Sam Houston volleyball guide by Sam Houston State Athletics

2010 VOLLEYBALL

Sam Houston A university and an athletic program growing in size and stature

2010 Volleyball Facts Head Coach: Alma Mater: Career Record: Seasons: Assistant Coach: Alma Mater: Volleyball Telephones: Volleyball E-Mail:

Brenda Gray Sam Houston State, 1982 Won 543, Lost 384 26 (all at Sam Houston State) Joe Lind North Dakota State, 2005 (936) 294-1736, 294-3596 bgray@shsu.edu (Brenda Gray) jlind@shsu.edu (Joe Lind) 2009 Match Record: Won 20, Lost 14 2008 Southland Record: Won 12, Lost 4 West Division 2nd place SLC post-season quarterfinals Starters Returning: 3 of 6 (plus libero) Letterwinners Returning: 8 of 12 Arena: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (6,100) National Affiliation: NCAA Division I Colors: Orange and White Conference: Southland Sports Information: Paul Ridings Jason Barfield Office Telephone: (936) 294-1764, 294-3533 Fax Telephone: (936) 294-3538 Court Side Telephone: (936) 294-1838 E-Mail: ridings@shsu.edu jbarfield@shsu.edu Web Site: www.gobearkats.com Mailing Address: Box 2268, Huntsville, TX 77341 Physical Address: 620 Bowers Blvd. Huntsville, TX 77341

2010 Bearkat Volleyball Guide Table of Contents Texas State University System ....... 4

Sam Houston Athletic Staff ............ 27

Sam Houston State University ....... 5

Athletic Excitement at SHSU .......... 28

University President .......................... 6

What Is A Bearkat ? ............................ 30

University Administration ............... 7

Huntsville, Texas ................................. 32

2010 Outlook ...................................... 9

Community Involvement ................ 33

Head Coach ..................... ................... 10

Student Services .................................. 34

Volleyball Staff ............................ .....

Academic Honors .............................. 35

2009 Statistics ...................................

Athletic Facilities ................................ 36

Player Biographies ............................. 12

SHSU Degree Programs ................... 38

School Records .....................

Strength & Conditioning ................. 39

Athletic Director Bobby Williams .. 26

Media Spotting Chart .........

Sam Houston 2010 Volleyball Roster No. Player Position Ht. 1 Haley Neisler Middle blocker 5-11 2 Jamie Haas Defensive specialist/libero 5-3 3 Kym Loving Setter 5-9 4 Tayler Gray Setter 5-8 5 Kim Black Middle blocker 5-11 6 Carli Kolbe Outside hitter / right side 5-11 7 Jamie Kaleh Outside hitter / defensive specialist 5-8 8 Kelli Stewart Outside hitter / right side 6-1 9 Brittany Hoag Outside hitter 6-0 10 Tarona Williams Middle blocker 5-11 11 Courtney Laskowski Setter / right side hitter 5-9 12 Kaylee Hawkins Defensive specialist/libero 5-9 13 Camille Alfaro Outside hitter 5-10 14 Lauren Bohlen Outside hitter 6-0 15 Samantha West Middle blocker 6-2 16 Amber Bain Outside hitter 5-11 Head Coach: Brenda Gray (Sam Houston State, 1982), 27th season at SHSU Assistant Coach: Joe Lind (North Dakota State, 2005), 4th season at SHSU

Class Fr-HS So-1L Jr-2L Fr-HS Jr-2L Jr-2L Jr-2L Fr-RS So-Tr Fr-HS Jr-2L So-1L So-1L Fr-HS So-Tr Fr-HS

Hometown (High School) Flower Mound / Marcus Deer Park / Deer Park Houston / Cypress Springs Huntsville / Huntsville Huntsville / Huntsville College Station / A&M Conso. Magnolia / Magnolia Magnolia / Magnolia Crosby / Crosby Fresno / Hightower Poth / Poth Dickinson / Dickinson San Antonio / Marshall San Antonio / O’Connor Bridge City / Bridge City (Navarro) Louise / Louise

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The Texas State University System Oldest Multi-Campus System in Texas The Texas State University System has a long and illustrious history in Texas. It is the oldest and third largest higher education system in Texas. Beginning as an administrative means to consolidate the support and management of state teacher colleges, the System has evolved into a network of higher education institutions stretching from the Texas–Louisiana border to the Big Bend region of far West Texas. Today eight System components offer a broad range of academic and career pathways. Throughout the System, you will find professionals committed to preparing students for working and contributing to an increasingly global society. The academic and professional programs offered will help them learn to make sound decisions in life and become contributors in their communities. Each university, college and institute within The Texas State University System is unique in its own way and is highlighted within this website. Additional literature is available from each institution, and contact information is referenced within each section featured. The Texas State University System is governed by an nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the Governor. In addition, a nonvoting student regent is appointed annually to the Board. The administration, which is headed by a board-appointed Chancellor, is based in Austin. Sam Houston State is the second largest institution in the eight-campus Texas State University System.

System enrollment: 72,000 System total operating budget for fiscal year 2010: $822 million System total state appropriation for fiscal year 2010: $344 million

Dr. Brian McCall Chancellor

Dr. Brian McCall - Chancellor To be announced - Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Fernando C. Gomez - Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Ms. Diane Corley - Executive Director, TSUS Foundation, Chancellor’s Council Mr. Peter E. Graves - Vice Chancellor for Contract Administration Ms. Carole M. Fox - Director of Audits and Analysis Dr. Roland K. Smith - Vice Chancellor for Finance Mr. Sean Cunningham - Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations Mr. Mike Wintemute - Director of Governmental Relations and Communications

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION OFFICE Thomas J. Rusk Building 200 East 10th Street, Suite 600 Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 463-1808

Board of Regents

Lamar University Sam Houston State University Sul Ross State University

Ron Blatchley Chairman Bryan - 2011

Charlie Amato Vice Chair San Antonio - 2013

Kevin J. Lilly Houston 2015

Ron Mitchell Horseshoe Bay 2015

Trisha S. Pollard Bellaire 2013

Michael Truncale Beaumont 2013

Donna Williams Arlington 2011

Christopher Covo San Marcos Student Regent

Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College Texas State University - San Marcos Lamar Institute of Technology Lamar State College - Orange Lamar State College - Port Arthur 4 www.gobearkats.com

David Montagne Beaumont 2015

Dr. Dana Gibson Sam Houston’s 13th president Dana Gibson, Ph.D., becomes the the 13th President of Sam Houston State University on September 1, 2010. The Texas State University System Board of Regents unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Gibson on July 14, 2010. Gibson was selected from a field of 40 applicants to replace outgoing President Dr. James F. Gaertner who will retire effective August 31. She has served as Sam Houston’s vice president for finance and operations, a since 2009. “Dr. Gibson has an impressive record as an educator and administrator, and I’m delighted that Sam Houston State University will continue to benefit from her leadership, passion and energy,” said Chancellor McCall. Gibson is a veteran of university work, with 24 years of teaching and administrative experience at various institutions. Prior to her tenure at Sam Houston, she served as president of National University, a private, not-for-profit university in California. She also held the positions of vice president for business and finance at Southern Methodist University in Dallas from 2005 to 2007 and vice chancellor for administration and finance at the University of Colorado at Denver. frin 2002 to 2005. She was named as SMU’s “Administrator-of-the-Year” in 2006. “I am extremely pleased with the process we followed to select the best candidate to lead Sam Houston State University,” said TSUS Board

of Regents Chairman Ron Blatchley. “Dr. Gibson is already on the team and has the support of President Gaertner,. I’m pleased that Sam Houston will continue to benefit from her leadership and experience.” “Sam Houston State University is a very special place with a rich history of excellent leadership so I am deeply honored to be selected to serve as the university’s next president,” Dr. Gibson said. “I appreciate the Board of Regents’ and Chancellor McCall’s confidence in my ability to continue the excellent progress made under President Gaertner. During the last year at Sam Houston, I have come to appreciate the dedication of the faculty and staff as well as the excellent culture existing at SHSU.” Gibson earned her bachelor’s degree in business specialized to accounting in 1981 and a master’s of business administration in 1984 at Texas Woman’s University. She earned her doctorate in business, again majoring in accounting, from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1993. She became a certified public accountant in 1984. She held executive-level positions at the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver and Texas Woman’s University and taught accounting and management information systems as a professor and lecturer. She first served as an assistant to the vice president for finance and administration, then as associate vice private for finance and administration and university controller. In 2000 she was promoted to TWU’s vice president for academic and information services. Gaertner congratulated Gibson on her appointment and expressed his support of the decision. “I am absolutely delighted that Dr. Gibson has been named the sole finalist for the position of president. In working with her over the past year, I have gotten to know her and how competent she is. She is a person of high integrity, and she’s a good fit for Sam Houston State University.” Gibson is active in civic and charitable causes, including serving on the boards of Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Voice for Children and the Denver Downtown Partnership. “I look forward to my new role, as it will provide me more opportunity to interact with our enthusiastic, remarkable students and our supportive alumni and community,” Gibson said. “It is an exciting time to lead SHSU, to continue building upon the successes and to plan new pathways for the future.”

The campus at Sam Houston continues to grow with the addition of new resident halls, academic buildings and outstanding athletic facilities.

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One Great University Sam Houston was founded in 1879 and stands today as the third-oldest public university in Texas and the state’s fifth oldest continuously operating institution of higher education. With nearly 100,000 graduates, SHSU has touched the lives of generations of Texans by helping to shape the economic, social and cultural development of this state and beyond. The establishment of Sam Houston Normal Institute was authorized by Texas Governor Oran M. Roberts on April 21, 1879. On October 10 of that year “the Normal” opened with 109 students, four faculty members and its first principal, Bernard Mallon.

Sam Houston Today Created to train school teachers, today’s Sam Houston State University offers a broad range of academic programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Many of its academic programs and faculty have attained national and statewide recognition. Sam Houston State University serves one of the most diverse populations of any education institution in Texas. Admission requirements were strengthened six years ago. In the fall of 2009, SHSU experienced another record enrollment, with a total of 16,795. The physical plant is undergoing significant expansion and improvements at a cost of more than $250 million.

A Great Name in Texas Education Central to the university’s recent achievements is a dedicated faculty and staff that provide a caring education environment for students to learn and develop. With its namesake, ties to Texas history and a record of 130 years of service to the people of the state, Sam Houston State University is truly “a great name in Texas education.”

General Sam Houston is the only man in U.S. history to be governor of two states (Tennessee and Texas). He led Texas to independence with the victory over Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto. He became the first president of the Republic of Texas, senator from the state of Texas and governor of the State of Texas. He is buried in Huntsville not far from the campus of the university named in his honor.

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In the 21st century, Sam Houston State University has seen record growth, ranking as the fastest growing public institution in Texas the past three years.

 Enrollment 16,795

Sam Houston State University

 272-acre main campus  80 undergraduate degree programs  55 masters’ programs  5 doctoral programs Criminal Justice Educational Leadership Counselor Education Clinical Psychology Reading  72% of faculty members hold doctoral or terminal degrees  31 students average class size  1:20 faculty-student ratio

Students from every walk of life come to Sam Houston State University in pursuit of a quality college education.

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Carnegie Graduate Instructional Program Classification: Doctoral Research University

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Five colleges within the university: Arts and Sciences Business Administration Criminal Justice Education Humanities and Social Sciences

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Capital project, construction, renovation, and improvement program totals more than $250 million

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A diverse student body with students from 46 countries

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University is partner with Raven Nest Golf Course

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Every office, classroom and residence hall room is equipped with a high speed Internet connection www.gobearkats.com 7

A Growing

University Administration

Campus

PRESIDENT Dr. Dana Gibson VICE PRESIDENTS Provost/Academic Affairs: Dr. David E. Payne Finance & Operations: TBA University Advancement: Mr. Frank Holmes Enrollment Management: Dr. Heather Thielemann Student Services: Mr. Frank Parker ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS Associate Provost: Dr. Richard Eglsaer Academic Affairs/Dean, Graduate Studies: Dr. Kandi Tayebi Distance Learning: Mr. William Angrove Research & Special Programs: Dr. Jerry Cook Research Administration & Technology Commercialization: Mr. Dan Davis Student Services: Mr. Keith Jenkins ACADEMIC DEANS College of Arts & Sciences: Dr. Jaimie L. Hebert College of Business Administration: Dr. Mitchell Muehsam College of Criminal Justice: Dr. Vincent J. Webb College of Education: Dr. Genevieve Brown College of Humanities & Social Sciences: Dr. John M. de Castro

Dr. David E. Payne Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Heather Thielemann Vice President for Enrollment Management

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Mr. Frank Holmes Vice President for University Advancement

Mr. Frank Parker Vice President for Student Services

Team Above All ... Above All A Team The 2009 Bearkat volleyball team rolled up a 20-14 record during a season that will be remembered as one of the program’s most exciting. The 20 victories were the most wins for Sam Houston volleyball since 1996. The Kats finished Southland Conference play as runnersup in the West Division with a 12-4 league mark. Sam Houston went undefeated at home in Johnson Coliseum in conference play. The most remarkable characteristic of the 2009 team, however, was its “never say die” attitude. Sam Houston was 10-2 in five set matches and won two others in four sets. With eight letter-winners back including four starters, the Bearkats hope to continue that excitement in 2010. “Last year’s team was one of the best I’ve coached here at Sam Houston,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “They responded well whenever the going got tough. “Although we’ve lost three starters off that team, I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish this year.” Two 2009 starters were seniors, middle blockers Anna Ferguson and Katie Phillips. Ferguson, a two-time All-Southland Conference first team selection, ranked fourth in the Southland Conference this season with 3.66 kills per set. Phillips started 27 matches in 2009 and played in all 34 contests. Also gone is Michelle Miller who earned All-Southland honors as a freshman but who has transferred to the University of Colorado. “We lost some quality players but we also return some very talented young ladies,” Gray said. “We’re young. There is not a senior on the roster. Everyone will be fighting for spots and our juniors are going to have to step up and understand that now this is their team to lead.” Three starters plus the team’s libero return for 2010. Junior Carli Kolbe of College Station led the Bearkats in kills with 461 and ranked third in the league in kills with 3.67 per set. She was a first team All-Southland selection last year. During her two years as a Bearkat, Kolbe has totaled 745 kills and 601 digs. Sophomore Kaylee Hawkins of Dickinson was a first team All-Southland honoree as the Bearkats’ libero. She set a Southland Conference and school record with 44 digs in Sam Houston’s five-set victory over McNeese State. Hawkins ranked second in the Southland in digs per set (4.35). Hawkins’ 522 digs this year rank as the fifth highest single season total in Sam Houston history.

