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Kendall Cleveland
Kim Black
Kaylee Hawkins
Camille Alfaro Jamie Haas
The 2012 Bearkat Volleyball Team
1 HALEY NEISLER 2 JAMIE HAAS 3 MICHELLE GRIFFITH 4 TAYLER GRAY 5 KIM BLACK 6 CARLING URBEN 7 KENDALL CLEVELAND
MB l 5-11 l Jr. DS/L l 5-3 l Sr. S l 5-7 l Fr. S/DS l 5-8 l Jr. MB l 5-11 l Sr. MB l 6-1 l Fr. OH l 5-11 l Sr.
Flower Mound / Marcus Deer Park The Woodlands Huntsville Huntsville Jarrell / Salado Houston / Cy-Creek
9 BRIDGETTE BENNETT 10 AMSHATAR STEPHENSON 11 SARAH GUZMAN 12 KAYLEE HAWKINS 13 CAMILLE ALFARO 14 LAUREN BOHLEN
DS/L l 5-5 l Fr. MB l 5-10 l So OH l 6-1 l Fr. OH/L l 5-10 l Sr. OH l 5-10 l Sr. OH l 6-0 l Jr.
Houston / Langham Creek Garland / Parish Episcopal Corpus Christi / King Dickinson San Antonio / Marshall San Antonio / O’Connor
15 CHERISE COLEMAN 16 DEVENEY WELLS-GIBSON BRENDA GRAY ELLEN ANDREWS JASON CURNALIA MATTCASH
MB l 5-11 l So. OH l 5-10 l Fr. Head Coach Assistant Coach Graduate Assistant Student Assistant
El Campo San Antonio / Churchill
Sam Houston Soccer www.gobearkats.com l 2
2012 Bearkat Volleyball Schedule
Date Day Opponent Location Time
SAM HOUSTON INVITATIONAL
August 24 Friday LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m.
August 25 Saturday TEXAS SOUTHERN HUNTSVILLE 1 p.m.
COLORADO HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m.
August 28 Tuesday Texas State San Marcos 6:30 p.m.
KANSAS JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL
August 31 Friday Kansas Lawrence, Kan. 11:30 a.m.
Nebraska-Omaha Lawrence, Kan. 4:30 p.m.
September 1 Saturday Arkansas State Lawrence, Kan. 9 a.m. 2012 Bearkat Volleyball Facts
September 4 Tuesday Rice Houston 7 p.m.
University Information
SUGAR BOWL CLASSIC Location: ........................................................................................Huntsville, Texas 77341
September 7 Friday Mississippi State New Orleans, La. 10 a.m. Population:.....................................................................................................................35,078
Pittsburgh New Orleans, La. 4:30 p.m. Founded: ........................................................................................................................... 1879
September 8 Saturday Tulane New Orleans, La 7 p.m. Joined Southland: .......................................................................................................... 1987
Enrollment: ....................................................................................................................17,618
September 13 Thursday *ORAL ROBERTS HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m. Nickname: ..................................................................................................................Bearkats
September 15 Saturday *CENTRAL ARKANSAS HUNTSVILLE 2 p.m. Colors: .......................................................................................................Orange and White
President:.....................................................................................................Dr. Dana Gibson
September 18 Tuesday *Stephen F. Austin Nacogdoches 6:30 p.m. Director of Athletics:..................................................................................Bobby Williams
September 22 Saturday *A&M-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi 1 p.m.
Team Information
September 27 Thursday *Southeastern Louisiana Hammond, La. 7 p.m. Head Coach: .......................................................................................................Brenda Gray
September 29 Saturday *Nicholls State Thibodaux, La. 2 p.m. Alma Mater, Year: ....................................................................Sam Houston State, 1982
Record at School, Year in 2011:.............................. Won 575, Lost 411 / 28 seasons
October 4 Thursday *STEPHEN F. AUSTIN HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m. Career Record, Year in 2011: ................................... Won 575, Lost 411 / 28 seasons
October 6 Saturday *NORTHWESTERN STATE HUNTSVILLE 2 p.m. Southland Conference Record, Years: ................. Won 210, Lost 169 / 25 seasons
Volleyball Office Phone: ........................................................................... (936) 294-3596
October 9 Tuesday HOUSTON BAPTIST HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m.
Assistant Coach ....................................................... Ellen Andrews (Augustana, 2010)
October 11 Thursday *McNeese State Lake Charles, La. 7 p.m. Volleyball Phone: ...............................................................(936) 294-1736 or 294-3596
October 13 Saturday *Lamar Beaumont 1 p.m.
Volleyball Information
October 18 Thursday *A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m. 2010 Overall Record: ................................................................................Won 18, Lost 13
October 25 Thursday *Oral Roberts Tulsa 7 p.m. 2010 Southland Record, Place: ...........................................Won 11, Lost 5, 3rd place
Southland Conference Championships, Last: ................................................2 (1994)
October 27 Saturday *Central Arkansas Conway, Ark. 2 p.m. NCAA Division I Playoff Appearances, Last: ....................................................2 (1996)
November 1 Thursday *SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m. Starters Returning / Lost ................................................................................................4 / 2
Letter winners Returning / Lost...................................................................................9 / 3
November 3 Saturday *NICHOLLS STATE HUNTSVILLE 2 p.m. Venue (Year Opened): .....................................Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (1976)
November 6 Tuesday *Northwestern State Natchitoches, La. 7 p.m. Capacity: ........................................................................................................................... 6,100
Media Telephone: ....................................................................................... (936) 294-1838
November 8 Thursday *McNEESE STATE HUNTSVILLE 7 p.m.
November 10 Saturday *LAMAR HUNTSVILLE 3 p.m. Media Relations
November 15 Friday Southland Tournament First Round Conway, Ark. TBA Soccer Contacts: .................................................................Paul Ridings, Jason Barfield
E-Mail: ................................................................ridings@shsu.edu, jbarfield@shsu.edu
November 16 Saturday Southland Tournament Semi-finals Conway, Ark. TBA Office Phone:.......................................................................(936) 294-1764 or 294-3533
November 17 Sunday Southland Tournament Finals Conway, Ark. TBA Website: ........................................................................................... www.gobearkats.com
* Southland Conference match
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 3
2012 Bearkat Volleyball Roster Squad Breakdown
No. Player Pos. Ht. Class Hometown / High School
BY YEAR
1 Haley Neisler MB .........5-11 ....... Jr-2L .................. Flower Mound / Marcus
Freshmen........................................................................................ 5
2 Jamie Haas DS/L ......5-3 .......... Sr-3L ....................... Deer Park / Deer Park Sophomores .................................................................................. 3
Juniors ............................................................................................. 3
3 Michelle Griffith S .............5-7 .......... Fr-HS ..... The Woodlands / College Park Seniors ............................................................................................. 4
4 Tayler Gray S/DS ......5-8 .......... Jr-2L ......................Hunstville / Huntsville
BY HEIGHT
5 Kim Black MB .........6-0 .......... Sr-3L ......................Huntsville / Huntsville
5’ 3”.................................................................................................... 1
6 Carling Urben MB .........6-1 .......... Fr-HS ................................... Jarrell / Salado 5’ 5”.................................................................................................... 1
5’ 8”.................................................................................................... 1
7 Kendall Cleveland OH .........5-11 ....... Jr-Tr......................Houston / Cypress Falls 5’ 9”.................................................................................................... 1
