UCA volleyball picked 3rd, 4th
The University of Central Arkansas is picked to finish in the top four of the Southland Conference volleyball races by both the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
The Sugar Bears are picked third by the SID’s and fourth by the coaches.
The SID’s and coaches agreed on the top five teams in the Southland, though Sam Houston State was the only team to finish consistently in both polls. The Bearkats were pegged to finish fifth by both groups. The SID’s picked defending Southland champion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to win the league again, while the coaches tabbed Stephen F. Austin as the top choice. Each poll took the other’s no.1 as their second pick. The two polls were again split at Nos. three and four, as the SID’s selected the Sugar Bears third and the coaches went with Houston Baptist. Again, the teams flipped spots in the other poll, with the SID’s tabbing the Huskies to finish fourth and the coaches selecting UCA to round out the top four.
Central Arkansas is set to begin its second season under the guidance of head coach Jeni Jones Chatman. Last season, the Sugar Bears finished the season with an overall record of 16-13, while finishing second in the Southland behind a 12-4 record in conference play.
The Sugar Bears begin their season with a pair of exhibition matches in mid-August. On Friday, Aug. 19, the UCA volleyball program will hold its annual Purple/Gray match. On Saturday, Aug. 20, the Sugar Bears will suit up for their annual Alumni Match.
Warriors hire former Padres coach
Sean McSheffery, a former coach in the San Diego Padres organization, will join the Hendrix College staff as an assistant, Warrior head baseball coach Neil Groat announced Wednesday.
McSheffery spent the last two seasons on head coach Turtle Thomas’ staff at Florida International University in Miami.in 2015, the Panthers won the Conference USA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Regional.
Prior to his time at FIU, McSheffery spent 2012-14 with the San Diego Padres, working with the Eugene Emeralds, the organization’s short season A team, and the the AAA affiliate Tucson Padres. He was responsible for assisting day-to-day operations of the clubs and managing scouting reports. McSheffery also worked with infielders, hitters and baserunners.
In 2012, McSheffery was an assistant coach at Phoenix College working with hitters and infielders. In 2011, he was a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, the University of Dallas.
He graduated from the University of Dallas in 2010 with a degree in Business Leadership. He was the Crusaders’ team MVP and captain as a senior. He hit .320 during his career with a .970 fielding percentage. McSheffery also played at Phoenix College, where he received his associate’s degree in business.
“I had the pleasure of having Sheff on my staff for three years. He has a relentless work ethic as well as tremendous love and passion for the game of baseball. I cannot wait to see where Hendrix goes in the coming years,” said Pat Murphy, longtime Arizona State coach and current Brewers bench coach.
Calver joins Hendrix as new assistant coach
Bri Calver is the new assistant women’s basketball coach at Hendrix College.
Calver comes to Hendrix after spending three seasons at Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio as an assistant. During the 2015-16 season, she helped the Beavers to a 25-3 record, a Heartland Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
As a collegiate player, Calver was a four-year letterwinner for the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She was a career 83 percent free throw shooter and shot 37 percent from three-point range.
Calver graduated from UMass Lowell in 2013 with a degree in liberal arts.
A native of Shelby, Ohio, she graduated from Shelby High School in 2009. Calver was a three-time all-conference selection and earned All-Ohio Honorable Mention.
