Fourth-year Shawnee State head volleyball coach Steve Rader has but four words of advice for his young Bears entering the 2000 season: "Play hard" and "Play together."

"We’ve improved our talent level each year,’ Rader says. "The missing element the last couple of years has been our team cohesiveness; we’ve played hard, we just haven’t played team volleyball quite often enough. Part of that comes from playing young players, and taking a while to gel, but we’ve shown over the past couple of seasons that when we are all on the same page, we can compete with anyone on our schedule. As talented as this group is, if we play hard and play together, there’s no telling what we can accomplish."

"There is no question in my mind that, player for player, this is the most talented team I’ve had since I’ve been here," Rader continues. "Potentially, it’s the best collection of athletes and players to ever wear Shawnee blue.

On paper, the Bears appear to be young and inexperienced, with only two seniors and one junior on the roster. "I would agree that we’re young," says Rader, "but we do not lack experience. Our freshmen played a lot last season."

Leading the SSU returnees is outside hitter Aimee Gaines (senior, Piketon, OH), a two-time all-American Mideast Conference performer. Sophomores Elizabeth Quatman (outside hitter, Edgewood, KY), Jennifer Cornelius (middle hitter, Cheshire, OH) and Doris Staler (defensive specialist, Toledo, OH) all saw significant playing time in 1999, with Quatman and Cornelius starting most of the season. Rounding out the returnees is senior Gretchen Bennington (setter, South Webster, OH).

The Bears expect big things from a talented group of newcomers, led by junior Melissa Holland (middle hitter, Chillicothe, OH), a transfer from Ohio University’s branch campus at Chillicothe. "Coming in, Melissa is as talented as any middle hitter in our league," says Rader. Sophomore Jeanne Brabson (outside hitter, Waverly, OH), a transfer from Rio Grande, will also contribute immediately, as will freshmen Tabby King (setter, Lucasville, OH) and Kristen Jones (middle hitter, Bolivar, OH). King was co-Player of the Year in the Southern Ohio Conference in ’99 Playing for Eastern High School (Pike County), while Jones garnered first-team all-state honors at Tuscarawas Valley High School (Zoarville, OH). Rounding out the newcomers is freshman Kristin Rohr (setter, Latham, OH).

"I really believe we’re solid at all positions," says Rader. "We made some good progress in the off-season, particularly in our hitting and passing."

The 2000 schedule is not kind to the young Bears, as SSU will play seven of its first ten and 19 of its first 22 matches on the road. "It will certainly be a baptism by fire for our new players," says Rader, "but if we can weather that storm in the first half of the season, the home schedule in October could help us in our quest to make the AMC tournament." The Bears will play ten of their last 12 matches in "The Cave," the James A. Rhodes Athletic Center on the Shawnee State campus.

"I really think the team has a solid understanding of what we need to do to be successful," says Rader. "The commitment is there. The work ethic is there. Developing a strong team chemistry and team identity will be the keys to our season."