5”10”................................................................................................. 3
8 Kelli Stewart OH .........6-1 .......... So-1L....................... Magnolia / Magnolia 5’ 11” ................................................................................................. 2
6’ 0”.................................................................................................... 3
9 Bridgette Bennett DS/L ......5-5 .......... Fr-HS ............ Houston / Langham Creek 6” 1”................................................................................................... 2
10 Courtney Kimutis MB .........6-1 .......... Fr-HS ................... Sugar Land / Clements
BY POSITION
11 Courtney Laskowski S/DS ......5-9 .......... Sr-3L ........................................... Poth / Poth
Outside Hitter ............................................................................... 6
12 Kaylee Hawkins OH/L .....5-10 ....... Jr-2L ...................... Dickinson / Dickinson Middle Blocker.............................................................................. 5
Setter................................................................................................ 2
13 Camille Alfaro OH .........5-10 ....... Jr-2L ..................San Antonio / O’Connor Multi-Position ............................................................................... 2
14 Lauren Bohlen OH .........6-0 .......... So-1L.................San Antonio / O’Connor
Pronunciation Guide
15 Cherise Coleman MB .........5-11 ....... Fr-Hs........................El Campo / El Campo
Hailey Neisler ...............................Ni - slur (rhymes with eye)
16 Deveney Wells-Gibson OH .........5-10 ....... Fr-HS .................. San Antonio / Churchill Jamie Haas ................................................................................Hoz
Head Coach: Brenda Gray
Assistant Coach: Ellen Andrews
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 4
2011 Bearkat Volleyball Statistics 2011 Team Results
Overall record: Won 18, Lost 13 Southland Conference: Won 11, Lost 5 Date Opponent ..........................Result Score
Aug. 26 UT-PAN AMERICAN .................W 25-14 25-15 20-25 25-21
-----------------ATTACK----------------- -------------SERVE--------------
## Name SP MP-MS K K/Set E TA Pct Asts SA SA/Set SE TA
Aug. 26 RUTGERS ....................................W 25-14 25-19 23-25 25-22
6 Carli Kolbe 98 25-24 408 4.16 189 1235 .177 20 22 0.22 29 355 Aug. 27 A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI ..........W 25-21 25-15 23-25 25-22
5 Kim Black 121 31-30 260 2.15 113 661 .222 12 22 0.18 36 353 Aug. 27 LOUISIANA TECH .....................W 26-24 25-9 25-20
1 Haley Neilser 121 31-27 210 1.74 119 594 .153 4 1 0.01 6 33 Sept. 2 at North Texas ..........................W 25-17 25-22 23-25 25-20
12 Kaylee Hawkins 115 30-24 186 1.62 86 605 .165 29 28 0.24 39 472 Sept. 3 vs. Oklahoma ............................L 25-27 25-22 23-25 25-20
7 Kendall Cleveland 106 31-11 179 1.69 115 570 .112 9 3 0.03 6 45 Sept. 3 vs. Cincinnati ............................L 10-25 25-21 8-25 19-25
3 Kym Loving 121 31-30 83 0.69 20 255 .247 1215 44 0.36 32 469
Sept. 6 at Houston Baptist..................L 21-25 25-17 16-25 25-20 13-15
8 Kelli Stewart 98 27-12 123 1.26 75 392 .122 23 0 0.00 0 9
Sept. 9 vs. Manhattan...........................W 26-24 25-20 25-23
13 Camille Alfaro 65 24-3 23 0.36 27 103 -.039 11 8 0.12 14 150
16 Deveney Wells-Gibson 49 22-1 22 0.45 13 77 .117 0.08 6 0.12 7 109
Sept. 9 vs. San Francisco .....................L 15-25-17-25 25-27
2 Jamie Haas 95 30-0 3 0.03 0 5 .600 20 17 0.18 29 268 Sept. 10 at Washington State...............L 17-25 25-21 20-25 18-25
4 Tayler Gray 121 31-18 3 0.02 2 16 .062 34 16 0.13 15 408 Sept. 16 at Stephen F. Austin ...............L 15-25 17-25 25-27
14 Lauren Bohlen 4 4-0 2 0.50 3 11 -.091 2 1 0.25 1 5 Sept. 17 vs. Rice ........................................L 22-25 17-25 25-22 19-25
11 Courtney Laskowski 9 9-0 0 0.00 1 1 -1.000 10 1 0.11 1 8 Sept. 17 vs. North Dakota .....................L 25-23 18-25 16-25 14-25
SAM HOUSTON.........121 31-31 1502 12.41 763 4525 .163 1394 169 1.40 215 2684 Sept. 22 CENTRAL ARKANSAS* ...........W 25-20 14-25 26-28 25-16 15-8
Opponents........... 121 31-31 1442 11.92 690 4430 .170 1380 121 1.00 231 2626
Sept. 24 NORTHWESTERN ST* .............W 25-20 22-25 25-20 25-21
Sept. 29 at UT-San Antonio* ................L 21-25 18-25 10-25
RECEPT BLOCKING
## Name RE TA DIG Dig/S BS BA Total BE BHE POINTS Pts/Set
Oct. 1 at A&M-Corpus Christi* ........L 22-25 25-21 25-20 21-25 11-15
6 Carli Kolbe 35 810 317 3.23 5 43 48 0.49 10 456.5 4.66 Oct. 5 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN* ..............W 25-18 17-25 25-18 27-25
5 Kim Black 2 43 109 0.90 9 121 130 1.07 10 351.5 2.90 Oct. 8 at Nicholls State*.....................W 25-21 25-18 22-25 25-18
1 Haley Neisler 2 10 34 0.28 7 101 108 0.89 13 268.5 2.22 Oct. 13 UT-ARLINGTON* ......................W 25-20 25-21 25-21
12 Kaylee Hawkins 18 516 362 3.15 1 13 14 0.12 2 221.5 1.93 Oct. 15 TEXAS STATE* ...........................L 20-25 23-25 22-25
7 Kendall Cleveland 3 47 47 0.44 4 41 45 0.42 13 206.5 1.95 Oct. 22 SOUTHEASTERN LA* ..............W 25-15 25-13 25-19
3 Kym Loving 1 13 247 2.04 1 62 63 0.52 8 159.0 1.31
Oct. 27 at UT-Arlington* ......................L 25-18 15-25 19-25 28-30
8 Kelli Stewart 2 31 42 0.43 6 51 57 0.58 5 154.5 1.58
Oct. 29 at Texas State* ..........................L 21-25 16-25 25-21 16-25
13 Camille Alfaro 10 275 143 2.20 2 7 9 0.14 1 36.5 0.56
16 Deveney Wells-Gibson 6 85 53 1.08 2 3 5 0.10 0 31.5 0.64
Nov. 3 UT-SAN ANTONIO* .................W 25-19 25-20 21-25 16-25 15-13
2 Jamie Haas 21 415 269 2.83 0 0 0 0.00 0 20.0 0.21 Nov. 5 A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI* ........W 22-25 25-19 25-11 24-26 15-10
4 Tayler Gray 4 85 310 2.56 0 0 0 0.00 0 19.0 0.16 Nov. 10 at Lamar* ...................................W 25-20 26-24 14-25 25-20
14 Lauren Bohlen 0 2 2 0.50 0 1 1 0.25 0 3.5 0.88 Nov. 12 at McNeese State* ..................W 25-17 25-21 25-21
11 Courtney Laskowski 0 0 1 0.11 0 0 0 0.00 0 1.0 0.11 Nov. 18 vs. UT-Arlington# ....................W 25-27 25-21 25-22 22-25 15-12
SAM HOUSTON.........120 2363 1936 16.00 37 443 258.5 2.14 62 1929.5 15.95 Nov. 19 vs. UT-San Antonio# ...............L 24-26 17-25 22-25
Opponents........... 169 2422 1925 15.91 43 475 280.5 2.32 47 1843.5 15.24
*Southland Conference match
#Southland Tournament
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 5
Meet the Bearkats
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 6
Camille
Alfaro
5-10 Outside Hitter
13
Senior-2L
San Antonio / Marshall High School
Marketing major
Born May 13, 1991
SAM HOUSTON
Three-year letter winner who has appeared in 73 matches, starting 27 times
... played in 24 matches as a junior in 2011 ... totaled 143 digs and 265 suc-
cessful service receptions ... played in 16 matches as a sophomore in 2010,
totaling 17 kills ... as a true freshman in 2009, started in 21 matches and saw
action as a reserve in 12 others ... 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
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
Career Statistics
selection ... student class officer and Homecoming Queen ... also lettered in Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
basketball, track and softball. 2009 33 102 130 91 455 .086 16 11 193 28
2010 16 47 17 22 76 -.066 6 10 92 1
2011 24 65 23 27 103 -.039 11 8 143 9
Total 73 214 170 140 634 .047 33 29 428 38
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 7
Bridgette
Bennett 9
5-5 Defensive Specialist
Freshman
Houston / Langham Creek High School
Education major
Born June 3, 1994
SAM HOUSTON
True freshman who will play as defensive specialist for the 2012 Bearkats
LANGHAM CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
All-District honorable mention libero for coach Carey Todd ... team co-captain
as senior ... totaled 18 kills, 27 assists, 21 aces and 381 digs in 2011 ... two-time
Academic All-District and Academic All-State selection ... also played softball
and basketball ... National Honor Society member ... vice president of Sign
Language Club ... member of Mu Alpha Theta math honor society
HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY
“Amy is a young setter with good size. As a freshman she is going to have
adjust to the system and adjust to the college game, but she has a group of
good setters here from whom to learn.”
