Since achieving NCAA Division II status in Sept. 2018, Spring Hill College’s athletic program has experienced much success through the strong competitive efforts of three championship winning teams.
Women’s court volleyball claimed the 2018 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Championship title on Nov. 7 in Birmingham, AL. With the win, the team secured its first-ever berth into the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division II Volleyball Championship. Additionally, Badger volleyball shined at the SIAC’s annual awards ceremony on Nov. 4, as the team led the 2018 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference Honors. During the awards ceremony, five Badger volleyball players were selected to the 2018 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference Team, including Kassandra Fairly, Cassidi Sterrett, Emmarose Neibert, Taylor Hurst and Bentley Odom. Fairly was named Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Sterrett was named Libero of the Year and Neibert was named Setter of the Year. Regarding her first collegiate season as a Badger volleyball player, Fairly said, “Being a part of this team is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had by far.” SHC’s own Peggy Martin, Head Coach of Court Volleyball and Director of Volleyball, was named 2018 SIAC Coach of the Year. Martin described the team’s championship victory as “a proud moment” for the Badger volleyball program, and a memory that her players “will cherish and share with their children and grandchildren.”
The women’s cross country team also collected their first-ever SIAC Women’s Cross Country Championship trophy on Nov. 2, 2018, at Winthrop University, earning advancement to the 2018 NCAA Divison II South Region Championship. Each of the six Badger competitors placed in the Top 10 and was named All-Conference, including Mary Shelton, Meghan Sullivan, Kimberly Atkinson, Grace McCann, Erika Nageleisen and Caroline Weisinger. Shelton, team leader and third place overall winner, said, “What I believe contributed most to our team's success was how we worked together all season. Everyone supports each other whether someone is having a bad day or a good day. If we didn't care for each other and work together each day at practice, I don't think we could have won the championship.” Head Coach Craig McVey, 2018 SIAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, said, “A lot of people have worked tirelessly for a number of years to make the SIAC Conference opportunity we had possible. We talked a number of times about being ready to do something special when that opportunity was finally in front of us. I'm so proud of their season. Winning is a great tribute to each member of our team.”
The men’s soccer team captured the first-ever Gulf South Conference (GSC) Tournament Championship title in SHC history, which earned the GSC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The GSC Championship win was the Badger’s 14th-straight and 10th one-goal win of the season. Junior Alex Lipinski, who was named Tournament MVP, said, “For most of the guys, the team is the closest thing they have to a family, which I feel has brought us closer, both in and off the field. I also think that trust and faith in each other throughout the season definitely pushed us into winning the championship.” Head Coach, Steve Wieczorek, said, “I hope for the players that there was a tremendous sense of accomplishment for doing something that had never been done before, which is amazing. I am so proud of them and they deserved it so much, so there is certainly great pride associated with the win.”
For continued updates on the Badgers’ postseason efforts, visit SHCBadgers.com.