BOB STRICKLEY

PDT Sports Editor

The 2011 season was a difficult one for the Shawnee State volleyball team.

Coach Kristy Kamer left the program before the season started and assistant coach Susan Shelton took over the program on an interim basis. The team went on to a 11-26 overall record and 5-6 finish in the Mid-South Conference just a season removed from being MSC champions.

The Bears were then eliminated in the conference tournament’s opening round.

After the season, Shelton’s interim status removed and the confidence of SSU athletic director Jeff Hamilton was put in its place.

“We are excited to have Susan back,” said Hamilton. “She took over in a tough situation immediately before the season began and did a wonderful job with a very young team.” Shawnee State finished second in the MSC East Division behind conference rival Rio.”

With a full offseason to implement her system, Hamilton said he expected improvement on the court.

The Bears return First Team All-Conference performer Kirsti Yates and All-Conference Honorable mention players Hannah Gephart and Alex Pohl.

SSU only loses two seniors in Kelly Schumacher and Shaye Berry and are looking to turn the youth from a season ago into confidence gained via experience.

The MSC conference coaches’ poll projected SSU to finish sixth out of the 11 teams in the conference.

The Bears open the season Aug. 24 in the Earlybird Tournament against Lawrence Technological University in Dearborn, Mich. MSC play begins Sept. 5 when the Bears host the University of Rio Grande.

Information from Shawnee State Sports Information contributed to this report.

Bob Strickley may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 203, or bstrickley@heartlandpublications.com.

2012 Shawnee State Volleyball Schedule

August

24 5:00 PM vs. Lawrence Technological University Dearborn, Mich.

Earlybird Tournament

7:00 PM vs. Trinity International University Dearborn, Mich.

Earlybird Tournament

25 8:30 AM vs. Trinity Christian College Dearborn, Mich.

Earlybird Tournament

12:30 PM @ University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, Mich.

Earlybird Tournament

September

5 7:00 PM vs. University of Rio Grande

7 2:00 PM vs. Union College Georgetown, Ky.

Rumpke Invitational

6:00 PM vs. St. Andrews College Georgetown, Ky.

Rumpke Invitational

8 10:00 AM @ Georgetown College Georgetown, Ky.

Rumpke Invitational

10 6:00 PM vs. University of Pikeville

15 1:00 PM vs. Midway College Pittsburgh, Pa.

@ Point Park University

3:00 PM @ Point Park College Pittsburgh, Pa.

21 2:00 PM vs. Freed-Hardeman Lebanon, Tenn.

Cumberland Classic

6:00 PM vs. Lindenwood University Lebanon, Tenn.

Cumberland Classic

22 11:00 AM vs. Martin Methodist Lebanon, Tenn.

Cumberland Classic

3:00 PM vs. Mid-Continent College Lebanon, Tenn.

Cumberland Classic

25 6:30 PM @ UVA-Wise Wise, Va.

28 7:15 PM @ Georgetown College Georgetown, Ky.

Mid-South Crossover

29 11:00 AM vs. St. Catharine College Georgetown, Ky.

Mid-South Crossover

1:15 PM vs. Cumberland Univ. Georgetown, Ky.

Mid-South Crossover

October

2 4:30 PM vs. Bluefield College Frank and Janis Waller Gymnasium

7:30 PM vs. Mount Vernon Nazarene College

6 3:00 PM vs. Ursuline College Cedarville, Ohio

@ Cedarville University

5:00 PM @ Cedarville University Cedarville, Ohio

9 7:00 PM @ University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, Ohio

16 6:00 PM @ University of Pikeville Pikeville, Ky.

19 7:15 PM vs. Campbellsville University

Mid-South Crossover

20 11:00 AM vs. University of the Cumberlands

Mid-South Crossover

3:30 PM vs. Lindsey Wilson

Mid-South Crossover

26 6:00 PM vs. Mount Vernon Nazarene College Grand Rapids, Mich.

Aquinas/Cornerstone Classic

8:00 PM @ Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, Mich.

Aquinas/Cornerstone Classic

27 10:00 AM vs. Grace College Grand Rapids, Mich.

Aquinas/Cornerstone Classic

12:00 PM vs. Marygrove College Grand Rapids, Mich.

Aquinas/Cornerstone Classic

30 7:00 PM vs. UVA-Wise Frank and Janis Waller Gymnasium

November

5 6:00 PM @ Bluefield College Bluefield, Va.

9 @ TBA Frankfort, Ky.

Mid-South Conference Tournament

10 @ TBA Frankfort, Ky.

Mid-South Conference Tournament