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 8
Kim
Black 5
5-11 Middle Blocker
Senior-3L
Huntsville / Huntsville High School
Accounting major
Born December 22, 1989
SAM HOUSTON
Two-time All-Southland Conference selection who has climbed to No. 2 in Sam Hous-
ton career blocks (351) ... in 100 matches, has totaled 636 kills, 59 aces and 231 digs
... first team All-Southland in 2011 ... team’s second leading scorer with 334 points ...
totaled 249 kills ... ranked fifth in the Southland in total blocks with 121 ... 11 double
figure kill performances ... All-Southland Conference honorable mention selection in
2010 ... ranked second in the league in total blocks ... her season total of 139 blocks
is the highest by a Bearkat since Sam Houston moved up to the NCAA level ... started
in 65 matches as a sophomore and a junior including every match in 2010 and all but
one in 2009 ... second on the 2010 squad in kills (209) ... Southland Conference “De-
fensive Player of the Week” Oct. 11, 2010 ... posted five double-digit kill matches as
a junior and four as a sophomore ... top single match career marks include 14 kills in
five-set home win over A&M-Corpus Christi in 2009 and nine blocks against Louisiana-
Lafayette and Nicholls in 2010 ... first team Academic All-Southland selection in 2011 as
accounting major who holds a 3.33 overall grade point average ... four-time Southland
Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll selection
HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Three-time All-District performer and four-year starter for head coach Debbie Hight- Career Statistics
ower at Huntsville High School ... four-time Academic All-District selection ... member, Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
National Honor Society ... team “Most Valuable Player” after leading Hornets to the 2008 5 8 11 5 23 .261 1 0 3 0
2009 34 117 167 77 413 .218 6 0 39 93
state playoffs ... team reached regional semi-finals ... played club volleyball for Brazos 2010 32 117 209 97 588 .190 6 37 85 139
Valley Juniors in 2006-07 and Houston Juniors in 2007-08 2011 31 21 260 113 661 .222 12 22 109 130
Totals 102 363 647 292 1685 .211 25 59 236 362
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 9
Lauren
Bohlen
6-0 Outside Hitter
14
Junior-1L
San Antonio / O’Connor High School
Animal Science major
Born March 3, 1992
SAM HOUSTON
Played in 32 matches during her two seasons as a Bearkat ... appeared in
28 matches as a true freshman in 2010, starting in 12 times ... totaled 76 kills
to average 1.10 kills per set ... season high was seven kills in five-set victory
over Stephen F. Austin ... hard worker with a heavy arm swing and powerful
jump serve ... Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll
selection.
O’CONNOR HIGH SCHOOL
All-District outside hitter for coach Yamilet Garcia ... named to LoneStarVol-
leyball.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 sopho-
more Camille Alfaro ... her 2010 club team qualified for the Junior Olympic
Championships in Reno, Nev. in the 18 open division ... club won the 2008
Career Statistics
Lone Star national qualifier championship ... averaged 4.1 kills and 1.6 blocks Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
per set for her club in 2009 ... Academic All-District and All-State selection ... 2010 28 69 76 49 261 .103 19 4 37 19
2011 4 4 2 3 11 -.091 2 1 2 0
National Honor Socieity and Math Honor Society member. Totals 32 73 78 52 272 .097 21 5 39 19
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 10
Kendall
Cleveland 7
5-11 Outside Hitter
Senior-Transfer
Houston / Cypress Falls High School
Kinesiology major
Born July 3, 1991
SAM HOUSTON
Added punch to the Bearkat front line as a transfer from the University of
Arkansas last year ... totaled 179 kills and 45 blocks playing in all 31 matches
... started 11 times ... posted five double figure kill performances including a
season best of 19 versus Cincinnatti
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Played in 42 matches and 130 sets for the Razorbacks in 2009 and 2010 ...
totaled 177 kills and 160 digs as a freshman and sophomore ... averaged 1.51
kills per set and totaled 14 aces during the 2010 season.
CYPRESS FALLS
Two-time All-District performer and district Most Valuable Player in high
school ... TGCA Class 5A all-state honoree ... also earned Academic All-District
honors as a junior and senior ... played for Texas Tornandos club team ...
helped lead club team to runner-up finish at the Big South Qualifier and third
place at the Team Cup ... earned all-tournament honors at the 2009 Junior
Olympic 18s club tournament ... played in the Texas High School All-Star Career Statistics
game. Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
2011 31 106 179 115 570 .112 9 3 47 45
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 11
Cherise
Coleman
15
5-11 Middle Blocker
Redshirt Freshman
El Campo / El Campo High School
Kinesiology major
Born July 7, 1993
SAM HOUSTON
Red-shirted as a true freshman in 2011 ... looks to contribute in the middle
for the team this fall ... comes from a Bearkat family .. her sister Alice Johnson
earned All-Southland Conference honors in women’s basketball in 2003.
EL CAMPO
First-team All-District 23-4A selection ... tallied 142 kills, 102 digs, 26 solo
blocks and 33 block assists as a senior ... played for Texstar Volleyball Club for
the past two years ... received both Academic All-District and Academic All-
State recognition ... multi-sport athlete, also competing in basketball, track,
and cross country.
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 12
Tayler
Gray
4
5-8 Setter / Defensive specialist
Sophomore-1L
Huntsville / Huntsville
Kinesiology major
Born January 24, 1992
SAM HOUSTON
Saw action in all 32 matches as a true freshman in 2010 ... contributed as a
strong defensive prescence on the floor with 174 digs (1.76 per set) ... posted
double figure digs in five matches including season best of 13 in five-set vic-
tory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ... also lettered in softball ... enrolled at
Sam Houston in January, 2010 after high school graduation... athletic setter
with good fundamentals ... Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic
Honor Roll member ... daughter of Bearkat head coach Brenda Gray
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
Career Statistics
Year MP-MS SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Aces Digs Asts.
2010 32-12 99 1 3 11 -.182 17 174 29
2011 31-18 121 3 2 16 ,962 16 310 34
Totals 63-30 220 4 5 27 ---- 33 484 63
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 13
Michelle
Griffith 3
5-7 Setter
Freshman
The Woodlands / College Park High School
Nutrition major
Born October 7, 1993
SAM HOUSTON
True freshman setter who will compete for playing time
COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Rolled up high school career totals of 2,442 assists, 1,094 digs and 186 aces ...
earned first team All-District, Academic All-District, district “Setter of the Year”
and team “Most Valuable Player” honors during her career ... led squad to four
consecutive district championships ... played for Texas States, Tornados, Pride
and Houston Juniors club teams ... two top five Junior Olympics Open finishes
HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY:
“Michelle is an accomplished setter who is used to winning. She has led some
of the top club and high school teams not only in Texas, but in the nation. She
plays great defense and distributes the ball well. In addition to her polished
skill set, Michelle is a fiery competitor who should make an impact early in
her career.”
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 14
Sarah
Guzman 11
6-1 Outside Hitter
Freshman
Corpus Christi / King High School
General Studies major
Born May 7, 1994
SAM HOUSTON
True freshman for the Bearkats this fall
KING HIGH SCHOOL
Three-time All-District and four-time All-South Texas and All-Metro selection
for coach Glenn Jacobs ... led squad to four consecutive district champion-
ships ... team reached state semifinals in 2010 and regional quarter finals in
2009 and 2011 ... totaled 513 kills, 314 digs, 80 aces and 40 blocks as a senior
... Lonestar Volleyball 2010 “Hitter of the Year” honorable mention ... PrepVol-
leyball 2011 All-Texas recognition ... played for the Wave Volleyball Club ... also
is a regional qualifier in the triple jump in track and field
HEAD COACH BRENDA GRAY
“Sarah is a complete player who has the capability of being a true six-rotation
outside. She also has a lot of versatility and could fill in at most positions. She
has great length and has played a big role on some very successful club and
high school teams. It won’t take Sarah long to adjust to the speed of the col-
lege game, and once she does, we expect big things from her.”
