Bears Look to Continue Success in 2002

With winning seasons and American Mideast Conference Tournament appearances in each of the last two seasons, could it be that the SSU volleyball program has finally turned the corner toward consistent success?

“I’d like to believe that,” says sixth-year SSU head coach Steven Rader.  “We have a core group of players who have been instrumental in getting this program turned around; but nothing comes easy to us, and this year will be no exception.”

Shawnee State had no seniors on its 2001 roster, which should have Rader feeling pretty good about 2002.  “You would think so,” says Rader.  “We do have a number of talented players returning, but regardless of that, every year is different, and the team chemistry changes.

“What we need to establish early in the season is who our go-to hitters will be – who can we count on to get us a point when we need one the most,” Rader notes.

While the Bears had no seniors on last year’s squad, they did suffer personnel losses.  All-conference middle hitter Mandy Goin (transfer) and two-year started Jeanne Brabson (left school) are gone. 

“Someone is going to have to step up and be a leader,” says Rader.  “We have plenty of capable players who can fill that role.”

Highlighting the returnees is a quartet of seniors:  outside hitters Elizabeth Quatman (Edgewood, KY/Scott H.S.) and Jennifer Cornelius (Cheshire/River Valley), defensive specialist Doris Staler (Toledo/Libbey) and setter Anne Jennings (Miamisburg).   “Elizabeth, Jennifer and Doris have been through the wars with me,” says Rader.  “After a frustrating freshman year, they are a big part of the reason we have had success the last two years.  We’ll need their leadership if we are to enjoy success again this season.”

Also returning to the Bears are juniors Kristen Jones (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) and Tabby King (Beaver/Eastern), and sophomores Chelsey Eldridge (Chillicothe/Huntington), Kristi Twyman (Vincent/Warren), Leah Fulton (Seaman/North Adams) and Lindsey Freels (Hamilton/Lakota East).  “We’ll need contributions from everyone to continue our success,” Rader notes.  “A healthy Kristen Jones could easily be the money hitter we need to give us an edge this year.”

Rounding out the Bears roster are a pair of freshmen, outside hitter Kara Miller (Lancaster) and setter/defensive specialist Tiffany Holbrook (Grove City).

Standing in the way of another successful season for the Bears is their always-tough AMC competition.  “Year-in and year-out, this is an incredibly competitive conference,” says Rader.  “We have had a goal each year over the last several to beat a team we have never beaten before.  That’s not easy given the strength of this conference.  It would help if some of the top teams would have a down year once in a while, but so far my prayers for that have gone unanswered.

“We had a really great spring,” Rader continues.  “We worked hard – and I think our players believe that they have worked too hard not to see that effort pay dividends.

“If anyone takes us lightly, they will be in for a surprise.”