have been coached or would have liked to have been coached."
 
Byers was the lead assistant last season for Mike Simonson, who left in early August for the head job at Biola University in Los Angeles. She was named interim head coach job on Aug. 19, which left her an opening to fill for her former position.
 
 

"From the very beginning when I saw her resume', it was clear that I was highly interested in her," Byers said. "When she came on campus, she just had this drive to get stuff done and a passion for what we're doing. So that made it a very clear choice."
 
While Byers has an eye for offense, Edmonds will bring a defensive focus to the Falcons.
 
"Throughout my college career, I was definitely trending toward defensive-minded," Edmonds said. "Growing up, (offense) is what you focus more on. But then in college, I really learned the importance of defense and how it literally wins games."
 
In addition to starting 71 of her 76 basketball games and averaging 10.4 points for her career, Edmonds also played three seasons of golf for the Lutes. During her 2022-23 junior year, the Lutes were coached by Tyler Copp, who now is the head coach of the first-year Seattle Pacific women's golf program.
 
As for that first-ever college game against Seattle Pacific, it came on Jan. 11, 2021 in Brougham Pavilion during the height of the coronavirus pandemic when conference seasons were canceled but teams were playing independent schedules.
 
The game between the Falcons and Lutes was the opener for both schools. Edmonds started and played 36 minutes, logging 16 points, two rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. SPU eventually won, 56-51. Among the SPU players on the court that night was then-redshirt freshman Hunter Beirne, who went for 17 points and five rebounds.
 
Now, Beirne is in her fifth year, is the starting point guard, and will be one of the players that Edmonds is coaching.
 
"I can certainly see the intensity and the level that the girls are at," Edmonds said. "There's a lot more intensity and the leadership on the court is strong. The fact that they are working together and almost coaching themselves, I can see the high level there. I think we have strong players and a deep bench, and I'm eager to get going and see what we can do."