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 15
Jamie
Haas 2
5-3 Defensive Specialist
Senior-3L
Deer Park / Deer Park High School
General Business major
Born October 23, 1990
SAM HOUSTON
Senior who has played in 91 matches as a libero and backline player the past
three years ... totaled 601 digs during her career ... saw action in all but one
match as a junior in 2011 ... ranked third on the team in digs (269) and service
receptions (394) ... played in every match as a sophomore in 2010 ... totaled
177 digs ... played in 29 matches as a true freshman in 2009 with 155 digs in
85 sets (1.82 average) ... posted seven double digit dig performances includ-
ing season best of 16 in five-set home victory over the University of Houston
... Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll member
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 se-
lection ... recognized as Deer Park’s “Most Valuable Defensive Player” as senior
Career Statistics
... also starter on softball team, hitting .316 as a senior ... played for Ava 18 At- Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
2009 29 85 0 2 5 -.400 10 8 155 0
tack club team, winning bronze medals at Junior Olympics in 2004 and 2005
2010 32 98 1 3 12 -.167 11 9 177 0
2011 30 95 3 0 5 .600 20 17 269 0
Totals 91 278 4 5 22 -.045 41 34 601 0
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 16
Kaylee
Hawkins 12
5-10 Outside Hitter / Libero
Senior-3L
Dickinson / Dickinson High School
Accounting major
Born September 7, 1990
SAM HOUSTON
Two-time All-Southland Conference selection who begins her senior season
ranked No. 9 in career digs (1,345) ... produced 69 double digit dig perfor-
mances with 24 both as a freshman and sophomore and 22 as a junior ... team
leader in digs (362) in 2011 ... started 24 matches and played in all 31 ... fourth
on squad with 186 kills ... honorable mention All-Southland in 2010 ... ranked
eighth in the Southland in digs (461) and fifth on the Bearkat squad in kills
(168) ... first team All-Southland honors as a freshman in 2009, ranking third in
Southland in digs (4.28) ... two-time Southland “Defensive Player of the Week”
... move to libero corresponded with 11-match winning streak, the longest for
SHSU since 1993 ... set school record total of 44 digs in five-set home victory
over A&M-Corpus Christi ... performance also was season best in the South-
land Conference ... her 522 digs in 2009 rank as the fifth highest single season
total in Bearkat annals ... Academic All-Southland in 2010
DICKINSON HIGH SCHOOL
Four-time All-District 24-5A selection for coach Mitzi Matthews ... led team to Career Statistics
32-6 record and state playoffs in 2008 ... All-County and Academic All-State Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
2009 34 120 8 8 55 .000 18 32 522 2
honoree ... played for Absolute Volleyball Academy of Texas 18 Performance 2010 32 116 168 53 491 .234 25 31 461 44
club team, winning Junior Olympics Under 18 national title 2011 30 115 186 86 605 .165 29 28 362 14
Totals 96 351 362 147 1151 .187 72 91 1345 60
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 17
Haley
Neisler 1
5-11 Middle Blocker
Junior-2L
Flower Mound / Marcus High School
General Business major
Born November 6, 1991
SAM HOUSTON
Two year letterwinner who has totaled 379 kills and 165 blocks in 51
matches ... started 27 matches and appeared in four others as a sopho-
more in 2011 ... ranked third on squad in kills (210) ... totaled seven
double figure kills performances including a season best of 15 kills
against Southeastern Louisiana ... started 17 matches and appeared in
four others as a true freshman in 2010 ... ranked fourth on the squad
in kills (169) for an average of 2.32 per set ... also fourth on the team in
points (208) and total blocks (67)
MARCUS HIGH SCHOOL
Earned All-District 6-5A honors for coach Cristie Selfridge Liles, a former
Bearkat volleyball player ... district “Offensive Player of the Year,” team
captain and Academic All-District ... played for Texas Advantage volley-
ball club in Fort Worth ... earned All Texas team special recognition from
LoneStarVolleyball.com Career Statistics
Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
2010 21 73 169 71 442 .222 5 4 27 67
2011 30 115 210 119 594 .153 4 1 34 108
Totals 51 188 379 190 1036 .182 9 5 61 178
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 18
Amshatar
Stephenson 10
5-9 Middle Blocker
Junior - Transfer
Dallas / Parish Episcopal High School
Mass communications major
Born August 9, 1993
SAM HOUSTON
Transfer from Texas Tech
TEXAS TECH
Appeared in one match for the Red Raiders in 2011, picking up a pair of kills
on five attempts and posting a block ... member of Texas Tech traveling squad
PARISH EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
Four-time All-District performer for coach Jenny Neuhoff ... team captain and
district MVP 2010 ... starter on teams that won four consecutive district titles
... team advanced to state finals for four consecutive years, winning the state
championship in 2008 ... second team All-District as a freshman and first team
selection the next three seasons ... honorable mention All-State as a sopho-
more ... three-time all-tournament team selection at state playoffs ... district
MVP and first team all-state as a senior ... played for Nitro Volleyball and Texas
Assault club teams
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 19
Carling
Urben 6
6-1 Middle Blocker
Freshman
Salado / Salado High School
Biology major
Born June 16, 1994
SAM HOUSTON
True freshman for the Bearkats this fall
SALADO HIGH SCHOOL
District Co-Most Valuable Player and first team All-Area and All-District for
head coach Rachel Lee ... totaled 476 kills, 95 blocks, 79 aces and 271 digs as
a senior in 2011 ... led Salado to an undefeated District 25-3A championship
in 2010 ... team reached regional finals in 2008 ... Academic All-State and All-
District selection ... earned All-District honors in basketball, leading her team
to the state semifinals ... state qualifier in track and field in the high jump and
mile relay ... National Honor Society member ... class officer
COACH BRENDA GRAY
“Carling is someone who has a lot of future. She is naturally athletic, and with
a little training, she will become a force very early in her career. Although
one of the top clubs in the nation wanted her to play for them, Carling chose
instead to focus on staying a well-rounded athlete by participating in basket-
ball and track. She is an exciting addition to our team.”
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 20
Deveney
Wells-Gibson
16
5-10 Outside Hitter
Freshman
San Antonio / Churchill High School
Criminal Justice major
Born September 21, 1993
SAM HOUSTON
Saw action in 22 matches as a true freshman in 2011 ... totaled 22 kills in 77
attempts ... credited with six aces, five blocks and 53 digs ... posted 79 suc-
cessful service receptions
CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL
Texas Class 5A All-State and first team All-District 26-5A selection ... led
Churchill to the area playoffs where the Chargers lost to eventual State
semifinalist Corpus Christi King ... totaled 448 kills, 445 digs, 64 aces and 25
blocks as a senior ... San Antonio All-Area Super Team member ... two-time
all-tournament selection ... TGCA 4A-5A All-Star Game selection ... played
for Alamo Volleyball Club the past eight years ... Academic All-District and
Academic All-State honoree ... National Honor Society member ... also let-
tered in basketball at Churchill
Career Statistics
Year MP SP Kills Err. Att. Pct. Asts Aces Digs Blocks
2011 22 49 22 13 77 .117 1 6 53 5
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 21
The Bearkat Sta
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 22
Head Coach
Brenda Gray
Active NCAA Division I Head Coaches
Brenda Gray is one of only 29 active head coaches in NCAA Division I
women’s volleyball to post more than 500 career victories. Ranked By Total Victories
In her 27 seasons at the head of the Bearkat program, Gray has a Rank Coach University Years Won Lost Pct.
1 Dave Shoji Hawaii 37 1076 181 .856
record of 575 victories and 411 losses. She ranks No. 15 in total victories 2 Russ Rose Penn St 33 1058 172 .860
among NCAA Division I active head coaches. 3 Kathy Gregory UC-Santa Barbara 37 861 395 .686
4 Mick Haley Southern California 28 806 201 .800
Gray’s accomplishments as Sam Houston State University head vol- 5 John Dunning Stanford 27 748 159 .825
leyball coach include: 6 Karen Chisum Texas State 32 743 567 .567
7 Mary Wise Florida 25 738 138 .842
* NCAA Division I national playoffs (1993 and 1996)
8 Brian Gimmillaro Long Beach 27 726 178 .803
* Volleyball National Invitational Championship tournament appear- 9 Matt Peck Middle Tennessee 28 707 261 .730
ance (1994) 10 Bob Bertucci Lehigh 33 684 395 .634
11 Jill Hirschinger New Hampshire 33 659 481 .578
* NCAA Division II Final Four (1984 and 1985) 12 Chris Poole Florida State 25 652 260 .715
* Southland Conference regular season champion (1993) 13 Carolyn Condit Miami (Ohio) 32 598 464 .563
14 Debbie Brown Notre Dame 27 597 279 .682
* Gulf Star Conference champions (1984 and 1985) 15 Brenda Gray Sam Houston 28 575 411 .583
* Southland Conference Post-Season Tournament champion (1993 16 Barry Goldberg American 23 568 214 .726
17 Rich Feller California 27 567 304 .651
and 1996) 18 Tom Hilbert Colorado State 23 556 168 .768
* Southland Conference West Division champion (1994) 19 Nina Matthies Pepperdine 29 555 320 .634
20 Pete Waite Wisconsin 24 554 233 .704
* Southland Conference Post-Season Tournament semifinalists 11 21 Bob Schneck Rhode Island 31 537 433 .554
times (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2005, 2008. 22 Debbie Humphreys Stephen F. Austin 24 534 267 .667
23 Bonnie Kenny Delaware 28 533 375 .587
2011) 24 Denise Van De Walle Bowling Green 29 527 378 .582
Gray has coached two NCAA All-Americans, seven NCAA All-Region 25 John Cook Nebraska 19 522 107 .830
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 23
players, and 35 All-Conference players who have earned that honor a In Sam Houston’s 25 years at the NCAA Division I level, Gray’s teams
total of 60 times. Gray was named as Southland Conference volleyball have won 23 regular season major college tournament team cham-
“Coach of the Year” in both 1987 and 1993 and was named “Coach of pionships and have finished either first or second in the Southland
the Year” in the Gulf Star Conference in 1984. 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 Society, and received the Outstanding Achieve-
ment Award in Physical Education and the Margaret Powell Award for
Professional Excellence.