Carli Kolbe (6) and Kaylee Hawkins (12) are first team preseason AllSouthland Conference selections as the 2010 race begins.

The Bearkats, who have earned berths in the Southland Conference post-season tournament five of the last six seasons, will host the event at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in 2010.

Junior Kim Black of Huntsville started all but one match in 2009 and ranked third on the squad in kills (1.43). Sophomore Camille Alfaro of San Antonio Marshall started 21 matches and was a defensive presence for the Bearkats. Two other returning players were starters for the Kats before injuries cut short their seasons. Both were granted medical redshirts in 2009. Junior Kym Loving of Cypress ranks ninth in career assists at Sam Houston (1,542) and will look to return to action as the starting setter this fall. Freshman Kelli Stewart of Magnolia totaled 67 kills in eight matches before her injury. She brings a power game to the Kat front line. Also back are junior outside hitters Jamie Kaleh of Magnolia and Courtney Laskowski of Poth and sophomore defensive specialist Jamie Haas of Deer Park. “While we don’t have any seniors, we have a solid group of juniors to whom the team will look for leadership,” Gray said. “It’s been my experience that a lot of players really come into their own during their junior season. Juniors usually are hungry and they’re experienced enough not to hit the panic mode when things get tight.” Beginning her 27th season as Sam Houston head coach, Gray is one of only 27 active head coaches in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball to post more than 500 career victories. Heading the Bearkat program, Gray has a record of 542 wins and 381 losses. “The most important thing our girls need to remember this year is that the season is a marathon, not a sprint,” Gray said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.” A solid group of newcomers will help the Bearkats fill the void. Samantha West, a 6-2 sophomore transfer from Navarro Junior College and 5-11 freshmen Tarona Williams from Fresno Hightower and Haley Neisler from Flower Mound Marcus join the squad as middle blockers. Lauren Bohlen from San Antonio O’Connor and 6-0 transfer Brittany Hoag from Arkansas State look to compete for playing time. Lefty opposite Amber Bain from Louise adds a different flair to the squad. Huntsville product Tayler Gray, a 5-8 freshman, will step in as a utility player and setter. Gray is the head coach’s daughter. “We’re excited about our new players and think we’ve signed some talented athletes who will help us,” Gray said. Sam Houston will start the 2010 volleyball season with the annual Comfort Suites Bearkat Classic August 27 and 28 at Johnson Coliseum. www.gobearkats.com 9

Head Coach Brenda Gray Brenda Gray is one of only 27 active head coaches in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball to post more than 500 career victories. In her 26 seasons heading the Bearkat program, Gray has a record of 542 wins and 381 losses. Gray’s accomplishments as Sam Houston State Head Coach include: * NCAA Division I national playoffs (1993 and 1996); * Volleyball National Invitational Championship tournament appearance (1994); * NCAA Division II Final Four (1984 and 1985); * Southland Conference champions (1993); * Gulf Star Conference champions (1984 and 1985); * Southland Conference Post-Season Tournament champions (1993 and 1996); * SLC Western Division champions (1994); * Southland Conference Post-Season Tournament No. 1 seed and tournament host (1993 and 1994). Gray has coached two NCAA All-Americans, seven NCAA AllRegion players and 34 All-Conference players who have earned that honor a total of 57 times. Gray was named as Southland Conference volleyball “Coach of the Year” in both 1987 and 1993 and was named “Coach of the Year” in the Gulf Star Conference in 1984. In Sam Houston’s 24 years at the NCAA Division I level, Gray’s teams have won 22 regular season major college tournament team championships and have finished either first or second in the Southland Conference nine times. Gray was named as Sam Houston State volleyball head coach in 1984 after serving as a graduate assistant at SHSU and as head coach of the girls’ athletic program at Bastrop High School. An outstanding player at Humble High School, Gray played two years at Lee Junior College before transferring to Sam Houston State.

As a Bearkat, she helped lead Sam Houston to a 93-31 record in 1980 and 1981. She received her Bachelor of Education degree in 1982 and her Master of Education degree in 1983. While a student, she was named to “Who’s Who Among University and College Students,” was a member of the Golden Key Honor Societyand received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Physical Education and the Margaret Powell Award for Professional Excellence. Gray and her husband, Tim, have a son, Timothy (25), a daughter, Tayler (18) and a grandson, Boston, born in September, 2008, to Timothy and his wife Devon. Timothy was a four-year baseball letterman for Sam Houston, earning his Bachelor’s degree in biology (pre-med). Following graduation, he signed a pro contract to pitch for the Dodgers and served as a graduate assistant coach for SHSU baseball. Tayler played volleyball and softball for the Huntsville Hornets and joins the Bearkat volleyball squad this fall as a freshman.

Sam Houston Director of Athletics Bobby Williams presents Brenda Gray with a plaque commemorating her 500th career victory on Sept. 15, 2007

NCAA DIVISION I WINNINGEST ACTIVE HEAD COACHES

Head Coach Brenda Gray with her son Timothy and his wife Devon, daughter Tayler, grandson Boston and husband Tim.

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Rank Coach 1 Dave Shoji 2 Russ Rose 3 Mike Hebert 4 Kathy Gregory 5 Mick Haley 6 John Dunning 7 Karen Chisum 8 Mary Wise 9 Brian Gimmillaro 10 Bob Bertucci 11 Matt Peck 12 Jill Hirschinger 13 Judy Green 14 Chris Poole 15 Joe Sagula 16 Carolyn Condit 17 Debbie Brown 18 Brenda Gray 19 Jeff Mozzochi 20 Pete Waite

University Years Hawaii 35 Penn St. 31 Minnesota 34 UC Santa Barbara 35 Southern California 26 Stanford 25 Texas St. 30 Florida 23 Long Beach 25 Temple 31 Mid Tennessee 26 New Hampshire 31 Alabama 24 Florida St. 23 North Carolina 29 Miami (OH) 30 Notre Dame 25 Sam Houston 26 Portland St 24 Wisconsin 22

Won 1015 999 865 831 748 699 697 685 678 661 657 639 622 602 599 570 562 542 529 522

Lost 177 159 366 370 191 147 447 130 163 360 243 444 289 242 385 427 253 381 269 202

Pct. .852 .863 .703 .692 .797 .826 .609 .840 .806 .647 .730 .590 .683 .713 .609 .572 .690 .587 .663 .721

Joe Lind Assistant Coach

Ellen Andrews Graduate Assistant

Joe Lind has served the past three seasons as assistant volleyball coach, helping direct the Bearkats to the Southland Conference postseason tournament each year. Last year, Sam Houston posted its first 20-victory season since the 1996. The Kats finished Southland Conference play as runners-up in the West Division with a 12-4 league mark. Sam Houston went undefeated at home in Johnson Coliseum in conference play. Prior to the start of the season, Lind’s efforts in recruiting were recognized nationally as Sam Houston was named by PrepVolleyball. Com for one of the top freshman classes in NCAA Division I in 2009. Lind came to Sam Houston after serving two seasons as the volunteer assistant at North Dakota State University. He helped lead the team to a third place finish in the 2006 NCAA Division I independent championships as well as the squad’s best victory total in North Dakota State’s third year as an NCAA Division I competitor. Lind played for the NDSU men’s volleyball club on two consecutive Northern Intercolliegiate Volleyball Conference consolation silver division championship while earning All-Conference honors three times. As captain of the team, he led the squad to their best finishes at the NIRSA National Club Championship. He received his bachelor’s degree in human performance from North Dakota State in 2005 and received a Master of Science in Exercise Science from NDSU in December 2009. Lind has coached numerous clinics and camps including USA Volleyball’s High Performance camp in Colorado Spring.

Ellen Andrews, a former Augustana College all-star player, will join the Sam Houston volleyball staff as graduate assistant this fall. The Bancroft, Ne. native played in 122 matches for the Augustana Vikings, where she finished fifth all-time in kills (1,328), while compiling a .269 hitting percentage and 299 total blocks as a right side hitter. During her time at Augustana, the Vikings qualified for the NCAA Division II central regional volleyball championships three years. For her efforts, Andrews was named All-NCC Honorable Mention in 2006, All-NCC First Team in 2007, as well as All-NSIC Second Team in 2008. She was also named to the 2008 Daktronics, Inc. All-Central Region Volleyball Second Team. Andrews was graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.97 grade point average while earning degrees in Exercise Science and Fitness Management. Because of this, she was a four-time Academic All-NCC/NSIC selection, as well as a two-time CoSIDA Academic AllDistrict First Team selection. At the end of her career, she received the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award. Most recently, Andrews has been the assistant for the Nebraska Elite L.O.D. club volleyball team, which recently qualified in the 17 Open division for the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in Reno, Nevada this summer. In addition, Andrews assisted with several USA Volleyball high performance tryouts in 2010. Andrews will be working toward a Master of Arts in Exercise Science while at Sam Houston State.

SAM HOUSTON 2009 VOLLEYBALL STATISTICS

Player Carli Kolbe Anna Ferguson Kim Black Camille Alfaro Jamie Kaleh Kelli Stewart Becky Swann Michelle Miller Katie Phillips Kym Loving Shamira Washington Kaylee Hawkins Courtney Laskowski Jamie Haas Sam Houston....................... Opponents............................

MP 34 34 34 33 30 10 25 31 34 9 28 34 30 29 34 34

Sets 126 128 117 102 85 38 49 108 110 30 51 120 95 85 131 131

-----------------Attack---------------Kills Errors Attacks Pct. 461 233 1406 .162 456 142 1122 .280 167 77 413 .218 130 91 455 .086 89 53 313 .115 67 48 224 .085 62 22 174 .230 49 16 106 .168 44 30 184 .076 21 3 57 .316 12 2 26 .385 8 8 55 .000 5 5 29 .000 0 2 5 -.400 1571 733 4660 .180 1567 694 4647 .188

2010 Volleyball Stefanie Douglas Volunteer Assistant Stefanie Douglas serves as a volunteer assistant for the Bearkats. She was a four-year letter winner at outside hitter and middle blocker at the University of Florida, playing on nationally ranked Gator squads. For the past two years, she has been varsity assistant coach at Groesbeck High School, helping lead the Goats to the regional semifinals in 2008. She taught kindergarten at Groesbeck Elementary. A native of Belton, she is a 2008 graduate of Florida with dual degrees in family and community health and criminology. She is teaching this year at Samuel Houston Elementary. Matt Cash Student Manager Matt Cash, a junior at Sam Houston State University this year, serves as student manager for the 2010 volleyball team. He is a graduate of West Brook High School and, last year, coached the SHSU women’s club volleyball team. His squad qualified for the SIVA conference playoffs. His mother, Jana Russell Cash, played volleyball at Sam Houston with Bearkat head coach Brenda Gray. Cash is an education major. He is an avid sand volleyball player.

Season: Won 20, Lost 14 Southland Conference: Won 9, Lost 7

Assists 17 12 6 16 7 3 0 1059 25 278 1 18 15 10 1467 1468

----Serve---Aces Errors 24 48 28 68 0 2 11 38 17 28 5 10 0 0 13 6 20 33 5 6 4 4 32 24 6 7 8 10 173 284 160 249

Reception Errors 35 6 3 23 9 5 0 1 3 3 5 31 5 16 159 173

Digs 331 120 39 193 80 60 10 245 77 81 35 522 130 155 2078 2011

Blocks Solo Assist 7 56 8 113 6 87 5 23 0 9 3 14 2 15 3 46 3 67 3 13 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 40 446 53 480

Total 63 121 93 28 9 17 17 49 70 16 0 2 1 0 263 293

Points 520 549 217 158 111 82 72 88 101 36 16 41 12 8 2007 2020

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Meet the Bearkats

Kym

Kim

LOVING

BLACK

Setter 5-9 Junior-2L Houston Cypress Springs High School

Middle Blocker 5-11 Junior-2L Huntsville Huntsville High School

SAM HOUSTON Injured in the ninth match of the 2009 season and sat out the rest of the year ... totaled 278 assists including season best of 57 against Southern Utah ... played in 71 matches during her three years at Sam Houston, starting 45 times ... ranks ninth in career assists at SHSU (1,542) ... ranked 8th in the Southland in 2008 (1,059 assists) ... 2008 season highs included 63 assists in victory over A&M-Corpus Christi and 25 digs in post-season tournament win over SFA ... as a freshman in 2007, played in 28 matches, starting three times ... posted 205 assists including season high 28 in victory over Texas Southern ... three-time Southland Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll member with 3.62 overall grade point average ... finance major. CYPRESS SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Three-time All-District and twice team Most Valuable Player for Coach Ashley Hardin at Cypress Springs ... played for Texas Tornado club team ... participated in Junior Olympics in 2004 ... National Honor Society member.

SAM HOUSTON Started in all but one match as a sophomore for the Bearkats ... third on the squad in kills with 167 (1.43 per set) ... posted four double digit kill performances including a season best of 14 in five-set home victory over A&M-Corpus Christi ... second on the team in blocks (93) ... her eight blocks in UTSA victory tied as the season best for the Kats ... appeared in eight matches as a true freshman in 2008 ... totaled 11 kills and posted .261 hitting percentage ... two-time Southland Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll selection with 3.18 overall GPA ... accounting major. HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Three-time All-District performer and four-year starter for head coach Debbie Hightower at Huntsville High School ... four-time Academic All-District selection ... member, National Honor Society ... team “Most Valuable Player” after leading Hornets to the state playoffs ... team reached regional semi-finals ... played club volleyball for Brazos Valley Juniors in 2006-07 and Houston Juniors in 2007-08

HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY: “This is Kym’s team to lead. She was doing a great job running the floor for us last year before the injury. She learned a lot on the sidelines, helping our freshman setter. We need her to come back strong and be a difference-maker for us.”

HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY: “Kim has gotten stronger and has become a more versatile player. She has a natural knack for the ball. Most important, she’s hungry. She plays with a lot of confidence and can be a main force for us this fall.”

CAREER STATISTICS

Year 2007 2008 2009 Totals

MP 28 34 9 71

GP 72 126 30 228

Kills 19 62 21 102

Errors 2 25 3 30

Attempts 79 217 57 363

Pct. Aces .236 10 .171 20 .316 4 .192 34

Digs 98 274 81 453

Assists 205 1059 278 1542

Year 2008 2009 Totals

MP 5 34 39

Sets 8 117 125

Kills 11 167 178

Errors 5 77 82

Major: Finance Birthday: April 5, 1989

Major: Accounting Birthday: December 22, 1989

Favorites Pro Athlete: Emmitt Smith Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys Movie: “Pirates of the Caribbean” Actress: Kate Hudson Music: Country Musician: Carrie Underwood Book: “Pride and Prejudice” TV Show: “Gilmore Girls” Food: Lasagna City: Houston Vacation Spot: Sam Rayburn Lake Holiday: Thanksgiving Hobbies: Shopping Color: Blue Strangest nickname: Kymbo Prized possession: My car I’m at SHSU because: Good education, close to family, playing volleyball

Favorites Pro Athlete: Brett Bavre Movie: “The Blind Side” Actor: Jim Carey / Sandra Bullock Music: Country Musician: Taylor Swift Book: The “Twilight” series TV Show: “Sponge Bob” Food: Italian City: New Braunfels Vacation Spot: Florida Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Volleyball Color: Purple Strangest nickname: Muffin top Prized possession: Quilt I made with my grandmother I’m at SHSU because: The volleyball program and the education

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Attempts Pct. Aces 23 .261 0 413 .218 6 436 .220 6

Digs Blocks 3 0 39 93 42 93

Meet the Bearkats

Jamie

Carli

KALEH

KOLBE

Outside Hitter / Defensive Specialist 5-8 Junior-2L Magnolia Magnolia High School

Outside Hitter 5-11 Junior-2L College Station A&M Consolidated High School

SAM HOUSTON Two-year letter winner who has played in 64 matches in her career ... totaled 89 kills, 80 digs and 17 aces in 30 matches in 2009 ... started nine times ... played in all 34 matches as a true freshman in 2008 ... started six times ... posted season totals of 217 digs and 22 service aces ... career bests include 14 kills in road victory over Northwestern State in 2010 and 20 digs against Long Island as a freshman ... twotime Southland Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll member with 3.28 overall grade point average ... marketing major MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL All-District and All-Montgomery County selection for Coach Terri Johnson at Magnolia High School ... versatile athlete who played outside hitter and libero ... helped lead squad to three consecutive district championships ... played club volleyball for Tornados and Texas Elite ... regional qualifier in track and field ... Academic All-District in both volleyball and track and field ... political science major. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Jamie is a tremendous athlete who can be a spark for us. She has the quickness and athleticism to succeed. With two years of experience she has the tools to step up and help us as a junior.” MP 34 30 64

Sets 124 85 209

A&M CONSOLIDATED Three-time All-District and All-Brazos Valley selection for head coach Adam Cornell at A&M Consolidated ... District and team “Most Valuable Player” as a senior ... qualified for Junior Olympics four times ... played club volleyball for Texas Tornados. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Carli is one of the strongest players we’ve had at Sam Houston. If she can help elevate everyone on the team to her level, we can accomplish a lot. We’re counting on her to be one of our leaders.” CAREER STATISTICS

CAREER STATISTICS Year 2008 2009 Totals

SAM HOUSTON First team All-Southland Conference as a sophomore in 2009 ... earned Southland “Offensive Player of the Week” honors on Oct. 5, 2009 ... third in the league in kills (3.66 per set) ... started every match, posting double figure kills in 26 times and double digit digs in 20 contests ... played in all 68 matches for Sam Houston the past two years ... career totals include 745 kills, 601 digs and 40 double figure kill matches ... career best single match performances include 28 kills in win over Texas State and 26 in victory over SFA in 2010 and 24 digs in 2009 win over McNeese ... ranked third on the 2008 squad in kills (284) and digs (270) and leading the team in aces (41) ... had 14 double figure kill matches

Kills 16 89 105

Errors 30 53 83

Attempts Pct. 136 -.103 313 .115 449 .049

Aces 22 17 39

Digs Blocks 217 15 80 7 297 22

Year 2008 2009 Totals

MP 34 34 68

Sets 127 126 253

Kills 284 461 745

Errors 189 233 422

Attempts 933 1406 2339

Major: Sports Marketing Birthday: December 17, 1989

Major: Kinesiology Birthday: April 17, 1990

Favorites Pro Athlete: Venus Williams Pro Team: New England Patriots Movie: “She’s the Man” Actor: John Travolta Music: Everything Musician: Clay Walker Book: “Stumbling on Happiness” TV Show: “House Wives of Orange County” Food: Seafood City: Crested Butte Vacation Spot: Bahamas Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Horseback riding, skiing Color: Blue

Favorites Pro Athlete: Brett Farve Pro Team: The Lakers Movie: “The Notebook” Actor: Sandra Bullock Music: Country Musician: George Strait Book: “Lance Armstrong” TV Show: “The Bachelor” Food: Queso dip City: College Station Vacation Spot: Mountain Home Holiday: Valentine’s Day Hobbies: Sports Color: Yellow

Strangest nickname: Elbows Prized possession: My horse I’m at SHSU because: Really liked the environment and the location

Strangest nickname: Corky Prized possession: My puggy Tucker Bear I’m at SHSU because: I feel like I fit in here and it’s close to home

Pct. Aces .102 16 .162 24 .138 40

Digs Blocks 270 51 331 63 601 114

www.gobearkats.com 13

Meet the Bearkats

Courtney

Camille

LASKOWSKI

ALFARO

Setter / Right Side 5-9 Junior-2L Poth Poth High School

Outside Hitter 5-10 Sophomore-1L San Antonio Marshall High School

SAM HOUSTON Two-year letter winner playing in 59 matches during her career ... averaged 1.37 digs per set as a back row reserve in 2009 ... season bests included 11 digs in five set victories over both Louisiana-Lafayette and Stephen F. Austin ... played in 29 matches as a true freshman ... averaged 1.82 digs per set with 169 season total ... produced career best 21 digs in four-set match with Texas State in 2008 ... two-time Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll member with 3.69 overall grade point average ... mass communications major POTH HIGH SCHOOL All-State Tournament, All-Region, and All-District for head coach Patti Zenner at Poth High School ... led team to state championship ... also lettered in softball and track and field ... played club volleyball for Wilson County Juniors ... National Honor Society member, honor student, and class vice president. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Courtney always provides lots of energy on the floor. She is a very athletic left-hander who plays with no fear. She doesn’t let pressure get to her. We are looking for her to help run the floor with Kym.”

CAREER STATISTICS Year 2008 2009 Totals

MP 29 30 59

Sets 93 95 188

Kills 8 5 13

Errors 23 5 28

Attempts 75 29 104

Pct. -.200 .000 -140

Aces 23 15 38

Digs Blocks 217 3 130 15 347 18

SAM HOUSTON Started in 21 matches and saw action as a reserve in 12 others as a true freshman in 2009 ... ranked fourth on the squad in kills (1.27 per set) ... posted five double digit kills performances including a season best of 13 in five-set home victory over UTSA ... totaled 193 digs (1.89 per set) with match high of 21 in five-set home victory over SFA ... general studies major MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL Three-time All-District 28-5A first team selection for coach Jennifer Woods at Marshall High School ... ranked No. 3 in the San Antonio area in kills per set in 2008 with 5.00 average ... led Marshall to the state playoffs in 2006 and 2007 ... team “Most Valuable Player” as a senior ... played for Alamo volleyball club, leading squad to Vegas Classic title ... three-time Academic All-District selection ... student class officer and Homecoming Queen ... also lettered in basketball, track and softball. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Camille has all the tools. She reads the ball well and is a defensive presence for us. She missed most of the spring with an injury. We need her to fight for a spot on the outside.” CAREER STATISTICS Year 2009

MP 33

Sets 102

Kills 130

Errors 91

Major: Mass Communications Birthday: June 17, 1990

Major: Management Birthday: May 13, 1991

Favorites Pro Athlete: Dustin Pedroia Pro Team: Boston Red Sox Movie: “Troy” Actress: Christian Bale Music: Country Musician: Bon Jovi Book: “The Shack” TV Show: “O’Rielly Factor” Food: Peanut butter City: Koscvisko Vacation Spot: The beach Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Photography Color: Red

Favorites Pro Athlete: Alex Rodriquez Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys Movie: “Remember the Titans” Actor: Adam Sandler Music: Country Musician: Taylor Swift Book: “Harry Potter” TV Show: “Chelsea Lately” Food: Chicken City: Austin Vacation Spot: The beach Holiday: Thanksgiving Color: Yellow

Strangest nickname: K. Polo Prized possession: Picture of my Popo I’m at SHSU because: I love the school and the volleyball program

14 www.gobearkats.com

Attempts Pct. Aces 455 .086 0

Strangest nickname: Chamillionaire Prized possession: Cell phone I’m at SHSU because: The great education as well as playing the sport I love.

Digs Blocks 193 16

Meet the Bearkats

Jamie

Kaylee

HAAS

HAWKINS

Defensive Specialist / Libero 5-3 Sophomore-1L Deer Park Deer Park High School

Outside hitter 5-9 Freshman Dickinson Dickinson High School

SAM HOUSTON Appeared in 29 matches as a defensive specialist as a true freshman in 2009 ... totaled 155 digs in 85 sets (1.82 average) ... posted seven double digit dig performances including season best of 16 in five-set home victory over the University of Houston ... Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll member with 3.51 overall grade point average ... biology major DEER PARK HIGH SCHOOL Two-time All-District 22-5A libero on back-to-back district champions for coach Gay Sabatell ... led Deer Park to 25-15 season record and the second round of the Texas Class 5A playoffs ... Academic All-State and All-District selection ... recognized as Deer Park’s “Most Valuable Defensive Player” as senior ... also starter on softball team, hitting .316 as a senior ... played for Ava 18 Attack club team, winning bronze medals at Junior Olympics in 2004 and 2005 ... National Honor Society member.

SAM HOUSTON First team All-Southland Conference libero as a true freshman in 2009 ... ranked third in the Southland in digs with 4.28 average ... two-time Southland “Defensive Player of the Week” ... her move to libero corresponded with a surge of victories as Bearkats rolled up 11-match winning streak, the longest for SHSU since 1993 ... totaled 24 double digit dig matches including school record 44 in five-set victory over A&MCorpus Christi ... performance also was season best in the Southland ... her 522 digs in 2009 rank as the fifth highest season total in Bearkat annals ... Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll member with 3.34 overall grade point average ... accounting major DICKINSON HIGH SCHOOL Four-time All-District 24-5A selection for coach Mitzi Matthews ... led Dickinson to 32-6 record in 2008 ... All-County and Academic All-State ... National Honor Society member ... played for Absolute Volleyball Academy of Texas 18 Performance club team, the Junior Olympics Under 18 national titlist in 2009

HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Jamie is a very team-oriented player who had a good spring and appears more comfortable on the court. She reads very well and we look for her to help solidify our defense.”

HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “After earning All-Southland honors as a freshman, the sky is the limit for Kaylee. She had a great year in 2009. She has an uncanny knack to get the ball right to target. She will be on the floor somewhere.”

CAREER STATISTICS

Year 2009

MP 29

Sets 85

Kills 0

Errors 2

Attempts Pct. 5 ---

Aces 8

Digs Blocks 155 10

Year 2009

MP 34

Sets 120

Kills 8

Errors 8

Attempts Pct. 55 .000

Major: Biology Birthday: October 23, 1990

Major: General Studies Birthday: Sept. 7, 1990

Favorites Pro Athlete: David Beckham Pro Team: Houston Astros Movie: “Dodge Ball” Actor: Will Ferrell Music: Hip-hop, country Musician: Rascal Flatts TV Shows: “Gossip Girl” and “One Tree Hill” Food: Seafood City: New York City Vacation Spot: Cozumel Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Tubing, wake boarding Color: Yellow

Favorites Pro Team: Philadelphia Eagles Movie: “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” Music: All kinds Musician: Kanye West Book: “A Child Called It” TV Shows: “The Real World” Food: Fettuccine Alfredo City: Atlanta Vacation spot: Florida Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Watching movies Color: Yellow

Strangest nickname: J-Mo Prized possession: Junior Olympic medals I’m at SHSU because: Chance to play the sport I love while earning a degree

Aces 32

Digs Blocks 522 18

I’m at SHSU because: I love the school and the volleyball program

www.gobearkats.com 15

Meet the Bearkats

Kelli

Amber

STEWART

BAIN

Right Side / Outside Hitter 6-1 Redshirt Freshman Magnolia Magnolia High School

Right Side / Outside Hitter 5-11 Freshman Louise Louise High School

SAM HOUSTON Started eight matches and played in two others before a seasonending injury in 2009 ... totaled 67 kills (1.76 per set) ... named alltournament at the Comfort Suites Invitational ... posted three double digit kill matches including season best of 14 kills in five-set victory over Houston ... transferred from TCU, attending the university during the 2009 spring semester MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL Texas Class 4A All-State selection, leading greater Houston in kills with more than 600 as a senior ... three-time first team All-District 184A for coach Terri Johnson at Magnolia ... led squad to 37-14 record and the state tournament ... Montgomery County Volleyball “Player of the Year” and first team All-Houston ... United States Volleyball Association development national team member ... played in the THSCA all-star game ... transfer from TCU, attending the university during the spring semester. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Kelli brings big power to floor for us. She can be a dynamite player before she’s done here. With her court presence and tremendous power she can bring more balance to our attack .”

