Spring accomplishments on and off court
5/15/2014 4:06:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Bearkat volleyball team competed in four tournaments during the 2014 spring season, going up against opponents that included Texas A&M, Rice, TCU, North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette and Baylor.
“We made a great deal of progress in the spring and showed well against tough competition,” SHSU head coach Brenda Gray said. “We were very pleased.”
A successful recruiting effort also paid dividends this year. Sam Houston signed several top new players who will join the team in the fall.
The newest Bearkatsare 5-11 outside hitter Jordyn Vaughn from Huntsville, 5-8 outside hitter Brooke White from Fort Worth, 6-0 right side hitter from Franklin and 5-5 defensive specialist Lauren Acuna from San Antonio.
The volleyball team also had an outstanding spring in the classroom, compiling better than a 3.30 again to rank as one of the SHSU athletic department's top sports academically.
Four Bearkat volleyball players earned their bachelor's degrees during the 2013-14 school year including Tayler Gray, Lauren Bohlen, Haley Neisler and Deveney Wells-Gibson.
Gray was graduated in August and is completing work on her master's degree at Sam Houston. Bohlen received her diploma in December and has been accepted into Texas A&M veterinary school. Neisler earned her business degree in May. Wells-Gibson, the only player with her degree returning next fall, completed her undergraduate work in May as well. She now will begin work on her master's.
Gray, a two-time All-Southland setter, was named as 2013 volleyball “Most Valuable Player” and also received the SHSU female scholar athlete-of-the-year award at the 2014 Night of Champions celebration.
Past Sam Houston players also are making headlines. Kendall Cleveland, a starter for the 2012 Southland championship team now plays professionally for NawaRo Straubling in Germany. She led her team to the league championship and was named as her league's most valuable player.
Bearkat volleyball players were involved in several community service events during the spring semester including volunteering at Saafe House and the Pregnancy Care Center, bagging litter on an adopted road, Santa's helpers, 18 wheeler unload, and winning the “Pop” tap collection.