In December 2010 Gray was inducted into the Sam Houston State
University Women’s Letterwinners Association “Hall of Honor.”
Gray and her husband, Tim, have a son, Timothy, a daughter, Tayler
and a grandson Boston, born in September, 2008 to Timothy and his
wife Devon.
Timothy was a four-year baseball letterman for Sam Houston, earn-
ing his Bachelor’s degree in biology (pre-med). Following graduation,
he signed a pro contract to pitch for the Dodgers. During the 2009
baseball season, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the Bearkat
baseball team.
Tayler is a graduate of Huntsville High School where she played
volleyball and softball for the Hornets. She now attends Sam Houston
State University.
Head Coach Brenda Gray with her son Timothy and his wife Devon,
daughter Tayler, grandson Boston and husband Tim.
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 24
Assistant Coach
Ellen Andrews
Ellen Andrews, a former Augustana College all-star player who
served as the Bearkats’ graduate assistant coach in 2010, joined the
Sam Houston staff as assistant coach July 18, 2011.
Andrews has played an important role in helping direct the Kats to
their fourth and fifth consecutive conference post-season tournament
appearances and a 20-9 mark in Southland action.
The Bancroft, Nebr., 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 career 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 Manage- for the Nebraska Elite L.O.D. club volleyball team which qualified in the
ment. She was a four-time Academic All-NCC/NSIC selection, as well as 17 Open division for the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Champi-
a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection. At the onships in Reno, Nevada in 2010. She also assisted with several USA
end of her career, she received the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Volleyball high performance tryouts.
Distinction Award. Andrews is completing her work towards a Master of Arts in Exercise
Before coming to Sam Houston, Andrews served as assistant coach Science at Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 25
2012 Bearkat Volleyball Team
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 26
Volleyball Tradition
Post-Season Honors
ALL-AMERICA NCAA DIVISION II ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE ALL-TOURNAMENT
Bonnie Beard 1985 Monica Barajas 1994 2T 1995 1T Jennifer Cron 1996
Katherine Charles 1985 Tracie Bendele 1997 2T 1998 2T 1999 3T Christi Dreier 1993
Kim Black 2010 hm 2011 1T Alisha Fowler 2005
NCAA ALL-REGION DIVISION I Karlee Butler 2003 3T 2004 3T Julie Franzen 1993 1994
Jennifer Cron 1996 Jennifer Cron 1995 2T 1996 1T Jana Harless 1993 1994
Julie Franzen 1993 1994 Liz Dahlstrom 2001 hm Karen Humphrey 1987
Jana Harless 1994 Christi Dreier 1993 2T Denise Meyer 1988
Tisha Hopkins 1993 Chrissy Engle 2003 HM 2004 3T 2005 2T Yolanda Royston 1990
Karen Zoch 1987 Anna Ferguson 2008 1T 2009 1T Karen Zoch 1987
Alisha Fowler 2003 HM 2004 2T 2005 1T
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN DIV. II Julie Franzen 1993 1T 1994 1T SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT MVP
Bonnie Beard 1985 Jana Harless 1993 2T 1994 1T Julie Franzen 1993
Kaylee Hawkins 2009 1T 2010 hm Jennifer Cron 1996
ALL-GULF STAR CONFERENCE Jennifer Henrichsen 2005 HM
Bonnie Beard 1984 1T 1985 1T Laura Hodges 1989 2T 1990 1T
Katherine Charles 1984 1T 1985 1T Tisha Hopkins 1993 1T
Janell Cook 1986 2T Karen Humphrey 1987 1T
Trina Davis 1984 2T Carli Kolbe 2009 1T 2010 IT 2011 1T
Gwen Gilder 1984 2T 1985 2T Kym Loving 2011 HM
Sandra Howell 1986 1T Rachel McFarland 1992 2T
Karen Zoch 1985 2T 1986 1T Pam McRae 1991 2T
Michelle Miller 2009 HM
Lindsey Roebken 2006 HM
Yolanda Royston 1990 1T 1991 1T
Bonnie Beard 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
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 28
Single Match Bests
KILLS ASSISTS
38 Jennifer Cron vs. Illinois St. ......................1997 100 Rachel McFarland Lamar ...................................1992
36 Bonnie Beard vs. Lamar .............................1984 98 Julie Franzen Baylor ...................................1993
36 Tracie Bendele Lamar ...................................1997 86 Janell Cook at Southwestern ..............1985
35 Jana Harless vs. Stephen F. Austin ......1994 86 Janell Cook Houston ..............................1986
34 Jana Harless Baylor ...................................1993 86 Julie Franzen vs. Baylor .............................1993
33 Sarah Womble Lamar ...................................1992 86 Rachel McFarland Lamar ...................................1990
32 Bonnie Beard vs. Saint Mary’s .................1984 82 Rachel McFarland Baylor ...................................1992
32 Carrie Sartain at McNeese St. ..................2002 Gwin Gelder Janell Cook 79 Julie Franzen Stephen F. Austin..............1994
32 Carrie Sartain at Southeastern LA .............2002 77 Janell Cook Texas Woman’s ..................1986
31 Bonnie Beard Texas A&M ..........................1985 75 Amy Stavinoha vs. Texas-Arlington .........1996
31 Bonnie Beard Southwest Texas ..............1985 75 Karlee Butler Texas-Arlington .................2004
31 Karen Zoch vs. Lamar .............................1986
31 Jana Harless Stephen F. Austin .............1994 ACES
31 Cynthia Yarotsky Central Arkansas ...............2007 9 Kelly Hajovsky vs. Stephen F. Austin ......1996
30 Katherine Charles at Lamar ..............................1984 9 Anna Ferguson Texas-Pan American ........2007
30 Bonnie Beard at Southwestern ..............1985 8 Jennifer Cron at Stephen F. Austin ........1996
30 Karen Zoch Houston ..............................1986 8 Amy Stavinoha vs. Texas-Arlington ...........1996
30 Karen Zoch Texas Woman’s ..................1985 8 Jennifer Henrichsen vs. Florida St. .....................2004
30 Jana Harless at Southwest Texas .........1994 Tish Hopkins Karen Humphrey 8 Kim Black vs. Texas Southern ............2010
ATTEMPTS
94 Carrie Sartain at Southeastern LA 2002
91 Jana Harless Baylor ....................................1993
85 Sarah Womble Lamar ...................................1992
83 Carrie Sartain Northwestern St................2002
82 Jana Harless at Southwest Texas .........1994
81 Carrie Sartain Rice ........................................2002
80 Christi Dreier vs. Baylor..............................1993
78 Karen Zoch Houston ..............................1986
77 Carli Kolbe Stephen F. Austin..............2009
Carrie Sartain Sarah Womble
75 Jana Harless vs. Stephen F. Austin ......1994
75 Jennifer Cron vs. Illinois St. ......................1996
Jennifer Cron
Chrissy Engle Denise Meyer
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 29
Single Match Bests
DIGS SAM HOUSTON TEAM BESTS
44 Kaylee Hawkins McNeese St. ........................2009
43 Emily Orlowski Texas-Arlington .................2004 KILLS
39 Cynthia Yarotsky Texas-Arlington .................2007 109 Baylor .................................................................... 1993
38 Melissa Sims Louisiana Tech ...................2006 102 Lamar .................................................................... 1992
38 Kaylee Hawkins A&M-Corpus Christi .........2009 98 Baylor .................................................................... 1992
37 Christi Dreier vs. Baylor .............................1993 96 at Southwestern................................................ 1985
35 Jennifer Henrichsen Stephen F. Austin..............2005
34 Melissa Sims Texas St. ...............................2006 ATTEMPTS
34 Melissa Sims A&M-Corpus Christi .........2006 289 vs. Baylor ............................................................. 1993
33 Rebecca Bailey Lamar ...................................1997 286 Baylor ................................................................... 1993
Julie Franzen Jana Harless
33 Candy Collins at TCU ..................................1999 277 Texas-Arlington ................................................ 2004
33 Kaylee Hawkins at Texas-Arlington ............2010 260 Lamar ................................................................... 1992
33 Kaylee Hawkins Stephen F. Austin..............2010
32 Yolanda Royston Lamar ...................................1990 ASSISTS
32 Christi Dreier Baylor ...................................1993 101 Lamar ................................................................... 1992
32 Jana Harless Stephen F. Austin .............1994 101 Baylor ................................................................... 1993
32 Kelly Hajovsky Southwest Texas ..............1997 94 at Southwestern ............................................... 1985
32 Rebecca Bailey at Texas-Arlington ...........1998 93 vs. Baylor ............................................................. 1993
TOTAL BLOCKS SERVICE ACES