SAM HOUSTON A left-handed hitter who brings athleticism to the floor for the Bearkats ... agriculture/animal science major. LOUISE HIGH SCHOOL All-State, All-Region and three-time All-District performer for coach Bryan Branch ... totaled 1,446 kills, 604 blocks, 314 digs and 111 aces during her high school career ... named “Most Valuable Player” at the 2009 Texas Class 1A state tournament after leading Louise to the state championship ... played for Texstar volleyball club ... versatile athlete who also earned all-district and all-state honors in track and field and basketball ... led basketball team to district title and state semi-finals ... named district “Defensive Player of the Year” ... regional champion in track, competing in the hurdles, long jump, triple jump and relays ... graduated fourth in her class ... academic all-district selection and National Honor Society president. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “We are extremely excited to have Amber join our Bearkat Volleyball program. She epitomizes what we are looking for in a student athlete - hard working and dedicated in the classroom and on the court. A left-hander, she is extremely athletic. As she adjusts to the speed of the college game, she will be an asset for us.”

CAREER STATISTICS Year 2009

MP 10

Sets 38

Kills 67

Errors 48

Attempts Pct. Aces 224 .085 5

Digs Blocks 60 17

Major: Business Birthday: April 27, 1991

Major: Animal science Birthday: March 12, 1992

Favorites Pro Athlete: Kobie Bryant Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys Movie: “Wedding Crashers” and “Varsity Blues” Actress: Cameron Diaz Music: Country, rap Musician: Eli Young band, Lil Wayne Book: “One Fish, Two Fish Red Fish, Love Fish” Dr. Seuss TV Show: “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Sports Center” Food: Any desert City: Shiro, Tx Vacation Spot: Rockport Holiday: Halloween Hobbies: “Madden” or “Gator Wrestling” Color: Aqua

Favorites Pro Athlete: Misty May Pro Team: San Antonio Spurs Movie: “The Ugly Truth” Actress: Jennifer Aniston Music: Country Musician: Lady Antebellum Book: “Twilight” series TV Show: “Gilmore Girls” Food: Enchiladeas City: San Antonio Vacation Spot: Mexico Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Riding horses Color: Blue

Prized possession: Spelling bee trophy I’m at SHSU because: Close to home and my parents and brothers were athletes here

16 www.gobearkats.com

Strangest nickname: Ambo Prized possession: State medal I’m at SHSU because: I like the town, the campus and the people

Meet the Bearkats

Lauren

Tayler

BOHLEN

GRAY

Outside Hitter 6-0 Freshman San Antonio O’Connor High School

Setter 5-8 Freshman Huntsville Huntsville High School

SAM HOUSTON A hard worker with a heavy arm swing and powerful jump serve who is expected to contribute as a freshman ... animal science major.

SAM HOUSTON

O’CONNOR HIGH SCHOOL All-District outside hitter for coach Yamilet Garcia ... named to LoneStarVolleyball.com All-Texas team ... led squad to three consecutive district titles and area finals appearances ... reached the Texas Class 5A regional finals in 2009, losing to eventual state runner-up ... avaerged 2.5 kills per set as a senior ... played for Alamo Volleyball Association club team along with Bearkat sophomore Camille Alfaro ... her 2010 club team qualified for the Junior Olympic Championships in Reno, Nev. in the 18 open division ... club won the 2008 Lone Star national qualifier championship ... averaged 4.1 kills and 1.6 blocks per set for her club in 2009 ... Academic All-District and All-State selection ... National Honor Socieity and Math Honor Society member.

head coach Brenda Gray ... nursing major.

HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “What a pleasant addition to our program. Lauren has done everything we’ve asked and more. She has a tremendous work ethic. She will add to our depth this year on the outside. She comes from well known and respected high school and club programs.”

Enrolled at Sam Houston in January, 2010 after high school graduation... athletic setter with good fundamentals ... daughter of Bearkat

HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Two-time first team all-district setter and libero at Huntsville High School ... second team all-district as a sophomore ... team “Most Valuable Player” as a senior for the Hornets ... All-Tournament twice at Santa Fe Invitational ... led team to regional semifinals ... also played basketball and softball ... National Honor Society member HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Tayler is a team-oriented play who is a true Bearkat. She literally has grown up with Sam Houston volleyball and its a thrill for both of us to see her in Orange and White. She doesn’t want to let a ball hit the floor and will be a utility player for us. It is going to be interesting coaching her.”

Major: Animal science Birthday: March 9, 1992

Major: Nursing Birthday: January 24, 1992

Favorites Pro Athlete: Tony Romo Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys Movie: “The Hangover” Actor: Adam Sandler Music: Country Musician: Casey Donahew Band, Book: “Pride and Prejudice” TV Show: Don’t have one Food: Barbeque City: San Antonio Vacation Spot: Florida Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Hunting, fishing Color: Blue

Favorites Pro Athlete: Rafael Nadal Pro Team: Boston Red Sox Movie: “New Moon” Actress: Julia Roberts Music: Alternative rock Musician: “Hootie & the Blow Fish” Book: “Twilight” series TV Show: ESPN Food: Italian City: Destin, Fl. Vacation Spot: Destin, Fl. Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Snow boarding Color: Pink

Strangest nickname: L-Money, L-Bo Prized possession: My truck I’m at SHSU because: Great volleyball program and the university is a good fit for me

Strangest nickname: Tay Tay Prized possession: Being an aunt I’m at SHSU because: I love Sam Houston

www.gobearkats.com 17

Meet the Bearkats

Brittany

Haley

HOAG

NEISLER

Outside Hitter 6-0 Sophomore Crosby Crosby High School

Middle Blocker 5-11 Freshman Flower Mound Marcus High School

SAM HOUSTON Transfer from Arkansas State who brings addition power outside for the Bearkats in 2010 ... has three years to play for Sam Houston ... nutrition major.

SAM HOUSTON Enrolled at Sam Houston in January, 2010 after high school graduation... comes from strong high school and club team ... general studies major.

ARKANSAS STATE Led the Red Wolves to 22-11 record in 2009, totaling 296 kills and 60 blocks ... redshirt as a freshman in 2008

MARCUS HIGH SCHOOL Middle blocker from Flower Mound Marcus High School ... earned All-District 6-5A honors and was district “Offensive Player of the Year” after leading her squad to the Class 5A regional finals ... team captain as a senior and also earned Academic All-District ... second team AllDistrict selection as a junior ... played for Texas Advantage volleyball club in Fort Worth ... earned All Texas team special recognition from LoneStarVolleyball.com ... played on a squad that finished ninth at junior Olympics ... club was runner-up in the 18 Club division at the Lone Star Classic ... played with fellow Bearkat freshman Elyse Burkert ... played at Marcus High School for former Sam Houston State Bearkat volleyball play Cristie Selfridge Liles.

CROSBY HIGH SCHOOL Four-year varsity standout and two-year team captain at Crosby for coach Stephanie Cone ... earned first -team All-District honors all four years ... offensive player of the year 2006 and 2007... broke school record for kills ... totaled 370 kills for .204 hitting percentage as a senior ... District “Most Valuable Player” in 2007... earned Houston Chronicle Player of the Week honors in 2007 ... Baytown Sun Player of the Year 2007 ... played for Willowbrook AVA and Houston Select club teams ... member of National English and Science Honor Society and National Honor Society ... also played softball, soccer and ran track. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Brittany has a high volleyball IQ and the right mentality for the game. She is still coming into her own as a player. She is a good blocker and will fight playing time on the outside or the right.”

HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Haley knows the game well and runs a great slide. She is a good, agile middle blocker. An athletic player with good quickness, she comes from strong high school and club programs and will be an asset for us this fall.”

Major: Nutrition Birthday: March 1, 1990

Major: General studies Birthday: November 6, 1991

Favorites Pro Athlete: Misty May Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys Movie: “The Hangover” Actress: Cameron Diaz Music: Texas country Musician: Kevin Fowler Book: “Twilight” series TV Show: “Sports Center” Food: Mexican City: New York, Austin Vacation Spot: Cancun, Mexico Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Sports Color: Blue

Favorites Pro Athlete: Misty May Pro Team: Kansas City Chiefs Movie: “Remember the Titans” Actress: Rachel McAdams Music: Rap and hip hop Musician: Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi Book: “The Great Gatsby” TV Show: “Real World” “The Buried Life” Food: Chips and salsa City: New York Vacation Spot: Florida Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Music, wakeboarding Color: Purple

Strangest nickname: None Prized possession: Cell phone I’m at SHSU because: Love the coaches and team and my degree is here.

Strangest nickname: Bugg Prized possession: Cell phone I’m at SHSU because: Love the campus and the volleyball team and want an education

18 www.gobearkats.com

Meet the Bearkats

Samantha

Tarona

WEST

WILLIAMS

Middle Blocker 6-2 Sophomore Bridge City Bridge City High School

Middle blocker 5-11 Freshman Fresno Hightower High School

SAM HOUSTON Late signee with Bearkats, inking letter-of-intent in July ... her signing helped fill a void in the middle for the Kats. NAVARRO COLLEGE Starter for Navarro as a freshman in 2009 for coach Kristee Porter, playing on squad that posted 15 victories ... led the Bulldogs in blocks per match (5.0) and also posted 2.3 kills per set ... Dean’s List student in junior college

SAM HOUSTON Talented athlete with tremendous vertical leap and excellent quickness who will be an asset in the middle ... physics major. HIGHTOWER HIGH SCHOOL All-district middle blocker at Hightower ... averaged 3.9 kills per set as a senior ... played for Southwest Heat club team ... also lettered in basketball and track and field and was a cheerleader ... National Honor

BRIDGE CITY First team All-District 21-3A middle blocker as a junior and senior at Bridge City High School ... also earned All-Orange County honors ... played for head coach Becca Mathews ... outstanding student as well, earning Academic All-State honors ... played for Tri-City and Christian Community volleyball clubs ... also played basketball in high school HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “As she adjusts to the speed of NCAA Division I volleyball, Sam will be an asset for us in the middle. She definitely will help us defensively with her presence on the floor as a blocker. Her signing this summer helped us fill a void. With a year of experience at Navarro and her size, she will be huge for our team this fall,”

Major: Nursing/physical therapy Birthday: February 23, 1991 Favorites Pro Athlete: Misty May Pro Teams: Rangers, Cowboys, Lakers Movie: “A Walk to Remember” Actress: Cameron Diaz, Chad Michael Murry Music: Texas Country, Hip-hop Musician: Randy Rogers and Kyle Park TV Show: “Jersey Shore,” “The Hills” Food: Oranges City: Panama City Vacation Spot: Panama City Holiday: Christmas Hobbies: Shopping, tanning Colors: Pink and yellow Strangest nickname: Mantha Prized possession: My cell phone I’m at SHSU because: “Love the program, pretty camps and it’s close to home”

Society and French Honor Society member. HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY “Tarona is a very athletic middle blocker with good foot speed and quickness. She was a late find for us in the recruiting process. She is a great athlete and an outstanding student. As she adapts to the Division I game, she will contribute to the program.”

Major: Physics Birthday: December 9, 1991 Favorites Pro Athlete: Reggie Bush Pro Team: New Orleans Saints Movie: “John Tucker Must Die” Actress: Taylor Lautner Music: Rhythm and blues Musician: Trey Songz Book: “The Great Gatsby” TV Show: “Gossip Girl” Food: Pizza City: San Francisco Vacation Spot: Florida Holiday: Thanksgiving Hobbies: Shopping Color: Blue Strangest nickname: Tarony balony Prized possession: My brother’s military dog tag I’m at SHSU because: the university is perfect for me and love joining the SHSU Family.

www.gobearkats.com 19

Bearkat Volleyball Record Book ANNUAL RECORD

POST SEASON

Year

NCAA DIVISION I PLAYOFFS 1993 Knoxville, TN (First Round) 1996 Huntsville, TX (Play-In) San Diego, CA (First Round)

Head Coach

Season Conference W-L W-L Finish TAIAW (Texas Association of Intercollegiate Athletics For Women) 1970 Jody Conradt 22-5 1971 Jody Conradt 29-7 1972 Jody Conradt 24-6 1973 Rebecca Bilsing 23-12 4th 1974 Rebecca Bilsing 27-15 6th 1975 Rebecca Bilsing 27-12 . 6th 1976 Rebecca Bilsing 25-16 6th 1977 Rebecca Bilsing 28-14 5th 1978 Melissa Stephens 50-42 6th 1979 Rebecca Bilsing 38-15 3rd 1980 Rebecca Bilsing 42-15 2nd 1981 Rebecca Bilsing 41-11 2nd

L 1-3 W 3-0 L 1-3

South Florida Ferris St. Portland St. Sacramento St. Florida International Miss. U. for Women Portland St. Nebraska-Omaha

W W L L W W L L

3-0 3-1 0-3 0-3 3-0 3-2 0-3 2-3

Connecticut CA St.-Northridge Minnesota Oregon St.

