By: Jeff Weseloh, Director of Athletics Media Relations
Bolivar, Mo. - Southwest Baptist University volleyball coach Kelly Richardson announced the additions of eight new players who will join the Bearcats for the 2011 season. The eight new players include five who will be freshmen along with three transfer students. SBU will look to improve upon last year's record of 11-21 (6-14 MIAA) and look to contend for an MIAA Championship.
Lindsay Boone
5'11, Fr., Setter
Branson, Missouri
Branson High School
Daughter of David and Jane Boone
Awards/Activities: Student of the Month. National Honors Society. All-Conference Academic Award. Maintaining Excellent Grades Award. Homecoming Queen 2010. Interviewed and selected to be a part of the Missouri Area Health Education Center.
Why I chose SBU: I chose SBU for numerous reasons. Not only does SBU have an outstanding reputation, but it has a wonderful nursing program and good connections with St. Johns. I also love the size of the school and the location from my home in Branson. I will still be able to come home to see my family without having to take a full weekend to get there. One of my main reasons for selecting SBU, however, is the Christian based environment. I love that I will be going to school with other students who share my values and passion for Christ. I am so excited to be an SBU Bearcat!!!
Coach Richardson's thoughts: Lindsay is one of those players that will lift the spirits of everyone around her. She works hard, and always maintains a great attitude. Lindsay brings great court experience, and will be training with our setters.
Kelsey Fankhauser
5'10, Fr., Setter
St. Charles, Missouri
Frances Howell High School
Daughter of Bill and Nancy Fankhauser
Awards/Activities: 2010 9th Mideast Qualifier: 2008 Varsity Best Offensive Player Francis Howell, 2008 Varsity 2nd Team All Conference, 2008 Pattonville All tournament team, 2008 Silver Heart 2nd Place 16, 2009 Varsity Captain, 2009 FZE Sportsmanship Award, 2009 Most Improved Francis Howell, 2009 All Academic GAC Conference 2009 2nd Team All Conference, 2009 1st Team All District, 2009 District Champions, 2009 Sectional Champions, 2009 JOVC Nationals 16U American Division 1st Flight 1 (21st place), 2009 Holiday Inn Classic 16U 1st Place, 2009 Central Zonal Championships 16U 1st Place, 2010 Varsity Captain, 2010 1st team All Conference, 2010 2nd team All District, 2010 District Champions
Why I chose SBU: I have chosen SBU because of the distance from home, academics, but most important the welcoming volleyball program. When I walked on to the SBU campus I immediately felt welcomed, and that this place was somehow different from all the other colleges I had visited. I knew right after my visit that this was the place I wanted to be.
Coach Richardson's Thoughts: As I've continued to watch Kelsey play this spring, I see improvement every time she steps onto the floor. She is a player that strives to get better every time she touches the ball, and will bring great experience to our setting position.
Mackynzi Gibson
5'11, Fr., Outside/Middle/Right Side
Lee's Summit, Missouri
Lee's Summit North High School
Daughter of Kevin Gibson and Wendy Berdych
Awards/Activities: Academic All State 2008 2009 2010, Missouri All Star Team 2010, All Conference Team 2008 2010, All District Team 2008 2010, Hammerin' Hank Award 2010
Why I chose SBU: I chose Southwest Baptist University because I knew it would be a great atmosphere for me to succeed in. Also the first time I was there I loved the campus and the coaches made me feel right at home.
Coach Richardson's thoughts: Mackynzi is another versatile player who can impact multiple positions. She has a lot of strong experience on the outside, but also brings middle experience as well. Mackynzi has a great work ethic, and we look for her to impact our offense and defense this fall.
Shelby Gordon
5'9, Fr., Outside/Defensive Specialist
Republic, Missouri
Republic High School
Daughter of Mark and Jane Gordon
Awards/Activities: Academic All-State 10/11, Honorable Mention All-Conference Volleyball, 3 year varsity letter winner and starting Outside Hitter, National Honor Society 08/09 & 10/11, Honor role all 4 years of high school, 4 year academic letter winner.
Why I chose SBU: For me SBU was the whole package. It is a great school for the career I want to pursue in Physical Therapy. I also enjoyed the team and coaching staff, and overall atmosphere of the volleyball program. The Christian values of the school were also another important thing to me. SBU had everything I was looking for in a school.
Coach Richardson's thoughts: Shelby has worked very hard to continue improving her volleyball game. She is willing to push herself, and those around her. We look for Shelby to continue progressing in the OH role, but also really find her game defensively.
Kristi Hager
5'3, Jr., Libero/Defensive Specialist
Denton, Texas
New Mexico Military Institute
Daughter of Ted and Linda Johnson
Awards/Activities: NMMI: 1st Team All Conference 2009 10 & 2010 11
High school: 1st Team All District 07 08, Libero of the year 08 09
Why I chose SBU: Academically I am looking forward to the student to teacher ratio and the business programs that are offered at SBU. Athletically I was looking for a hardworking program to walk into and that is exactly what I found. I can't wait to be able to contribute to this program in the fall. Overall, SBU was the best fit for me and what I was looking for in a school as well as an athletic program.
Coach Richardson's Thoughts: Kristi is going to be a big key for the defensive side of our program. She brings great court experience, and was one of the strongest liberos in the county in NJCAA Division 1. Kristi brings a great work ethic, and will really push our defense this fall.
Carrie Johnson
5'10, Jr., Middle/Outside
Denton, Texas
Northlake College
Daughter of Tammie Johnson
Why I chose SBU: I chose SBU because it seems to be the fit for me. The campus as well as the administrators are very warm and welcoming and most of all I can see myself succeeding in my academic studies and enjoying the school and volleyball program. I want to help build a solid program and be part of a united team. Everyone seems to be hard working and working towards one goal. I want to be able to contribute all that I can to help achieve that goal.
Coach Richardson's thoughts: Carrie has an incredible offensive presence, and a real passion for the game. She can play in multiple positions on the front row, and is such a versatile player. We look for Carrie to make a big impact on our offense this fall.
Whitney Miller
5'9, Jr., Setter
Hutchinson, Kansas
Hutchinson Community College
Daughter of David and Kelli Miller
Awards/Activities: Lettered all 4 years of volleyball and track, 3 in basketball, state contender all 4 years of HS in track. Captain all 4 yrs of HS in volleyball, Honorable mention freshman yr. HS, 2nd team sophomore and junior years of HS. Girls State, and principal's honor roll all 4 years of HS. Captain sophomore year college, All-Tournament Team @ Iowa Western.
Why I chose SBU: I chose SBU because it had the most positives than any other school I was looking at. Also not having to change my major, closer to home and our color is purple! All in all it was simply a better fit for me.
Coach Richardson's thoughts: Whitney brings a great deal of setting experience from a top JUCO program. She is a hard worker, and has a very competitive drive. This is what we will need in the setting position this fall, and Whitney will help bring that strength to our floor.
Paige Straatmann
5'9, Fr., Right Side/Outside
Villa Ridge, Missouri
Borgia High School
Daughter of Randy and Leanne Straatmann
Awards/Activities: Honor roll, Julie Doorack Memorial Scholarship
Why I chose SBU: I chose SBU for several reasons. I really like the size of the school and the campus, I love that it is faith related, and I really like the coaches and girls.
Coach Richardson's thoughts: Paige has an amazing work ethic and attitude. She is a driven individual, and will work hard to accomplish all the goals she has set forth for herself. We look forward to Paige continuing to grow as an offensive player, but also increasing her strength defensively.