14 Jennifer Cron Texas A&M ..........................1994 24 vs. Texas-Arlington ......................................... 1996
12 Karen Zoch at Southwestern ..............1985 Alisha Fowler Karlee Butler 19 Houston .............................................................. 1986
12 Alisha Fowler Lamar ....................................2004 18 vs. Marist ............................................................. 2002
12 Haley Thomas vs. Stephen F. Austin .......2008 18 Texas Southern .................................................. 2010
11 Katherine Charles at Lamar ..............................1984
11 Tracie Bendele Lamar ...................................1999 DIGS
10 Gwen Gilder vs. Northern Colorado ...1985 170 vs. Baylor ............................................................. 1993
10 Yolanda Royston at South Carolina .............1991 161 Lamar ................................................................... 1992
10 Kelly Hajovsky Northwestern St. ..............1997 143 Texas-Arlington ................................................ 2004
10 Tracie Bendele at Lamar ..............................1998 136 at Southeastern LA ................................................... 2002
10 Alisha Fowler Texas A&M...........................2005
10 Alisha Fowler Texas-San Antonio ...........2005 TOTAL BLOCKS
10 Alisha Fowler vs. Louisiana-Monroe ......2005 23 at Southwestern ............................................... 1985
10 Anna Ferguson Texas-San Antonio ...........2008 21 Texas-San Antonio ........................................... 2009
Anna Ferguson Cynthia Yarotsky 21 at Lamar .............................................................. 1984
20 Texas A&M .......................................................... 1994
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 30
All-Time Leaders
KILLS ASSISTS DIGS
Years Matches Total Years MP Total Years MP Total
1. Karen Zoch 1984-87 198 2028 1. Karlee Butler 2001-04 123 5610 1. Jennifer Cron 1993-95 153 1639
2. Tracie Bendele 1996-99 131 1824 2. Janell Cook 1984-87 140 4791 2. Carrie Sartain 2000-03 122 1612
3. Jana Harless 1991-94 143 1674 3. Julie Franzen 1991-94 144 4052 3. Cynthia Yarotsky 2004-07 116 1510
4. Carli Kolbe 2008-11 125 1577 4. Kym Loving 2007-11 134 3861 4. Sarah Womble 1988-92 144 1501
5. Carrie Sartain 2000-03 122 1547 5. Candy Collins 1997-00 120 3646 5. Julie Franzen 1991-94 144 1395
6. Bonnie Beard 1984-85 108 1528 6. Rachel McFarland 1989-92 135 3168 6. Jennifer Henrichsen 2002-05 116 1395
7. Jennifer Cron 1993-95 153 1504 7. Megan McNamara 2005-08 107 3045 7. Karen Zoch 1984-87 198 1366
8. Sarah Womble 1988-92 144 1489 8. Suzanne Pedalino 1988-91 118 2748 8. Kelly Hajovsky 1996-99 131 1361
9. Katherine Charles 1983-85 160 1479 9. Amy Stavinoha 1993-96 109 2093 9. Kaylee Hawkins 2009-11 96 1345
10. Chrissy Engle 2002-05 122 1390 10. Jamie Baker 1995 32 1365 10. Yolanda Royston 1988-91 148 1279
11. Denise Meyer 1986-89 162 1288 11. Karlee Butler 2001-04 123 1248
12. Gwen Gilder 1983-87 201 1226 12. Carli Kolbe 2008-11 125 1258
13. Monica Barajas 1992-95 119 1207 ACES 13. Christi Dreier 1991-93 105 1228
14. Kelly Hajovsky 1996-99 131 1232 Years MP Total 14. Liz Dahlstrom 1999-02 120 1190
15. Alisha Fowler 2002-05 96 1223 1. Katherine Charles 1983-85 160 237 15. Denise Meyer 1986-89 162 1186
16. Cynthia Yarotsky 2004-07 116 1209 2. Janell Cook 1984-87 140 201
17. Christi Dreier 1991-93 105 1179 3. Denise Meyer 1986-89 162 173
Yolanda Royston 1988-91 148 1179 4. Karen Zoch 1984-87 198 172 TOTAL BLOCKS Year Solo-Ast Total
19. Anna Ferguson 2005-09 108 1070 5. Julianne McNamara 1986-89 152 170 1. Karen Zoch 1984-87 128-408 536
20. Laura Hart Hodges 1987-90 128 1061 6. Chrissy Engle 2002-05 122 160 2. Tracie Bendele 1996-99 105-305 410
7. Gwen Gilder 1984-87 201 156 3. Gwen Gilder 1983-87 145-248 393
8. Jennifer Cron 1993-96 153 156 4. Bonnie Beard 1984-85 122-264 386
HITTING PERCENTAGE 9. Kelly Hajovsky 1996-99 131 154 5. Kim Black 2008-11 21-341 362
(Minimum 1000 Attempts) 10. Kelly Sloan 1983-85 159 140 6. Alisha Fowler 2002-05 80-273 353
Years Kills Pct. 7. Yolanda Royston 1988-91 126-211 337
1. Bonnie Beard 1984-85 1528 .494 8. Katherine Charles 1983-85 100-224 324
2. Tisha Hopkins 1992-93 707 .333 9. Anna Ferguson 2005-09 27-281 308
3. Karen Zoch 1984-87 2028 .325 10. Jennifer Cron 1993-96 66-230 296
4. Jennifer Cron 1993-96 1504 .324 11. Chrissy Engle 2002-05 59-233 292
5. Katherine Charles 1983-85 1479 .323 12. Pam McRae 1988-91 85-198 283
6. Monica Barajas 1992-95 1207 .309 13. Kelly Hajovsky 1996-98 47-233 280
7. Alisha Fowler 2002-05 1223 .284 14. Laura Hart Hodges 1987-90 53-181 234
8. Chrissy Engle 2002-05 1390 .282 15. Teri Palmer 2001-02 39-184 223
9. Karen Humphrey 1986-87 812 .273
10. Tracie Bendele 1996-99 1824 .268 Karen Zoch Carli Kolbe Yolanda Royston
Sam Houston Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 31
Bearkat Volleyball Academic Honors
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA ACADEMIC ALL-REGION
Bonnie Beard...................................................................1985 Karen Zoch .......................................................................1987
ACADEMIC ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
Tracy Bendele ................................................................1998 Kym Loving ............................................... 2008 2010 2011
Katrina Biggers ..............................................................1997 Wendy Lyons ..................................................................1992
Kim Black ..........................................................................2011 Melissa McClinton ............................................. 1997 1998
Jessica Bryant .................................................................1999 Pam McRae ......................................................................1989
Emilly Burdett .......................................... 1993 1994 1995 Rachel McFarland .............................................. 1991 1992
Karlee Butler ........................................................ 2003 2004 Julianne McNamara ......................................................1989
Janell Cook .......................................................................1987 Megan McNamara ........................................................2007
Jennifer Cron ............................................ 1994 1995 1996 Denise Meyer ............................................ 1987 1988 1989
Gretchen Day ........................................... 1994 1995 1996 Carrie Sartain ........................................... 2001 2002 2003
Christi Dreier ....................................................... 1992 1993 Rhonda Sinnette ................................................ 1987 1990
Anna Ferguson ................................................... 2008 2009 Kelly Smalley ..................................................................2000
Amanda Fontenot .................................. 1993 1994 1995 Gwen Smith .......................................................... 1987 1988
Julie Franzan ..................................................................1992 Amy Stavinoha ........................................ 1994 1995 1996
Kelly Hajovsky ................................................................1997 Rhae Walderman ............................................... 2005 2006
Kaylee Hawkins .............................................................2010 Kathy Weaver ..................................................................1989
Krista Hensley ..................................................... 1997 1998 Suzanne Wright .................................................. 1999 2000
Laura (Hart) Hodges ............................................. 1989 1990 Karen Zoch .......................................................................1987
Karen Humphrey ...........................................................1987
ACADEMIC ALL GULF-STAR CONFERENCE
Bonnie Beard...................................................................1985 Kelly Sloan ............................................................. 1984 1985
Janell Cook ............................................................ 1985 1986 Karen Zoch ............................................................ 1985 1986
Sandra Howell.................................................................1986
TEAM ACADEMIC LEADERS
Five times in the past six semesters at Sam Houston State, the volleyball team has ranked among
the top two varsity sports squads in team grade point average. Kym Loving (3) and Kim Black (5) earned Academic All-
Southland Conference honors during the 2011 season
The volleyball team led all 17 sports programs three times with GPAs of 3.47 in the fall of 2011,
3.28 in the spring of 2011 and 3.36 during the spring of 2009.