W L L L

3-0 0-3 1-3 0-3

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT (NCAA Division I) 1987 Natchitoches, LA Northwestern St. (Runner-up) Southwest Texas Texas-Arlington Southwest Texas Texas-Arlington 1988 Arlington Northeast Louisiana (Semifinals) Texas-Arlington 1989 San Marcos McNeese St. (Semifinals) Southwest Texas 1990 San Marcos Northwestern St. (Semifinals) Southwest Texas 1991 Arlington McNeese St. (Semifinals) Texas-Arlington 1992 San Antonio, TX Stephen F. Austin 1993 Huntsville, TX Texas-Arlington (Champions) Stephen F. Austin 1994 Huntsville, TX McNeese St. (Runner-up) Stephen F. Austin 1995 Nacogdoches, TX Texas-Arlington 1996 Nacogdoches, TX Texas-Arlington (Champions) Stephen F. Austin 2004 Beaumont, TX Texas-Arlington 2005 Arlington, TX Louisiana-Monroe (Semifinals) Texas-San Antonio 2007 San Antonio, TX Lamar 2008 Nacogdoches, TX Stephen F. Austin (Semifinals) TX St-San Marcos 2009 San Antonio, TX Nicholls

W W L W L W L W L W L W L L W W W L L W W L W L L W L L

3-1 3-2 0-3 3-0 1-3 3-0 0-3 3-0 1-3 3-0 2-3 3-1 1-3 0-3 3-0 3-1 3-0 2-3 1-3 3-2 3-1 0-3 3-1 0-3 0-3 3-2 1-3 1-3

GULF STAR CONFERENCE (NCAA Division II) 1984 San Marcos Northwestern St. (Champions) Southeastern LA Southwest Texas Southwest Texas Southwest Texas 1985 Thibodaux, LA Stephen F. Austin (Champions) Southwest Texas 1986 Nacogdoches, TX Stephen F. Austin (Runner-up) Southwest Texas Stephen F. Austin Southwest Texas

W W W L W W W W L W L

3-0 3-0 3-0 2-3 3-1 3-2 3-1 3-0 0-3 3-1 0-3

NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS 1984 Lakeland, FL (Regionals) Portland, OR (Final Four) 1985 Huntsville, TX (Regionals) Portland, OR (Final Four)

NATIONAL INVITATIONAL 1994 Kansas City, KS

LONE STAR CONFERENCE (NCAA Division II) 1982 Rebecca Bilsing 55-15 1983 Rebecca Bilsing 39-13

6-2 2-3

2nd 4th

GULF STAR CONFERENCE (NCAA Division II) 1984 Brenda Gray 47-8 1985 Brenda Gray 45-8 1986 Brenda Gray 30-16

9-1 7-1 2-2

1st 1st 2nd

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE (NCAA Division I) 1987 Brenda Gray 35-9 1988 Brenda Gray 17-16 1989 Brenda Gray 25-14 1990 Brenda Gray 33-8 1991 Brenda Gray 22-14 1992 Brenda Gray 23-13 1993 Brenda Gray 25-8 1994 Brenda Gray 28-7 1995 Brenda Gray 19-15 1996 Brenda Gray 25-15 1997 Brenda Gray 12-20 1998 Brenda Gray 12-19 1999 Brenda Gray 13-15 2000 Brenda Gray 5-25 2001 Brenda Gray 12-19 2002 Brenda Gray 14-18 2003 Brenda Gray 11-18 2004 Brenda Gray 16-15 2005 Brenda Gray 17-13 2006 Brenda Gray 10-16 2007 Brenda Gray 11-19 2008 Brenda Gray 15-19 2009 Brenda Gray 20-14

8-4 4-3 6-1 6-1 7-2 8-1 8-1 12-1 12-7 12-5 7-11 9-11 9-11 4-16 8-12 7-13 8-12 10-10 14-5 5-11 5-11 9-7 12-4

2nd 4th 2nd 2nd 3rd 2nd 1st 1st 4th 2nd 7th 7th 7th 9th 7th 7th 7th 6th 2nd 9th 8th 6th 3rd

Sam Houston at the 1985 NCAA Final Four

20 www.gobearkats.com

Tennessee Grambling San Diego St.

TEAM SINGLE MATCH RECORDS KILLS 109 Baylor 102 Lamar 98 Baylor 96 Southwestern 95 Texas-Arlington

1993 1992 1992 1985 2004

H H H A H

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets

ATTEMPTS 289 Baylor 286 Baylor 277 Texas-Arlington 260 Lamar 256 Southwest Texas 256 Texas-Arlington

1993 1993 2004 1992 1995 2007

T H H H H H

5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets

ASSISTS 101 Lamar 101 Baylor 94 Southwestern 93 Baylor 91 Houston

1992 1993 1985 1993 1986

H H A T H

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets

SERVICE ACES 24 Texas-Arlington 19 Houston 18 Marist 17 Alcorn St. 16 Stephen F. Austin 16 Louisiana-Monroe

1986 2002 2007 1996 2005

T H T T A H

5 sets 5 sets 3 sets 3 sets 5 sets 4 sets

DIGS 170 Baylor 161 Lamar 143 Texas-Arlington 136 Southeastern LA 135 Houston

1993 1992 2004 2002 1986

T H H A H

5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets

TOTAL BLOCKS 23 Southwestern 21 UTSA 21 Lamar 20 Texas A&M 18 Texas A&M 18 Lamar

1985 2009 1984 1994 1985 2004

A H A H H H

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 3 sets 4 sets

POINTS Regular Scoring 74 Lamar 1993 H 5 set SHSU won 15-8 13-15 15-6 13-15 18-16 74 Texas-Arlington 1995 H 5 set SHSU lost 15-9 14-16 13-15 15-7 17-19 Rally Scoring - 30 pt set 137 Central Arkansas 2007 H 5 set SHSU won 30-18 29-31 24-30 39-37 15-11 134 A&M-Corpus Christi 2001 H 5 sets SHSU lost 27-30 30-16 30-15 27-30 20-22 Rally Scoring - 25 pt. set 113 Stephen F. Austin 2009 H 5 set SHSU won 24-26 25-22 22-25 27-25 15-11 POINTS - BOTH TEAMS Regular Scoring 150 Illinois St. 1996 T 5 sets SHSU won 9-15 9-15 17-15 15-11 23-21 144 Baylor 1993 H 5 sets SHSU lost 10-15 12-15 15-9 20-18 14-16 Rally Scoring (30 pt sets) 269 North Texas 2001 H 5 sets SHSU lost 27-30 30-26 25-30 39-37 10-15 264 Central Arkansas 2007 H 5 sets SHSU won 30-18 29-31 24-30 39-37 15-11 Rally Scoring (25 pt sets) 227 Texas St. 2008 H 5 sets SHSU won 14-25 32-30 25-21 24-26 16-14 LONGEST GAME Regular Scoring 23-21 Illinois St. 1996 T SHSU won 9-15 9-15 17-15 15-11 23-21 21-23 Lamar 1986 T SHSU lost 21-23 9-15 in 2 of 3 sets 20-18 Baylor 1988 A SHSU lost 11-15 9-15 20-18 3-15 20-18 Baylor 1993 H SHSU lost 10-15 12-15 15-9 20-18 14-16

Rally Scoring - 30 pt. set 39-37 North Texas 2001 H SHSU lost 27-30 30-26 25-30 39-37 10-15 39-37 Central Arkansas 2005 H SHSU won 30-18 29-31 24-30 39-37 15-11 37-35 Texas-Arlington 2004 H SHSU won 20-30 30-28 30-26 37-35 36-34 Arkansas St. 2005 T SHSU won 24-30 25-30 30-24 36-34 15-11 Rally Scoring - 25 pt. set 30-32 Nicholls St. 2008 H SHSU won 16-25 25-23 30-32 25-22 15-12 32-30 Texas St. 2009 H SHSU won 14-25 32-30 25-21 24-26 16-14

HIGHS BY MATCH LENGTH THREE-SET MATCH Kills: 70 Lamar Attempts: 189 Lamar Assists: 61 Ill.-Chicago Aces: 18 Marist Digs: 108 New Orleans Blocks: 18 Texas A&M

1998 1998 1993 2002 1991 1985

H H T T H H

FOUR-SET MATCH Kills: 95 Texas-Arlington Attempts: 277 Texas-Arlington Assists: 82 Texas-Arlington Aces: 16 LA-Monroe Digs: 143 Texas-Arlington Blocks: 20 Texas A&M

2004 2004 2004 2005 2004 1987

H H H H H A

FIVE-SET MATCH Kills: 109 Baylor Attempts: 289 Baylor Assists: 101 Lamar 101 Baylor Aces: 24 Texas-Arlington Digs: 170 Baylor Blocks: 23 Southwestern

1993 1993 1992 1993 1996 1993 1985

H T H H A T A

Sam Houston’s 1985 Gulf Star Conference Champions

www.gobearkats.com 21

INDIVIDUAL SINGLE MATCH RECORDS KILLS 38 Jennifer Cron 36 Bonnie Beard 36 Tracie Bendele 35 Jana Harless 34 Jana Harless 33 Sarah Womble 32 Bonnie Beard 32 Carrie Sartain 32 Carrie Sartain 31 Bonnie Beard 31 Bonnie Beard 31 Karen Zoch 31 Jana Harless 31 Cynthia Yarotsky 30 Katherine Charles 30 Bonnie Beard 30 Karen Zoch 30 Karen Zoch 30 Jana Harless

Illinois St. Lamar Lamar Stephen F. Austin Baylor Lamar Saint Mary’s McNeese St. Southeastern LA Texas A&M Southwest Texas Lamar Stephen F. Austin Central Arkansas Lamar Southwestern Houston Texas Woman’s Southwest Texas

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 3 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets

T T H T H H T A A H H T H H A A H H A

1997 1984 1997 1994 1993 1992 1984 2002 2002 1985 1985 1986 1994 2007 1984 1985 1986 1985 1994

ATTEMPTS 94 Carrie Sartain 91 Jana Harless 85 Sarah Womble 83 Carrie Sartain 82 Jana Harless 81 Carrie Sartain 80 Christi Dreier 78 Karen Zoch 77 Carli Kolbe 75 Jana Harless 75 Jennifer Cron

Southeastern LA Baylor Lamar Northwestern St. Southwest Texas Rice Baylor Houston Stephen F. Austin Stephen F. Austin Illinois St.

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets

A H H H A H T H H T T

2002 1993 1992 2002 1994 2002 1993 1986 2009 1994 1996

Top 3 Set Match Mark 60 Katrina Biggers

Texas-Pan American

3 sets

H 1998

ASSISTS 100 Rachel McFarland 98 Julie Franzen 86 Janell Cook 86 Janell Cook 86 Julie Franzen 86 Rachel McFarland 82 Rachel McFarland 79 Julie Franzen 77 Janell Cook 75 Amy Stavinoha 75 Karlee Butler

Lamar Baylor Southwestern Houston Baylor Lamar Baylor Stephen F. Austin Texas Woman’s Texas-Arlington Texas-Arlington

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets

H H A H T H H H H T H

Top 3 Set Match Mark 58 Julie Franzen

Illinois-Chicago

3 sets

T 1993

ACES 9 Kelly Hajovsky 9 Anna Ferguson 8 Jennifer Cron 8 Amy Stavinoha 8 Jennifer Henrichsen 7 Janell Cook 7 Terri Wilson 7 Amy Stavinoha

Stephen F. Austin Texas-Pan American Stephen F. Austin Texas-Arlington Florida St. Houston Houston Northeast LA

4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets

T H A T T H H H

1996 2007 1996 1996 2004 1986 1986 1996

Top 3 Set Match Mark 6 Trina Davis 6 Chelsea Johnson 6 Jennifer Henrichsen 6 Rhae Walderman 6 Megan McNamara

Western Illinois Marist Louisiana-Monroe Southeastern LA Lamar

3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets

T T A H H

1984 2002 2004 2005 2005

1992 1993 1985 1986 1993 1990 1992 1994 1986 1996 2004

DIGS 44 Kaylee Hawkins 43 Emily Orlowski 39 Cynthia Yarotsky 38 Melissa Sims 38 Kaylee Hawkins 37 Christi Dreier 35 Jennifer Henrichsen 34 Melissa Sims 34 Melissa Sims 33 Rebecca Bailey 33 Candy Collins 32 Yolanda Royston 32 Christi Dreier 32 Jana Harless 32 Kelly Hajovsky 32 Rebecca Bailey

McNeese St. Texas-Arlington Texas-Arlington Louisiana Tech A&M-Corpus Christi Baylor Stephen F. Austin Texas St-San Marcos A&M-Corpus Christi Lamar TCU Lamar Baylor Stephen F. Austin Southwest Texas Texas-Arlington

5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 3 sets 3 sets 5 sets 4 sets 4 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 4 sets

H 2009 H 2004 H 2007 H 2006 H 2009 T 1993 H 2005 H 2006 H 2006 H 1997 A 1999 H 1990 H 1993 H 1994 H 1997 A 1998

TOTAL BLOCKS 14 Jennifer Cron 12 Karen Zoch 12 Alisha Fowler 12 Haley Thomas 11 Katherine Charles 11 Tracie Bendele 10 Gwen Gilder 10 Yolanda Royston 10 Kelly Hajovsky 10 Tracie Bendele 10 Alisha Fowler 10 Alisha Fowler 10 Alisha Fowler 10 Anna Ferguson

Texas A&M Southwestern Lamar Stephen F. Austin Lamar Lamar Northern Colorado South Carolina Northwestern St. Lamar Texas A&M Texas-San Antonio Louisiana-Monroe Texas-San Antonio

4 sets 5 sets 4 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 4 sets 3 sets 5 sets 4 sets 4 set 3 sets 4 sets 5 sets

H A H T A H T A H A H H T H

1994 1985 2004 2008 1984 1999 1985 1991 1997 1998 2005 2005 2005 2008

SOLO BLOCKS 7 Karen Zoch 6 Kelly Hajovsky 5 Katherine Charles 5 Tracie Bendele 5 Alisha Fowler 4 Tracie Bendele 4 Jessica Bryant 4 Jessica Bryant 4 Tracie Bendele 4 Chrissy Engle 4 Alisha Fowler

Southwestern Northwestern St Lamar Lamar Northwestern State Southwest Texas Southwest Texas TX-San Antonio McNeese Illinois-Chicago McNeese St.

