By: Greg Gorham, Media Relations Assistant
UPDATED: June 7, 2010
BOLIVAR, Mo. - Southwest Baptist University volleyball coach Kelly Richardson announced the additions of eleven new players who will join the Bearcats for the 2010 season. The eleven new players include nine who will be freshmen along with two junior college transfers.
The 2009 Bearcat squad finished 12-24 overall and 5-15 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in Richardson's third season. Senior setter Brianna Wallace is the top returning player for the Bearcats. Wallace recorded 1272 assists in 138 sets, an average of 9.22 per set, which ranked ninth in the MIAA.
Jordan Nedbalek6-2, Fr., MH/OH
Friendswood, Texas
Living Stones Christian HS
Athletic: Two-time TAPPS Texas State Champion ... 2009 State Runner-Up ... 2007
TAPPS First-Team All-State ... Two-time TAPPS 2nd Team All-State ... 2008 TAPPS All Star ... 2009 TAPPS State All-Tournament Team ... 2008 TAPPS Area Champion ... Four-time All District First-Team ... In basketball, was the team captain four seasons, the 2009 Team MVP, and led team in points and rebounds in 2008-2009 season ... Jordan has lettered in volleyball, basketball, tennis & softball.
Academics: A member of The National Society ... AB Honor Roll 2006-2010.
Intended Major: Physical Therapy
Coach Richardson: "Jordan is one of the most coachable players I've seen in a long time. She is always looking for ways to improve, and is very passionate about learning everything she can. Jordan will bring more height to our front row, and will be a very big block for us. We are very excited that Jordan has decided to make SBU her new home."
Chelsey Levingston
5-7, Fr., DS
Pierce City, Missouri
Pierce City HS
Athletic: 2009 MSHSAA Final Four team ... 2009 First-Team All-District ... 2009 Second-Team All-Region ... 2009 First-Team All-Conference ... 2007 Second-Team All-Conference ... 2008 Second-Team All-Conference ... Led team in kills and digs, 2009 ... Four-year varsity letterwinner ... In track, was a three-time state medalist, four-year varsity letterwinner, and school record-holder in the 4x200m Relay and Triple Jump.
Academics: USAA National Mathematics Award ... Academic letter winner.
Intended Major: Mathematics
Coach Richardson: "Chelsey is one of those players that will do anything for her team. She just recently started focusing on defense only, and is improving every day. Her front row experience will also bring an aggression that we are looking for on our back row. We are very excited that Chelsey will be joining us this fall."
5-11, Jr., OH
Leavenworth, Kansas
Highland CC
Athletic: NJCAA DII Second-Team All-American ... NJCAA All-District N Selection ... NJCAA Region VI DII Player of the week .. First-Team All-Jayhawk Conference ... Second-Team All-Jayhawk Conference ... In high school, First-Team All-League in 2006-07 and All-League Honorable Mention in 2007-08.
Academic: President's Honor Roll all 4 years ... Presidential Award (4.15 cumulative GPA throughout high school).
Coach Richardson: "Caitlyn has been very successful these past two years of college. She has experience as a 6 rotation player, and will be an offensive key for us this coming fall. Caitlyn also has great ball control, and we look for her to make an impact defensively as well. We are very excited that Caitlyn will be joining the Bearcats this fall."
RoseAnne Eggan
6-0, Fr., MH
Yucaipa, California
Yucaipa HS
Athletic: 2009 CIF Tournament appearance ... 2008 Coach's Award winner.
Academic: 4.0 or higher GPA all four years ...Ranked 16th out of 635 students ... Hozoni Atet (ranked in the top 40 of the junior class) ... Academic Honors in: Earth Science, Algebra II, Biology.
Intended Major: Nursing
Coach Richardson: "RoseAnne is a player who is very eager to get on the court and go. She is very passionate about her own improvement, and is a very driven athlete. RoseAnne will bring height to our front row, and is also a big offensive threat. We are excited that RoseAnne will be joining our team this fall."
Jenna Isaacs
6-0, Fr., MH/OH
Miami, Florida
Mater Academy
Athletic: 2008 All-State Honorable Mention ... Back-to-back District Champions ... 2009 First-Team All-District ... 2008 Second-Team All-District ... Two-time Team MVP ... Two-time team leader in kills ... Four year varsity letterwinner.
Academic: Named to Honor Roll three years ... Cumulative 3.0 or better GPA ... Class Vice-President, 2007 ... Member of Key Club and class board since 2008.