Sam HoustonVolleyball www.gobearkats.com l 32
REASONS TO CHOOSE
Vo lley ball
Bea rkat
Sam Houston
A Great Name In Texas Education
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, 1879 “the Normal” opened with 109 students,
four faculty members and its first principal, Bernard Mallon.
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 be-
came 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.
In the 21st century, Sam Houston State University
has seen record growth, ranking as one of the
fastest growing public institutions in Texas the
past four years.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 34
... and a Great Name In Intercollegiate Athletics
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER’S CUP
l Winners 2005, 2006, 2007
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE MEN’S ALL-SPORTS CUP
l Winners 2000, 2007
NCAA NATIONAL PLAYOFFS
l Football 1986, 1991, 2001, 2004, 2011 (Finalists)
l Baseball 1987, 1989, 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012
l Bowling 2011
l Men’s Basketball 1986, 2003, 2010
l Volleyball 1984, 1985, 1993, 1996
l Softball 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2007
Sam Houston State stands as the only program ever to win three SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TITLES
consecutive Southland Conference’s all-sports championships. l Baseball 1989, 2012
l Men’s Basketball 2000, 2003, 2010
l Football 1991, 2001, 2004, 2011
l Men’s Golf 1990, 1994
l Women’s Golf 2004, 2007
l Softball 1988, 1990, 1993
l Men’s Outdoor Track 2005, 2006
l Women’s Outdoor Track 2005, 2006, 2008
l Women’s Indoor Track 2007, 2008
l Volleyball 1993, 1994
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
l Men’s Basketball 2003, 2010
l Volleyball 1996
l Baseball 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009
l Softball 1988, 2007
OTHER MAJOR NATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
l Football NCAA Division I Playoff Finalists 2011
l Softball National Invitational Champions 1996
l Softball NCAA Division II National Champions 1982
l Softball NAIA National Champions 1981
l Men’s Golf NAIA National Champions 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981
l Football NAIA National Co-Champions 1964
l Baseball NAIA National Champions 1963
l Men’s Basketball NIT Season Tip-off quarterfinalist 2005
l Women’s Basketball Invitational quarterfinalist 2012
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 35
ACADEMICS
l Sam Houston has a commitment to both academics and athletics
l More than 90 percent of Bearkat student-athletes who complete their
eligibility earn their college degree
l Sam Houston annually ranks high in the conference in the number of
student-athletes who earn Southland Commissioner’s Academic
Honor Roll and Academic All-Conference selection
l Bearkat student-athletes produce a higher grade point average
than the general student population at Sam Houston
l Academic programs such as the SHSU Learning Enhancement Center
and the CHAMPS life skills development program will enable
Bearkat student-athletes to meet the challenges of university life.
FACILITIES
l The Bearkats play and practice at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium
l All SHSU student-athletes train in one of the top conditioning facilities
in the Southwest, the Ron Randleman Strength & Fitness Center
SCHEDULE
l Sam Houston competes as a member of the NCAA Division I
Southland Conference
l The Bearkats face nationally-ranked non-conference opponents
during their regular season schedule
COMMITMENT
l Sam Houston State University is committed to its student-athletes
and the Huntsville community with a coaching and athletic
administration fueled with a passion for the game
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 36
Sam Houston State University
A Carnegie Classified Academic Institution
Enrollment 17,618 with expected
growth to 20,000 by 2015
272-acre main campus
79 undergraduate
degree programs
54 master’s programs
5 doctoral programs
Criminal Justice
Educational Leadership
Counselor Education
Clinical Psychology Sam Houston Today
Reading 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 at-
72% of faculty members hold
tained national and statewide recognition.
doctoral or terminal degrees
Sam Houston State University serves one of the most diverse populations of
31 student average class size any education institution in Texas. Admission requirements were strength-
ened seven years ago. In the fall, SHSU experienced another record enroll-
1:19 faculty-student ratio ment with a total of 17,618. The physical plant is undergoing significant ex-
pansion and improvements at a cost of more than $250 million.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 37
Carnegie Graduate Instructional Program
Classifications: Doctoral Research University
Community Engaged University
Six colleges within the university:
Business Administration
Criminal Justice
Education
Humanities and Social Sciences
Sciences
Fine Arts and Mass Communication
Capital project, construction, renovation, and
improvement program totals more than $250
University President Dr. Dana Gibson and Sammy Bearkat million
A diverse student body with students from 53
countries
Approximately 1,700 faculty and staff
More than 70% of commuter students come
from the North Houston area
University is partner with Raven Nest Golf Club
First teachers’ training school in the Southwest
U.S. News & World Report
“Growing Fast, Staying Friendly”
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 38
One Great College Town
Sam Houston State and the city of Huntsville give student-athletes the best of both
worlds. Huntsville offers a community atmosphere that retains its small town friendli-
ness 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
35,078 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.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 39
Houston, Texas -- 65 miles south of Huntsville
l Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city
l Houston’s population is among the youngest in the nation. The city has the third-largest Hispanic population in the United
States
l Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, with a local economic impact of $10
billion. More than 52,000 people work within its facilities and 4.8 million patients visit there each year
l Houston ranks second in employment growth rate and fourth in nominal employment growth among the 10 most populous
metro areas in the United States.
l In 2006, the Houston metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the country in Forbes Magazine’s “Best Places for
Business and Careers.”
l Houston is home to more than 5,000 energy related firms and is considered the “Energy Capital of the World.”
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 40
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 mythi-
cal than real, the spelling settled upon was “Bearkat.”
In the late 1940s, then SHSU President Harmon Lowman at-
tempted 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.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 41
Sam Houston Notable Bearkats
WALT ANDERSON DAVID ADICKES ARNOLD A. ALLEMANG MICHAEL BANKSTON KATIE CLARKE ROGER CREAGER GARY DUDLEY
Head Referee Designer of Board of Directors member 9 year veteran Star of Broadway touring Country & Western President
Super Bowl XLV Sam Houston statue Dow Chemical National Football League company of “Wicked” Recording Star Southwest Business Corp.
JOSEPH “BUD” HANEY PRESTON JOHNSON, JR. CHARLES JONES LYNNE LIBERATO RICHARD LINKLATER DAN RATHER DON SANDERS
Co-founder Senior Vice President Senior Vice President First women president Movie Director Former Anchor Sanders Morris Group Inc
Profiles International Center Point Energy, Inc Wells Fargo Dealer Service Houston Bar Association Academy Award Nominee CBS News Ryan-Sanders Baseball
l Sam Houston has a commitment to both academics and athletics
l More than 90 percent of Bearkat student-athletes who complete their eligibility earn their college degree
l Bearkat student-athletes produce a higher grade point average than the general student population at Sam Houston
l Academic programs such as the SHSU Learning Enhancement Center and the NCAA Student Affairs program ensure
Bearkat student-athletes will be ready to meet the challenges of university life
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 42
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a special group of representatives
from each varsity sports team who work to insure a quality academic and athletic experi-
ence that will culminate in graduation from the university.
SAAC provides a voice for student-athletes at all levels of the university. Members assist
the athletic department in establishing policies, seeking methods to develop professional
skills and work habits, to facilitate peer involvement, to fulfill the responsibilities that are
part of the privilege of being a student-athlete and to express pride in team achievements.