5 sets 5 sets 5 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 5 sets

A H A H H H H H H H H

1985 1997 1984 1999 2005 1998 1998 1998 1999 2002 2004

Sam Houston’s 1993 Southland Conference champions

22 www.gobearkats.com

INDIVIDUAL SEASON RECORDS KILLS 1. Bonnie Beard 2. Bonnie Beard 3. Karen Zoch 4. Carrie Sartain 5. Jana Harless 6. Karen Zoch 7. Jennifer Cron 8. Monica Barajas 9. Tracie Bendele 10. Karen Humphrey

Year 1985 1984 1986 2002 1994 1987 1996 1995 1996 1987

MP 53 55 46 32 39 44 40 34 40 44

Sets 156 155 144 126 131 150 145 126 145 149

Kills 791 737 647 624 620 594 593 583 566 533

Avg. 5.1 4.8 4.5 4.9 4.7 4.0 4.1 4.6 3.9 3.6

ATTEMPTS 1. Carrie Sartain 2. Jana Harless 3. Karen Zoch 4. Cynthia Yarotsky 5. Bonnie Beard 6. Karen Zoch 7. Carli Kolbe 8. Tracie Bendele 9. Jana Harless Jennifer Cron

Year 2002 1994 1986 2007 1985 1987 2009 1996 1993 1996

MP 32 39 46 30 53 44 34 40 33 40

Sets 126 131 144 111 156 150 126 145 115 145

Att. 1753 1569 1538 1440 1421 1420 1,406 1397 1313 1313

Avg. 13.9 12.0 10.7 12.9 9.1 9.5 11.2 9.6 11.4 9.1

HITTING PERCENTAGE 1. Bonnie Beard 2. Bonnie Beard 3. Karen Zoch 4. Katherine Charles 5. Tisha Hopkins 6. Jennifer Cron 7. Jennifer Cron 8. Katherine Charles 9. Karen Zoch 10. Yolanda Royston

Year 1984 1985 1984 1984 1993 1994 1995 1983 1987 1991

Kills 737 791 308 460 425 335 509 505 594 419

Errors 133 149 70 146 116 86 146 140 133 105

Att. 1101 1421 595 844 871 704 1062 1096 1420 965

Pct. .549 .452 .400 .372 .355 .354 .342 .333 .325 .325

Monica Barajas

Karlee Butler

Bonnie Beard

Janell Cook

Tracie Bendelee

Jennifer Cron

Chrissy Engle

Anna Ferguson

Alisha Fowler

ASSISTS 1. Julie Franzen 2. Janell Cook 3. Amy Stavinoha 4. Julie Franzen 5. Janell Cook 6. Rachel McFarland Karlee Butler 8. Karlee Butler 9. Janell Cook 10. Karlee Butler

Year 1994 1985 1996 1993 1987 1992 2002 2004 1986 2001

MP 30 48 40 33 44 36 32 31 43 31

Sets 133 141 145 119 150 126 124 117 130 119

Assists 1818 1799 1783 1709 1587 1457 1457 1436 1405 1397

Avg. 13.7 12.8 12.3 14.4 10.6 11.6 11.8 12.3 10.8 11.7

ACES 1. Katherine Charles 2. Katherine Charles Bonnie Beard 4. Janell Cook 5. Jennifer Cron 6. Kelly Hajovsky Janell Cook 8. Bonnie Beard Janell Cook 10. Gretchen Day

Year 1985 1983 1985 1985 1996 1996 1987 1984 1986 1996

MP 53 52 55 48 40 40 44 55 43 40

Sets 157 134 156 141 145 144 150 155 130 138

Aces 104 73 73 70 69 65 65 62 62 61

Avg. 0.67 0.54 0.47 0.49 0.48 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.48 0.44

DIGS 1. Katherine Charles 2. Carrie Sartain 3. Jennifer Henrichsen 4. Sarah Womble 5. Bonnie Beard Kaylee Hawkins 7. Cynthia Yarotsky 8. Christi Dreier 9. Melissa Sims 10. Gwen Gilder

Year 1985 2002 2005 1992 1985 2009 2007 1993 2006 1985

MP 53 32 30 36 53 31 30 33 26 53

Sets 157 126 111 125 156 120 111 116 94 156

Digs 571 555 536 523 522 522 520 517 500 498

Avg. 3.6 4.4 4.8 4.2 3.4 4.4 4.7 4.6 5.3 3.2

TOTAL BLOCKS 1. Bonnie Beard 2. Gwen Gilder 3. Karen Zoch 4. Bonnie Beard 5. Katherine Charles 6. Alisha Fowller 7. Karen Zoch 8. Tracie Bendele 9. Katherine Charles 10. Alisha Fowler

Year 1985 1985 1985 1984 1985 2005 1987 1996 1984 2004

Solo 84 81 58 38 60 23 27 39 21 32

Assist 130 108 121 134 87 113 108 92 109 98

Blocks 214 189 179 172 147 136 135 131 130 130

Avg. 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.1 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.1

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INDIVIDUAL CAREER KILLS 1. Karen Zoch 2. Tracie Bendele 3. Jana Harless 4. Carrie Sartain 5. Bonnie Beard 6. Jennifer Cron 7. Sarah Womble 8. Katherine Charles 9. Chrissy Engle 10. Denise Meyer 11. Gwen Gilder 12. Monica Barajas 13. Kelly Hajovsky 14. Alisha Fowler 15. Cynthia Yarotsky 16. Christi Dreier Yolanda Royston 18. Anna Ferguson 19. Laura Hart Hodges

Years 1984-87 1996-99 1991-94 2000-03 1984-85 1993-95 1988-92 1983-85 2002-05 1986-89 1983-87 1992-95 1996-99 2002-05 2004-07 1991-93 1988-91 2005-09 1987-90

MP 198 131 143 122 108 153 144 160 122 162 201 119 131 96 116 105 148 108 128

Sets 605 480 483 456 311 485 500 446 464 548 579 349 481 356 403 373 472 374 409

Kills 2028 1824 1674 1547 1528 1504 1489 1479 1390 1288 1226 1207 1232 1223 1209 1179 1179 1070 1061

Avg. 3.4 3.8 3.5 3.4 4.9 3.1 3.0 3.3 3.0 2.4 2.1 3.5 2.6 3.4 3.0 3.2 2.5 2.6 2.6

ATTEMPTS 1. Karen Zoch 2. Tracie Bendele 3. Carrie Sartain 4. Jana Harless 5. Sarah Womble 6. Cynthia Yarotsky 7. Denise Meyer 8. Kelly Hajovsky 9. Chrissy Engle 10. Jennifer Cron 11. Gwen Gilder 12. Katherine Charles 13. Yolanda Royston 14. Liz Dahlstrom 15. Christi Dreier

Years 1984-87 1996-99 2000-03 1991-94 1988-92 2004-07 1986-89 1996-99 2002-05 1993-95 1983-87 1983-85 1988-91 1999-02 1991-93

MP 198 131 122 143 144 116 162 131 122 153 201 160 148 120 105

Sets 605 480 456 483 500 403 548 481 464 485 579 446 472 426 373

Att. 4662 4513 4461 4344 4124 4025 3676 3612 3360 3304 3152 3096 3023 2857 2852

Avg. 7.7 9.4 9.8 9.0 8.2 9.9 6.7 7.5 7.2 6.8 5.4 6.9 6.4 6.7 7.6

HITTING PERCENTAGE Minimum 1000 Attempts 1. Bonnie Beard 2. Tisha Hopkins 3. Karen Zoch 4. Jennifer Cron 5. Katherine Charles 6. Monica Barajas 7. Alisha Fowler 8. Chrissy Engle 9. Karen Humphrey 10. Tracie Bendele

Years

Kills

Errors Att.

Pct.

1984-85 1992-93 1984-87 1993-96 1983-85 1992-95 2002-05 2002-05 1986-87 1996-99

1528 707 2028 1504 1479 1207 1223 1390 812 1824

282 219 515 435 479 403 478 442 297 631

2522 1466 4662 3304 3096 2599 2622 3360 1887 4513

.494 .333 .325 .324 .323 .309 .284 .282 .273 .268

ASSISTS 1. Karlee Butler 2. Janell Cook 3. Julie Franzen 4. Candy Collins 5. Rachel McFarland 6. Megan McNamara 7. Suzanne Pedalino 8. Amy Stavinoha 9. Kym Loving 10. Jamie Baker

Years 2001-04 1984-87 1991-94 1997-00 1989-92 2005-08 1988-91 1993-96 2007-09 1995

MP 123 140 144 120 135 107 118 109 71 32

Sets 470 426 497 421 400 319 269 311 228 115

Asts. 5610 4791 4052 3646 3168 3045 2748 2093 1542 1365

Avg. 11.9 11.2 8.1 8.7 7.9 9.5 10.2 6.7 6.8 11.9

ACES 1. Katherine Charles 2. Janell Cook 3. Denise Meyer 4. Karen Zoch 5. Julianne McNamara 6. Chrissy Engle 7. Gwen Gilder 8. Jennifer Cron 9. Kelly Hajovsky 10. Kelly Sloan

Years 1983-85 1984-87 1986-89 1984-87 1986-89 2002-05 1984-87 1993-96 1996-99 1983-85

MP 160 140 162 198 152 122 201 153 131 159

Sets 446 426 548 605 457 464 579 485 481 443

Aces 237 201 173 172 170 160 156 156 154 140

Avg. 0.53 0.47 0.32 0.29 0.37 0.34 0.27 0.32 0.32 0.32

DIGS 1. Jennifer Cron 2. Carrie Sartain 3. Cynthia Yarotsky 4. Sarah Womble 5. Julie Franzen 6. Jennifer Henrichsen 7. Karen Zoch 8. Kelly Hajovsky 9. Yolanda Royston 10. Karlee Butler 11. Christi Dreier 12. Liz Dahlstrom 13. Denise Meyer 14. Janell Cook 15. Candy Collins

Years 1993-95 2000-03 2004-07 1988-92 1991-94 2002-05 1984-87 1996-99 1988-91 2001-04 1991-93 1999-02 1986-89 1984-87 1997-00

MP 153 122 116 144 144 116 198 131 148 123 105 120 162 140 120

Sets 485 456 403 500 497 437 605 481 472 470 373 426 548 426 421

Digs 1639 1612 1510 1501 1395 1395 1366 1361 1279 1248 1228 1190 1186 1176 1157

Avg. 3.4 3.5 3.7 3.0 2.8 3.2 2.3 2.8 2.7 2.7 3.3 2.8 2.2 2.8 2.7

TOTAL BLOCKS 1. Karen Zoch 2. Tracie Bendele 3. Gwen Gilder 4. Bonnie Beard 5. Alisha Fowler 6. Yolanda Royston 7. Katherine Charles 8. Anna Ferguson 9. Jennifer Cron 10. Chrissy Engle 11. Pam McRae 12. Kelly Hajovsky 12. Laura Hart Hodges 13. Teri Palmer 14. Christi Dreier 15. Monica Barajas

Year 1984-87 1996-99 1983-87 1984-85 2002-05 1988-91 1983-85 2005-09 1993-96 2002-05 1988-91 1996-98 1987-90 2001-02 1991-93 1992-95

Solo 128 105 145 122 80 126 100 27 66 59 85 47 53 39 52 60

Assist 408 305 248 264 273 211 224 281 230 233 198 233 181 184 163 153

Blocks Avg. 536 410 393 386 353 337 324 308 296 292 283 280 234 223 215 213

Julie Franzen

Tish Hopkins

4 www.gobearkats.com

Gwen Gilder

Karen Humphrey

Jana Harless

Pam McRae

POST-SEASON HONORS ALL-AMERICA NCAA DIVISION II Bonnie Beard 1985 Katherine Charles 1985 NCAA ALL-REGION DIVISION I Jennifer Cron Julie Franzen Jana Harless Tisha Hopkins Karen Zoch

1996 1993 1994 1994 1993 1987

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN DIV. II Bonnie Beard 1985 ALL-GULF STAR CONFERENCE Bonnie Beard Katherine Charles Janell Cook Trina Davis Gwen Gilder Sandra Howell Karen Zoch

Denise Meyer

Yolanda Royston

Carrie Sartain

1984 1T 1985 1T 1984 1T 1985 1T 1986 2T 1984 2T 1984 2T 1985 2T 1986 1T 1985 2T 1986 1T Cynthia Yarotsky

Karen Zoch

ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE Monica Barajas 1994 2T 1995 1T Tracie Bendele 1997 2T 1998 2T 1999 3T Karlee Butler 2003 3T 2004 3T Jennifer Cron 1995 2T 1996 1T Liz Dahlstrom 2001 hm Christi Dreier 1993 2T Chrissy Engle 2003 HM 2004 3T 2005 2T Anna Ferguson 2008 1T 2009 1T Alisha Fowler 2003 HM 2004 2T 2005 1T Julie Franzen 1993 1T 1994 1T Jana Harless 1993 2T 1994 1T Kaylee Hawkins 2009 1T Jennifer Henrichsen 2005 HM Laura Hodges 1989 2T 1990 1T Tisha Hopkins 1993 1T Karen Humphrey 1987 1T Carli Kolbe 2009 1T Rachel McFarland 1992 2T Pam McRae 1991 2T Michelle Miller 2009 HM Lindsey Roebken 2006 HM Yolanda Royston 1990 1T 1991 1T Carrie Sartain 2001 3T 2002 2T 2003 HM Rhonda Sinnette 1989 2T 1990 2T Haley Thomas 2008 2T Sarah Womble 1992 1T Cynthia Yarotsky 2005 HM 2007 1T Karen Zoch 1987 1T Katherine Charles

