MIX OF YOUTH AND VETERANS COULD LEAD TO EXCITING SEASON

With ten of 14 players listed as freshmen or sophomores, the Shawnee State volleyball team may appear to be in a “re-building” mode.   Ninth-year head coach Dr. Steven Rader doesn’t necessarily disagree.

“Obviously, on paper, we are quite young,” says Rader.  “The good news is that we have nine returning players, most of whom saw significant playing time last season – so it’s not like we’re starting from scratch.”

Graduation claimed both starting middle hitters from the 2004 squad, in Kristi Twyman and Dancin Gastelum, as well as starting outside hitter Cheryl Ziser.  “Those will be some very big shoes to fill,” Rader notes, “but we have some very capable players who have the opportunity to step up.”

SSU’s returning upperclassmen feature three outside hitters, senior Kara Miller (Lancaster, OH) and juniors Carly Cameron (Orient, OH) and Elizabeth Eby (Eaton, OH), as well as senior defensive specialist Tiffany Holbrook (Grove City, OH).  Cameron will captain the Bears in 2005, while Miller is a three-year starter.  “Carly has really stepped up into the team leader role,” says Rader.  “We will likely move Kara Miller back to the right side,” where she earned American Mideast Conference All-Freshman team honors in 2002.

Setter Kelsey Sewards (Circleville, OH) anchors the sophomore class, and will run the Bears’ offense again this season.  Also expected to contribute significantly are classmates Lindsey Grubb (Chillicothe, OH) and Adair Piguet (Wheelersburg, OH).  “Kelsey proved as a freshman that she is fully capable of running this team,” says Rader.  “Lindsey had a good spring and summer, and could easily find herself in the starting line-up.  We moved Adair to the back row during the spring, and she has risen to the challenge.  She’s easily as aggressive as any player we have ever had back there.”

Rader was able to address all of the Bears’ immediate recruiting needs, inking middle hitters and another setter.  Headlining the SSU freshman class is middle hitter Becca Day (Beaver, OH/Eastern H.S.), a four-year starter and all-state selection.  Joining Day in the freshman class are MH Jessica Kevelder (Baltimore, OH/Liberty Union H.S.), MH/OH Samantha Emler (Howard, OH/East Knox H.S), OH Sarah Cartmell (Ironton, OH/Ironton H.S.) and setter Randi Rodgers (Williamsport, OH/Westfall H.S.).  “As a group,” says Rader, “this freshman class has as much, if not more, potential than any freshman class since I have been here.  I expect them to make their presence known early and often.

“As I look at the roster,” Rader concludes, “what I see most is increased depth.  There will be more competition for playing time that we’ve had in quite some time.”

Schedule-wise, “Same story, different year,” says Rader.  “The AMC-South is always very competitive.  We’ve shown the ability to consistently play with anybody in our division.”  Rader expects perennially strong South Division foes Cedarville, Walsh, Mount Vernon Nazarene, and Malone to lead the pack, but adds, “We can’t overlook anyone in our division.  If we play to our potential, we can compete… but we still have to find a way to win on nights when we aren’t playing our best.”

Shawnee State opens the season at the Tiffin University Pre-Conference Challenge.  The Bears play Taylor and Michigan-Dearborn on Friday, September 2, followed by Siena Heights and Friends (KS) on Saturday, September 3.  The Bears home opener is Tuesday, September 13 vs. Pikeville.