Among the various SAAC projects are the Student-Athlete Welfare Committee; NCAA exit
exam development Committee; Southland Conference “Twelve Days of Christmas” proj-
ect; Bearkat Mentor Program; the Hall of Honor Dinner; pop tab collection for the Ronald
McDonald House M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Board, “Think
Pink” breast cancer awareness drive; SAAFE House Program; Saturday’s At Sam; National
Student Athlete Day and National Alcohol Awareness Week.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 43
Unparalled Student Services Sam Houston State athletics student services
offers Bearkat student-athletes an outstanding
academic support system. The staff ’s goal is to
help each student-athlete success in the class-
room, in his or her sport and in overall life
experiences at Sam Houston and beyond.
The staff works with each student-athlete in-
dividually. Among the esources offered student-
athletes are tutoring sessions; supervised study
halls; assistance in selecting majors, degree
plans and courses; academic advisement 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 comput-
ers, printed and hosts the tutorial program strict-
ly 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 Student Affairs program provides a
mandatory class for incoming freshmen student-
athletes to enhance their opportunities for suc-
cess 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 Bearkat Learning Enhancement Center
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 44
Bearkat Academic Success
Since the 1992-93 school year, Sam Houston student-athletes
have combined to produce an overall department grade point
average (GPA) of 2.30 or higher 40 consecutive semesters.
For the past 12 semesters, the more than 400 Bearkats partici-
pating in varsity sports have posted department GPAs above 2.87.
The overall athletic GPA in spring 2012 was an all-time best 3.00.
The athletic program’s GPA is a mark higher than the overall
student population at Sam Houston State.
“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 ath-
letes 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.”
Bearkats represent Sam Houston and the Southland Conference at NCAA national
student-athlete advisory and leadership meetings across the country
Bearkat Grade Point Averages For The Past 35 Semesters
1992-93 Fall 2.53 Spring 2.41 2002-03 Fall 2.69 Spring 2.58
1993-94 Fall 2.30 Spring 2.57 2003-04 Fall 2.63 Spring 2.78
1994-95 Fall 2.47 Spring 2.48 2004-05 Fall 2.75 Spring 2.76
1995-96 Fall 2.39 Spring 2.54 2005-06 Fall 2.76 Spring 2.79
1996-97 Fall 2.55 Spring 2.59 2006-07 Fall 2.90 Spring 2.90
1997-98 Fall 2.59 Spring 2.59 2007-08 Fall 2.89 Spring 2.93
1998-99 Fall 2.74 Spring 2.62 2008-09 Fall 2.94 Spring 2.91
1999-00 Fall 2.59 Spring 2.69 2009-10 Fall 2.93 Spring 2.87
2000-01 Fall 2.66 Spring 2.60 2010-11 Fall 2.88 Spring 2.83
2001-02 Fall 2.60 Spring 2.59 2011-12 Fall 2.90 Spring 3.00
NCAA President Dr. Mark A. Emmert presents Sam Houston quarterback Greg Sprowls
with the Elite 89 award for the 2012 NCAA Division I Football National Championship
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 45
Southland Conference “Student-Athletes of the Year”
Since 2007, ten Sam Houston players have been recognized as Southland Conference “Student-Athlete of the Year” in their individual sport 15 times.
The “Student-Athlete of the Year” award is based on both performance on the field and in the classroom.
Lata Assudani Luke Prihoda Jennie Sewell Ryan Bright Jennifer Heinz Barkley Falkner Irina Sotnikova
Women’s Tennis Baseball Outdoor Track & Field Men’s Basketball Women’s Golf Men’s Basketball Women’s Tennis
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009
Brittany Brooks Chris Cralle Travis Watson Morgan Davis James Glenn Jake Arrington
Women’s Basketball Indoor Track 2011 Football Women’s Indoor Track Men’s Golf Baseball
2010 Outdoor Track 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 46
Sam Houston State Undergraduate Degree Programs
Academic Studies Art-Computer Animation Dance Finance
Accounting Art-Photography Economics Forensic Chemistry
Agriculture Art-Studio Art English General Business Administration
Agriculture-Agricultural Business Banking and Financial Institutions Environmental Science Geography
Agriculture-Agricultural Mechanization Biology Family and Consumer Sciences Geology
Agriculture-Animal Science Chemistry Fashion Merchandising Health
Agriculture-Horticulture & Crop Science Communication Studies Food Science and Nutrition History
Applied Arts and Sciences Computing Science Food Service Management Human Resource Management
Art-Advertising and Graphic Design Criminal Justice Interior Design Industrial Technology
Construction Management
Design and Development
Electronics
Industrial Management
Interdisciplinary Studies
International Business
Kinesiology
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Mass Communication
Mathematics
Music
Music Therapy
Music Therapy-Correctional
Musical Theatre
Nursing
Philosophy
Photography
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish
Speech Communication
Theatre
Victim Studies
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 47
First Class Facilities
ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
Ron Mafrige Field House
FOOTBALL
Elliott T. Bowers Stadium
The athletic facilities at Sam Houston State
University rival any in the Southland Conference,
giving student-athletes optimal opportunities
to succeed in their sport.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 48
TRACK & FIELD
Meredith & Miriam York Track Complex
SOCCER
Joseph Pritchett Field
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 49
GOLF
Michael McIver Golf Training Center
BASKETBALL & VOLLEYBALL
Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
TENNIS
McAdams Tennis Center
GOLF
Raven Nest Golf Course
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 50
BASEBALL
Don Sanders Stadium
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Ron Randleman Strength & Fitness Center
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 51
SOFTBALL
Bearkat Softball Complex
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 52
Training the Elite Athlete
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 400 athletes who com-
pete in 17 sports for Sam Houston State, winners of three Southland Conference Commission-
er’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.
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 53
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).
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 54
The Texas State University System Board of Regents
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 Donna N. Williams
Charlie Amato
education institutions stretching from the Texas–Louisiana border to the Big Bend region of far West Chairman Vice Chairman
Texas. San Antonio Arlington
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 Jaime R. Garza Kevin J. Lilly Ron Mitchell David Montagne
way and is highlighted within this website. Additional literature is available from each institution, and Regent Regent Regent Regent
San Antonio Houston Horseshoe Bay Beaumont
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 administra-
tion, which is headed by a board-appointed Chancellor, is based in Austin.
System enrollment: 72,000
System total operating budget for fiscal year 2010: $822 million Trisha S. Pollard Rossanna Salazar William F. Scott Andrew Greenberg Brian McCall
System total state appropriation for fiscal year 2010: $344 million Regent Regent Regent Student Regent Chancellor
Bellaire Austin Nederland Beaumont
Sam Houston State University Administration
Dr. Dana Gibson Dr. Jaime Hebert Al Hooten Frank Holmes Dr. Heather Thielemann Frank Parker Mark Adams
University Provost Vice President for Vice President for Vice President for Vice President for Vice President for
President Vice President for Finance, Operations University Enrollment Student Services Information
Academic Affairs Advancement Management Technology
Sam Houston Athletic Administration
Bobby Williams Bobbie Hilliard Chris Thompson Greg Hinze David Paitson Paul Ridings
Athletic Director Associate A.D. Associate A.D. Associate A.D. Associate A.D. Associate A.D.
Finance Student Services Operations External Operations Media Services
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 55
The Team Behind The Team
Bobby Williams Bobbie Hilliard Chris Thompson Greg Hinze David Paitson Paul Ridings Zach Daniel Curtis Collier John Holder
Director of Athletics Associate Ath. Director Associate Ath. Director Associate Ath. Director Associate Ath. Director Associate Ath. Director Assistant Ath. Director Athletic Compliance Administrative
Finance Student Services Operations External Operations Media Services Corporate Partnerships Coordinator Coordinator
Jason Barfield Matthew Carson Ryan Carroll Jessica Payne J. R. Ohr Kimberly Spino Michal Terry Kyle Speer
Assistant Ath. Director Assistant Ath. Director Athletic Facilities Staff Associate Staff Associate Staff Associate Staff Associate Head Coach
Media Services Ticket Operations Coordinator Academics Corporate Partnerships Marketing Ticketing Strength & Conditioning
Hope Parker Amy Van Horn Chie Koizumi Denise Holcomb Terry Artherholt Jennifer Davis Sherlyn Cartwright Judy Webb
Head Athletic Trainer Assistant Assistant Office Supervisor Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary
Athletic Trainer Athletic Trainer
Sam Houston Bearkat Volleyball www.gobearkats.com l 56