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE POST-SEASON ALL-TOURNAMENT Jennifer Cron 1996 Christi Dreier 1993 Alisha Fowler 2005 Julie Franzen 1993 1994 Jana Harless 1993 1994 Karen Humphrey 1987 Denise Meyer 1988 Yolanda Royston 1990 Karen Zoch 1987 SOUTHLAND POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Julie Franzen 1993 Jennifer Cron 1996

www.gobearkats.com 25

Bobby Williams When Bobby Williams became the Bearkats’ director of athletics on April 29, 1998, he set a goal for the program - to win the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup symbolic of the league’s all-sports championship for both men’s and women’s sports combined. Sam Houston has won the Commissioner’s Cup not once but three times (2005, 2006 and 2007). No other Southland university has won the Cup three years in a row. Williams, who had served Sam Houston as an athletic administrator and a coach since 1982, was interim director of athletics for the 199798 school year. He was assistant director of athletics for seven years and an assistant football coach for nine years. In May, 2005, Williams received the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award at the All-American Football Foundation’s 70th annual Banquet of Champions. In June, 2008, he was presented the AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year “Football Championship Subdivision West Region” award. Williams now serves as a member of the NCAA Leadership Council. During his 13 years as athletic director, Sam Houston has achieved unprecedented successes at the NCAA Division I level, including:  Three Southland Commissioner’s Cups and two SLC Men’s AllSports Trophies (2000 and 2007)  Highest NCAA Division I football championship subdivision final national ranking (4th in 2004)  Highest NCAA Division I men’s basketball RPI final ranking (2003)  First votes in Associated Press NCAA Division I men’s basketball national poll (2008)  Two NCAA Division I football playoff appearances, reaching quarterfinals in 2001 and semifinals in 2004  NCAA Division I national playoff berths in men’s basketball (2003 and 2010), softball (2007) and baseball (2007, 2008 and 2009)  14 Southland Conference team championships including football (2001, 2004) men’s basketball (2000, 2003, 2010), women’s golf (2004, 2007), men’s outdoor track and field (2005, 2006), women’s outdoor track and field (2005, 2006, 2008) and women’s indoor track and field (2007 and 2008)  Southland post-season tournament titles in men’s basketball (2003 and 2010), baseball (2007, 2008 and 2009) and softball (2007).  Two ESPN2 football national telecasts, two men’s basketball CBS national telecasts, four ESPN2 national basketball telecasts and numerous Fox Sports Southwest and Southland TV regional games  Highest athletic grade point average in department history  Highest Southland finishes in men’s basketball, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s cross country and tennis  Hosted successful Southland Conference championship events in women’s tennis, women’s golf, cross country, softball, baseball and outdoor track and field as well as the finals of the Southland Conference men’s basketball tournament  Guided the department through two successful NCAA peer review team evaluations  Added women’s soccer and bowling as the university’s 16th and 17th varsity sports Williams has overseen more than 9 million dollars of facility improvements including the new Ron Randleman Strength and Fitness Center, Don Sanders Stadium (baseball), Bearkat Softball Stadium and the SHSU golf practice facility at Raven’s Nest Golf Course. With

26 www.gobearkats.com

Director of Athletics

new marketing strategies, Williams and his staff have increased both campus and community attendance at all Bearkat intercollegiate athletics events and increased revenue generated from outside university sources from $600,000 to $2.4 million. Under his direction, the Bearkat Learning Enhancement Center, located in the Bowers Stadium Field House, opened in the fall of 1997. The facility allows Bearkat student-athletes access both to modern computers and to assistance from academic tutors. During his seven years as assistant athletic director, Williams’ duties included NCAA compliance, game management for home athletic contests, scheduling, facilities, tickets, marketing and concessions. As an assistant football coach, he tutored five cornerbacks who played in the National Football League. “Becoming a director of athletics was a lifetime goal. I have always been a goal oriented person,” said Williams. “As a secondary coach, we set and met important goals on teams that ranked among the nation’s defensive leaders. As an administrator, we set goals such as raising our department grade point averages, which we accomplished. “As director of athletics, we have set goals. We have strived to bring this department to the forefront in computer technology, to improve our athletes’ academic standing and retention rates and to increase our revenue through fund raising and monies generated from bigger crowds at games. “Three times in recent years, we achieved our most important goal -- winning the Southland Commissioner’s Cup All-Sports Trophy. Not only does this achievement prove that each of our sports teams is vital to our program, but also it demonstrates the importance and contributions of every student athlete. Our staff ’s efforts will continue to be directed toward higher goals as we strive to make the Sam Houston experience the best it can be for our students.” Williams was a starter at wide receiver for the Rice Owls. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University in 1981 and his Master of Arts from Rice a year later. His father, Bobby Williams, Sr., was a member of Rice University’s 1958 Cotton Bowl team and retired in 2002 after working as an NFL scout for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. His mother, Carolyn, recently retired from the Dow Chemical Company. His wife, Janet, received her Bachelor’s degree and her Master’s degree from Sam Houston as have her father General Thomas Stone (distinguished alumni 1999 and football letterman 1955-56), mother Claudette, brother Keith (football letterman 197879) and sister Kelly (Master’s degree). Janet is a professor in the SHSU College of Education. The pair have two daughters, Audrey Kathryn (21) and Alexandra Karolyn (17). Bobby and Janet Williams and their daughters, Audrey and Alex.

Bearkat Athletic Department Staff

BOBBIE HILLIARD Associate Ath. Director for Finance

CHRIS THOMPSON Associate Ath. Director for Student Services

GREG HINZE Associate Ath. Director for Operations

DAVID PAITSON Associate Ath. Director for External Operations

JOHN HOLDER Administrative Coordinator

CURTIS COLLIER Compliance

JASON CHANDLER Assistant Ath. Director for Ticket Operations

PAUL RIDINGS Assistant Ath. Director for Media Relations

JASON BARFIELD Athletic Media Services Coordinator

JESSICA PAYNE Academics

CHRIS GIBSON Facilities Coordinator

HOPE PARKER Head Athletic Trainer

JEREMY EDDINGS Assistant Athletic Trainer

WESLEY NOWLIN Assistant Athletic Trainer

KYLE SPEER Head Strength & Conditioning

BRIAN NEAL Assistant Strength & Conditioning

JUSTIN STAPLETON Staff Associate Marketing

DENISE HOLCOMB Officer Supervisor

JENNIFER DAVIS Athletic Secretary

JUDY WEBB Athletic Secretary

KAREN WHITE Athletic Secretary

RHONDA CURRY Staff Assistant Events

TERRY ARTHERHOLT Athletic Assistant

JAMES ROSS Custodian

www.gobearkats.com 27

Sports excitement at Sam Houston State Sam Houston State University competes at the NCAA Division I level in 17 sports as a member of the Southland Conference, bringing the fun and excitement of intercollegiate athletes to the Huntsville campus. Men’s intercollegiate sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field. Women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. In the fall of 2010, Sam Houston begins competition in women’s bowling. Three of the past six years, the SHSU athletic program as ranked as the best in the Southland Conference, winning the SLC Commissioner’s Cup all-sports trophy. Sam Houston is the only league member to win the Commissioner’s Cup three consecutive seasons. The Kats also have won two men’s all-sports trophies. Since moving up to the NCAA Division I level in 1986, Sam Houston has participated in the national playoffs 15 times including the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball “Big Dance”. The Bearkats have won 23 Southland Conference team championships with 11 of those SLC trophies earned in the past seven years. In addition, SHSU has won nine Southland post-season tournament titles. While competing at a high level on the playing field, the Bearkats also have proven

28 www.gobearkats.com

themselves tops in the Southland Conference in the classroom. Sam Houston State has placed more individuals on the Southland Commissioner’s Honor Roll (student-athletes with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better) than any other league member during the past six sports seasons. For the last eight consecutive semesters, SHSU student-athletes have combined to produce a department grade

point average (GPA) of 2.87 or above, a mark higher than the GPA of the university’s overall student population. Nine times in the past five years, Bearkats have been recognized as the outstanding student-athlete in their individual sports. Winners of the SLC “Student-Athlete of the Year” honors have been Ryan Bright (2007 and 2008 men’s basketball), Stephen Prihoda (2007 baseball), Lata Assudani (2007 women’s tennis), Jennie Sewell (2007 women’s track and field), Jennifer Heinz (2008 women’s golf ), Barkley Falkner (2009 men’s basketball), Irina Sotnikova (2009 women’s tennis) and Brittany Brooks (2010 women’s basketball). Sam Houston State University annually draws regional and national media attention through televised athletic contests. Bearkat football and basketball games have been featured in nationally televised games on ESPN2 and CBS. Each year, SHSU games are telecast on the Southland Conference TV network. The university boasts one of the finest athletic complexes in the Southwestern that serve as the site of both regular season competition and post-season tournament action. Home athletic events are held at Bowers Stadium (football), Johnson Coliseum (basketball and volleyball), Don Sanders Stadium (baseball), softball (Bearkat Softball Complex), tennis (McAdams Tennis Center), track and field (York Track Center) and soccer (Pritchett Field). News, schedules, ticket information and opportunities to watch live video of Bearkat sports events are available on the SHSU athletic web site at www.gobearkats.com.

Bearkat Athletics Mission Sam Houston State University is committed to the concept that intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of the university’s educational enterprise. The department of athletics recognizes that the athletics program must be supportive of the university’s mission, which is to inspire learning through excellence in teaching, to stimulate creativity, to conduct scholarly research and to direct significant institutional resources to the community it serves. In keeping with these directives, the department of athletics understands that its primary mission is to develop studentathletes as complete individuals and educated citizens who are fully prepared to contribute positively to society. The department of athletics recognizes that it receives direction from the President of the university in the administration of the athletic program. The department of athletics will provide and support cultural diversity and provide for equitable opportunities for minorities and women. The department of athletics measures success in its ability to establish programs that support the mission of Sam Houston State University. Strategic Goals  The Department of Athletics will provide the best possible entertainment and image for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community by competing on the Division I level through winning athletic teams.  The Department of Athletics will provide an environment for student-athletes necessary to enhance graduation through classroom learning experiences that are conducive to a life skills learning experience on campus and in the community.  The Department of Athletics will provide an environment for all staff necessary to attract, develop and retain quality personnel.  The Department of Athletics will provide an environment for our alumni, community and friends of the university that encourages active participation in the department programs and development activities.

Brittany Brooks (left) earned Southland Conference women’s basketball “Student-Athlete of the Year” honors in 2010 while Barkley Falkner was voted the same honor for men’s basketball in 2009.

BEARKAT ATHLETICS

BY THE NUMBERS

Sam Houston State accomplishments as a member of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference: 8 9 9 15 23 32

Southland Conference post-season tournament “Most Valuable Players” Southland individual sport “Student Athletes of the Year” Southland Conference post-season tournament championships NCAA Division I tournament appearances Southland Conference regular season team championships Southland Conference “Players of the Year” NCAA Division I All-Americans

44 624 All-Southland Conference selections in 16 sports

Irina Sotnikova was named both Southland Conference women’s tennis “Player of the Year” honors and “Student-Athlete of the Year” honors during the 2009 season.

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What is a Bearkat?

Sam Houston State’s athletic teams have been nicknamed “The Bearkats” since 1923 when the university’s name was changed by the Texas state legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College. Prior to 1923, the varsity sports teams were nicknamed “The Normals.” Early references to “Bearkats” spelled the name either “Bearcats,” “Bear Cats,” or “Bearkats.” A bearcat is said by some to be a kinkajou, a small, golden, carnivorous mammal that resides in the jungles of South America. It is doubtful those who coined the “Bearkat” nickname had either a kinkajou or a binturong in mind, however. More likely, the name came from a popular local saying of the time, “tough as a Bearkat!” Since the animal in the saying was thought more mythical than real, the spelling settled upon was “Bearkat.” In the late 1940s, then SHSU President Harmon Lowman attempted to change the Sam Houston mascot from Bearkats to “Ravens” (after General Sam Houston’s Cherokee nickname). Mrs. Vernon Schuder reported that the alumni were polled, she voted for the raven but that “all those old Bearkats beat us out!” The current Sammy Bearkat mascot character began appearing at Sam Houston State sports events in 1959. Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Paul Culp of the Sam Houston State University Library whose research made this article possible.

From Sammy Bearkat to the Kat Krazies, the “Couch Potatoes” to Homecoming, campus traditions abound at Sam Houston State University.

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Winning Championships

Sam Houston has won 12 Southland Conference team championships in the past eight seasons.

SLC COMMISSIONER’S CUP  Winners 2005, 2006, 2007 SLC MEN’S ALL-SPORTS CUP  Winners 2000, 2007 NCAA NATIONAL PLAYOFFS  Football 1986, 1991, 2001, 2004  Baseball 1987, 1989, 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009  Men’s Basketball 1986, 2003, 2010  Volleyball 1984, 1985, 1993, 1996  Softball 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2007 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TITLES  Baseball 1989  Men’s Basketball 2000, 2003, 2010  Football 1991, 2001, 2004  Men’s Golf 1990, 1994  Women’s Golf 2004, 2007  Softball 1988, 1990, 1993  Men’s Outdoor Track 2005, 2006  Women’s Outdoor Track 2005, 2006, 2008  Women’s Indoor Track 2007, 2008  Volleyball 1993, 1994 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS  Men’s Basketball 2003, 2010  Volleyball 1996  Baseball 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009  Softball 1988, 2007

Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup 2005, 2006, 2007 Southland Men’s All-Sports Trophy 2000, 2007

OTHER MAJOR NATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS  Softball National Invitational Champions 1996  Softball NCAA Division II National Champions 1982  Softball NAIA National Champions 1981  Men’s Golf NAIA National Champions 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981  Football NAIA National Co-Champions 1964  Baseball NAIA National Champions 1963  Football Post Season Bowls 1952, 1953, 1955, 1958  Men’s Basketball NIT Season Tip-off quarterfinalist 2005 www.gobearkats.com 31

One Great College Town Sam Houston State and the city of Huntsville give studentathletes the best of both worlds. Huntsville offers a community atmosphere that retains its small town friendliness while offering intellectual and cultural stimulation with the University’s proximity to a large metropolitan area.The community is an ideal college town with a population of 34,592 just 68 miles north of Houston and 171 miles south of Dallas. Huntsville is one of the oldest communities in Texas. The city was founded in 1835 by Pleasant Gray and grew quickly with prominent settlers moving here from Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia. From its inception, Huntsville was considered to be a center of education and law. It was the home of many military leaders during the years of the Republic of Texas. The city features such historical attractions as Austin Hall (the oldest functioning educational building in Texas); the home and burial place of Texas history legend, Sam Houston; and the Sam Houston Memorial Museum.

Huntsville, Texas, offers students a small town community atmosphere with the excitement of Houston one hour’s drive to the south.

