Over the past 25 seasons, the Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's volleyball program has established itself as one of the premier small college programs in the Midwest. The Lady Cougars have posted a 686-304 overall record (.693 winning percentage) during the program's history, and the team has won five conference championships in the past seven years alone.
The 2000 season was no exception to MVNC's winning tradition as the Lady Cougars posted a 38-12 overall record and won a share of their third straight American Mideast Conference title. In postseason play, MVNC won the AMC Tournament, advanced to the semifinals of the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament, and played in the finals of the NAIA Region IX Tournament.
Head coach Paul Swanson must replace three seniors (Amy Shearrow, Scarlett Habrun, and Jai Holland) who finished their careers with a 178-36 record while wearing the blue and green uniforms of the Lady Cougars. However, MVNC will return 10 players with plenty of experience including five starters.
In addition to the returning players, the Lady Cougars have landed a big recruit for the 2001 season as MVNC has signed Katey Percival.
Percival, a 5-foot-9 setter from Elyria, Ohio, helped to lead Amherst Steele High School to a Southwestern Conference title, a sectional title, and a district championship with a 24-2 record as a senior in 2000. For her efforts, she was selected to the SWC First Team, the Lorain County First Team, the District 3 First Team, and the All-Ohio Honorable Mention Team.
"The MVNC volleyball program has improved itself by adding Katey," said Swanson, who has posted a 577-207 record in 17 seasons with the Lady Cougars. "We have added a mature, skilled, experienced setter. You do not often find a player as prepared as Katey to play in an excellent college program."
"In addition, we have added a great student and an excellent person," Swanson continued. "She is excited to pursue an education degree, and she will continue a long line of successful education majors who are excellent volleyball players. She is also excited to be a part of MVNC's Christian environment. She comes from a strong, positive family, and she has a delightful personality."
In addition to playing volleyball, Percival has excelled in the classroom as she was named to the Lorain County All-Academic Team in both her junior and senior years.
"There are several reasons why I chose to attend MVNC," said Percival of her college choice. "I chose MVNC because I really liked the volleyball team, all the girls, and Coach Swanson. I also loved the positive environment and uplifting atmosphere on campus. I also plan on majoring in elementary education, and MVNC has a very strong program."
With a veteran group of returning players and a quality recruit like Percival joining the team, the future looks bright for the Lady Cougars.