Intended Major: Physical Therapy
Coach Richardson: "Jenna is one of the hardest working athletes I've ever seen. If there is something she can do to improve her volleyball game, then she will do it. Jenna has experience in the middle, and on the outside. She will bring height to our front row, and also can hit a very heavy ball. We are very excited that Jenna has decided to make SBU her new home."
Emma Donnelly
5-7, Fr., DS
Clinton, Illinois
Clinton HS
Athletic: Seven various All-Tournament awards, from 2009-2010 ... One Tournament MVP Award ... Two-time First-Team All-Conference ... 2010 All-Area Honorable Mention ...Two-time Team leader in digs ... In softball, was named Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Conference.
Academic: Honor Roll all four years of high school ... Class officer.
Intended Major: Business
Coach Richardson: "Emma is a fierce competitor. She hates to lose, and this drive is going to be a big help to our defense. Emma shows a great deal of ball control, and has a great work ethic. She will be a great addition to our defense, and we are very excited that she'll be joining the Bearcats."
Alyx Glover
5-6, Jr., L
Lawrence, Kansas
Coffeyville CC
Athletic: Holds school record for career digs ... 2009 All-Conference Team ... Two-time Team Captain ... Holds single season and career records in digs and serves received for Free State High School ... Two-time Second-Team Honors, 2006-2007.
Academic: Selected to “Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges” (2009).
Intended Major: Education
Coach Richardson: "Alyx has so much ball control, and literally gets her hands on everything. She has also had experience setting, so is very comfortable taking the ball above her head. Alyx is a natural leader, and an intense competitor. Look for Alyx to make a big impact on our defense this fall. We're very excited that SBU will be her new home."
Britni Reed
5-10, Fr., OH
Grimes, Iowa
Dallas-Center Grimes HS
Athletic: 2009 Second-Team All-State ... 2009 Des Moines Register Second-Team All-State ... 2008 All-State Honorable Mention ... Two-time unanimous First-Team All-Conference ... Three year varsity letterwinner ... In soccer, two-time state runners-up, 2008 Second-Team All-State, three-time First-Team All-Conference, and four year varsity letterwinner.
Intended Major: Undecided
Coach Richardson: "Britni will bring great offensive and defensive consistency to our team. She has experience on the outside and right side. She also has experience in all three back row positions. Britni shows a great deal of ball control, and can also mix up her shots very well on the front row. We are very excited that Britni will be joining our SBU family."
Kelsey Beyer
5-7, Fr., DS
Kansas City, Missouri
Staley HS
Athletic: First-Team All-Conference ... Holds school record for most aces in a single game ... Team Captain ... Two year varsity letterwinner ... Four year varsity letterwinner in track.
Academic: Academic All-State Team in volleyball ... Named to the Honor Roll all four years ... Gold Medallion Diploma ... Two year academic letterwinner.
Intended Major: Mathematics
Coach Richardson: "Kelsey is a player who loves the game so much. She is very coachable, and is very eager to continue improving. Kelsey will bring consistency to our defense, and also drive. She will really push herself, and those around her to be the best. We are so excited that Kelsey will be joining the Bearcats."
Lauren Johnson
5-9, Fr., OH
Omaha, Nebraska
Home Schooled
Athletic: National Home School Volleyball Championship Runner-up ... Received All-Tournament and Christian Sportsmanship Awards.
Academic: Named to the Honor Roll.
Intended Major: Elementary Education
Coach Richardson: "Lauren is just extremely passionate about volleyball. From the first time I saw her in high school to now, she has improved so much. Lauren will bring more consistency to our front row in the outside position, and also has very good ball control in defense. We are excited that Lauren will be joining our SBU family."
Logan Lockard
5-9, Fr., S
Lubbock, Texas
Monterey HS
Athletic: Volleyball four year varsity letterman ... Member of the All-City Team ... District 2-5A All-District Honorable Mention ... District 2-5A Academic All-District ... Had a total of 881 assists as a senior ... Ranks fourth in career assists for Monterey.
Academic: Honor Roll ... Key Club ... FFA ... Distinguished Honor Grad ... FFA Chapter Officer and Judging Team ... FCA ... Academic Ocathalon.
Intended Major: Physical Therapy
Coach Richardson: Logan has as great presence about her on the court. I first saw her play at a national qualifier, and was immediately drawn to the confident way she ran her team. She's very positive with those around her, and also has a very strong drive for competition. Logan delivers the ball well, and will continue to bring great consistency to our setter position. We are very excited that Logan has decided to make SBU her new home.