David Addick’s 67 feet high Sam Houston statue on Interstate 45 is the tallest statue of an American hero in the world

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Character Counts: We Care Bearkats involved in the Huntsville Community Bearkat student-athletes make an impact on the Huntsville community through programs organized by the Sam Houston State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. So successful have been the committee’s activities that other universities in the Southland Conference have used the group as a model for their own campus. Activities on the committee’s annual calendar include the NCAA Champs/Life Skills program; the annual homecoming parade; a mentor program with the Huntsville Independent School District (HISD); sports festivals at HISD elementary campuses; canned food drive benefiting The Good Shepherd Mission; Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter fundraiser; pop tab drive for M. D. Anderson Cancer Center / Ronald McDonald House; and Student Life Awareness Programs (alcohol, nutrition, time and stress management, diversity). Each academic year ends with the annual All-Sports Awards Banquet sponsored, planned and hosted by the committee. The leadership role played on campus by Sam Houston student-athletes has been recognized nationally by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Bearkat athletes have served on major NCAA committees including the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference held each June at Disney World in Orlando, FL.

Beark community service activities have included “Jump Rope for Heart,” mentor programs with area schools, collecting school supplies for low income families, city park clean-up and fund-raisers for the Huntsville Safe House, Good Shepherd Mission and the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.

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Unparalled Student Services Sam Houston State athletics student services offers Bearkat student-athletes an outstanding academic support system. The staff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to help each student-athlete success in the classroom, in his or her sport and in overall life experiences at Sam Houston and beyond. The student services staff works with each student-athlete individually. Among the many resources offered student-athletes are tutoring sessions; supervised studey halls; assistance in selecting majors, degree plans and courses; mandatory academic advisement (class scheduling) and use of the Sam Houston State Athletics Learning Enhancement Center (LEC). Located in the Ron Mafrige Fieldhouse, the LEC features study and work areas, 24 computers, printed and hosts the tutorial program strictly for student-athlete use. Also in the LEC is the Enterprise Career Center which offers career advice on resume writing, interviewing skills and assistance for the job market. The NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program provides a mandatory class for incoming freshmen student-athletes to enhance their opportunities for success at Sam Houston. Additionally, the university offers the SAM Center which provides academic advising, study skills sessions, graduate school seminars and additional academic support.

The Enterprise Car Rental Corporation offers seminars each semester with hands-on advice for Sam Houston State student-athletes to prepare them for the job market.

The Sam Houston student-athlete academic planner is utilized by all Bearkats varsity sports participants to help them organize their time and explain support programs, policies, resources, study and test-taking tips and skills.

Associate Athletic Director for Student Services Chris Thompson (left) and the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee officers lead a nationallyrecognized student services program.

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Academic Success The Learning Enhancement Center was established in memory of Dr. Billy Tidwell, coach, athletic director and professor at Sam Houston from 1956 to 1979.

Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Holl Roll Bearkats Athletes who maintained a 3.00 grade point average or higher during their sport’s season

BASEBALL Chris Andreas Taylor Davis John Hale Brandon Kimbrel Ryan Mooney Doug Oney Paul Spinn Jordan Westra MEN’S BASKETBALL Preston Brown Josten Crow* Lance Pevehouse* Arthur Zulu WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Ray Alexander* Brittany Brooks*# Therese Hager Britni Martin Sequeena Thomas Lauren Tippet CROSS COUNTRY MEN Clint Anders Joseph Anderson Travis Kocurek Patrick Krol Julius Michael Blake Woolums CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN Kaylee Brazeel Kim Brooks Sara Collazos Morgan Davis Alyssa Dooley Amanda Dunlap Molly Farrell Kylie Fitzgerald Kristen Gallow Courtney Haggard Jordan Heggie Monigue McMichael Haley Peddy Haliegh Pustka Crystal Santos Dakota Stewart Megan Williams

FOOTBALL Miguel Antonio Travis Best Jordan Bowersox* Chris Brown Brandon Closner R. C. Fairchild Eric Fieilo Justin Humphrey Jace Jackson T. J. Jones Colby Lange Chris Lucas Joe McNelis Brad Mills Zach Paty Matthew Powledge Sherard Ray Kyle Rogers Kevin Smith Greg Sprowls Travis Watson Jeff Welch Austin Wilson MEN’S GOLF Ryan Howard Fergal Rafferty Beau Wilis*

Mae Nowak Janaye Richardson Courtney Schoenemann Alex Survant Hailey Wiginton Whitney Wilson Calli Wood Tiffani Woodrum SOCCER Hillary Ackerman Amanda Biega Debbie Campbell Jordan Cherry Alex Clifton Neddie Garcia Shelby Grissett Emily Jurecka Meredith Norman Alison Oakland Natalie Pantel Jenny Pence* Kristen Pounds Paige Rodriguez Kelley Sikinger Ashley Simmons Adriana Vasquez Nichole Watkins Katie Wesneski* Kirby Zak

WOMEN’S GOLF Ellie McKinley Stephanie Pustejovsky Sarah St. John Jenna Stene Landa Stewart

TENNIS Federica Denti Nadya Dubyanskaya Giorgia Pozzan Cally Woerner

SOFTBALL Victoria Benavidez Amy Brown* Lauren Burns Tomi Garrison Mandy Gegen Amanda Lindsey Morgan Mikulin Kristen Moehlman Ashley Nelson

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD Clint Anders Leon Banks Cutter Bernhard Andy Blauser Brek Christensen Michael Courtney Joey D’Eramo Clemon Dunlap A. J. Edwards

Ruben Gutierrez Jasen Hickman Scottie Jones* Henry Jordan* Travis Kocurek Patrick Krol Julius Michael Tymagic Robinson Roger Ruelweler Jason Russell Jacob Shultz John Thomas Blake Woolums WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Kaylee Brazeel Sarah Collazos Morgan Davis Amanda Dunlap Molly Farrell Jessica Fisher* Kristin Gallow Jordan Heggie Kristi Hermes Courtney Lueders Monika May Monique McMichael Haley Peddy Stephanie Reed Crystal Santos Dakota Stewart Megan Williams Allysha Wilson Tonicia Wimberly Jenny Zoch VOLLEYBALL Kim Black Anna Ferguson* Jamie Haas Kaylee Hawkins Jamie Kaleh Courtney Laskowski Kym Loving Rebecca Swann Shamira Washington

*Academic All-Southland Conference selection # Southland Student-Athlete of the Year

While winning three Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cups (symbolic of the SLC’s All-Sports championship) and 11 SLC championship trophies in the past six years, Sam Houston athletes also have led the league in performance in the classroom. More Sam Houston student-athletes have earned recognition on the SLC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll than any of the 12 universities in the league during the past six years. To be recognized, a studentathlete must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. For eight consecutive semesters, Bearkat student-athletes have produced a grade point average higher than 2.87. That includes a record high GPA of 2.94 during the 2008 fall semester. These GPAs are marks better than the university’s general student population. Sam Houston student-athletes have posted overall GPAs of 2.30 or higher for 36 consecutive semesters. “We are extremely proud of our athletes’ achievements in the classroom and commend our coaching staff for the tremendous job they do in recruiting quality student-athletes,” Williams said. “The No. 1 goal for each of our sports teams is to have our athletes earn their Sam Houston State degrees. We are proud that 90 percent of student athletes who complete their eligibility at Sam Houston earn their degree.”

Bearkat Grade Point Averages For The Past 34 Semesters 1992-93 Fall 2.53

Spring 2.41

1993-94 Fall 2.30

Spring 2.57

1994-95 Fall 2.47

Spring 2.48

1995-96 Fall 2.39

Spring 2.54

1996-97 Fall 2.55

Spring 2.59

1997-98 Fall 2.59

Spring 2.59

1998-99 Fall 2.74

Spring 2.62

1999-00 Fall 2.59

Spring 2.69

2000-01 Fall 2.66

Spring 2.60

2001-02 Fall 2.60

Spring 2.59

2002-03 Fall 2.69

Spring 2.58

2003-04 Fall 2.63

Spring 2.78

2004-05 Fall 2.75

Spring 2.76

2005-06 Fall 2.76

Spring 2.79

2006-07 Fall 2.90

Spring 2.90

2007-08 Fall 2.89

Spring 2.93

2008-09 Fall 2.94

Spring 2.91

2009-10 Fall 2.93

Spring 2.87

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First Class Facilities The athletic facilities at Sam Houston State University rival any in the Southland Conference, giving studentathletes optimal opportunities to succeed in their sport.

FOOTBALL Elliott T. Bowers Stadium

GOLF Raven Nest Golf Course

TENNIS McAdams Tennis Center

GOLF Michael McIver Golf Training Center

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ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION Ron Mafrige Field House

BASKETBALL & VOLLEYBALL Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Ron Randleman Strength & Fitness Center

BASEBALL Don Sanders Stadium

SOCCER Pritchett Field

TRACK & FIELD

SOFTBALL

Meredith & Miriam York Track Complex

Bearkat Softball Complex

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Sam Houston Notable Bearkats

DAVID ADICKES Designer of Sam Houston statue

ARNOLD A. ALLEMANG Board of Directors member Dow Chemical

KATIE CLARKE Star of Broadway touring company of “Wicked”

JOSEPH “BUD” HANEY Co-founder Profiles International

PRESTON JOHNSON, JR. Senior Vice President Center Point Energy, Inc

RICHARD LINKLATER Movie Director Academy Award Nominee

RON MAFRIGE Houston businessman Ron Mafrige Enterprises, Inc

DAN RATHER Former Anchor CBS News

DON SANDERS Sanders Morris Group Inc Ryan-Sanders Baseball

GLENN WILSON 10 year veteran Major League Baseball

LYNNE LIBERATO First women president Houston Bar Association

WILLIAM DAN WOMACK National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Sam Houston State Undergraduate Degree Programs Academic Studies

Environmental Science

Kinesiology

Accounting

Family and Consumer Sciences

Management

Agriculture

Fashion Merchandising

Management Information Systems

Agriculture-Agricultural Business

Food Science and Nutrition

Marketing

Agriculture-Agricultural Mechanization

Food Service Management

Mass Communication

Agriculture-Animal Science

Interior Design

Mathematics

Agriculture-Horticulture & Crop Science

Finance

Music

Applied Arts and Sciences

Forensic Chemistry

Music Therapy

Art-Advertising and Graphic Design

General Business Administration

Music Therapy-Correctional

Art-Computer Animation

Geography

Musical Theatre

Art-Photography

Geology

Philosophy

Art-Studio Art

Health

Photography

Banking and Financial Institutions

History

Physics

Biology

Human Resource Management

Political Science

Chemistry

Industrial Technology

Psychology

Computing Science

Construction Management

Sociology

Criminal Justice

Design and Development

Spanish

Dance

Electronics

Speech Communication

Industrial Management

Theatre

Economics English 38 www.gobearkats.com

International Business

Victim Studies

Training the Elite Athlete

Kyle Speer

The Bearkat athletic program gets a winning edge from its nationally recognized strength and conditioning program. Kyle Speer and his conditioning program have been honored by American Football Magazine for their part in preparing the more than 390 athletes who compete in 17 sports for Sam Houston State, winners of three Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup All-Sports titles and 10 Southland sports championships in the past seven years. The 11,000 square foot Ron Randleman Strength and Fitness Center opened in 2006. The center consists of coaches’ offices, dressing rooms and a 9,000 square foot area for weights. “The preparation for all championships begins with a great work ethic and commitment in weight training and conditioning,” Bearkat football head coach Willie Fritz said. “At Sam Houston, we have state-of-the-art training facilities and an outstanding staff to help us accomplish our goals.” The Strength and Fitness Center is named for Ron Randleman (right), who compiled a 132-124-3 record as Sam Houston head football coach from 1982 to 2004. The center was made possible by a gift from Houston businessman and Bearkat alum Ron Mafrige (left).

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The 2010 Sam Houston State University Bearkat Volleyball Team

1 Haley Neisler Fr Flower Mound Marcus

2 Jamie Haas So Deer Park

3 Kym Loving Jr Houston Cypress Springs

4 Tayler Gray Fr Huntsville

5 Kim Black Jr Huntsville

6 Carli Kolbe Jr College Station A&M Consolidated

7 Jamie Kaleh Jr Magnolia

8 Kelli Stewart Fr Magnolia

11 Courtney Laskowski Jr Poth

12 Kaylee Hawkins So Dickinson

15 Samantha West So Bridge City

16 Amber Bain Fr Louise

9 Brittany Hoag So Crosby

13 Camille Alfaro So San Antonio Marshall

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10 Tarona Williams Fr Fresno / Hightower

14 Lauren Bohlen Fr San Antonio O’Connor

2010 SAM HOUSTON SCHEDULE AUGUST 27 Fri. 28 Sat.

COMFORT SUITES INVT  All Day COMFORT SUITES INVT  All Day

SEPTEMBER 1 Wed. at Texas A&M  6:30 p.m. 3 Fri. at Delaware Invt.  All Day 4 Sat. at Delaware Invt.  All Day 7 Tue. TEXAS SOUTHERN  7 p.m. 10 Fri. at Islander Classic  All Day 11 Sat. at Islander Classic  All Day 17 Fri. at Sugar Bowl Tournament  All Day 18 Sat. at Sugar Bowl Tournament  All Day 23 Thur. at Central Arkansas*  7 p.m. 25 Sat. at Northwestern St.*  2 p.m. 30 Thur. A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI*  7 p.m. OCTOBER 2 Sat. 6 Wed. 9 Sat. 14 Thur. 16 Sat. 20 Wed. 23 Sat. 28 Thur. 30 Sat.

UTSA*  2 p.m. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN*  7p.m. NICHOLLS*  2 p.m. at Texas St.*  6:30 p.m. at UT-Arlington*  4 p.m. at Stephen F. Austin*  7 p.m. at Southeastern La.*  1 p.m. TEXAS ST.*  7p.m. UT-ARLINGTON*  2 p.m.

NOVEMBER 4 Thur. at UTSA*  6:30 p.m. 6 Sat. at A&M-Corpus Christi.*  1 p.m. 11 Thur. LAMAR*  7p.m. 13 Sat. McNEESE ST.*  3 p.m. 19 Fri. SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT 20 Sat. SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT 21 Sun. SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT * Southland Conference match