News

Britney Beavers	Joni Peelman	Jenny Morris

Britney Beavers, a 5-foot-11 forward from Circleville, Ohio, has been a part of the MVNU women’s basketball program for four years. After playing for the Lady Cougars as a freshman and sophomore, the former Logan Elm High School product was a student assistant last season. This year, she put the uniform back on and has provided depth at the forward position.

"Britney is one of those individuals who always has an engaging smile on her face,” said MVNU head coach Steve Gregory. "Don’t get me wrong, she is a fierce competitor and has worked hard in practice every day to continue to improve. She is a very technical player and has to do everything perfectly. She has done everything that I have asked her to do over the last four years.”

"I am excited about what Britney has become after watching her grow and mature over these last four years,” Gregory added. "She is so much more than a player on this team. I like to think that she is everyone’s big sister - the one you go to when you have a problem and need advice. She has always had a calming influence about her, and she is truly a coach’s dream. I am equally impressed with her academic record here at MVNU as she has carried a 3.6 GPA while majoring in fashion merchandising.”

Joni Peelman, a 5-foot-7 guard from Russiaville, Indiana, has been a three-year member of the Lady Cougars’ squad and is one of the team’s captains this season. The former Kokomo Christian High School graduate has added depth at the guard position for MVNU.

"I really can’t say enough great things about Joni,” said Gregory. "Not only is she a good player, but she is also our athletic trainer on the road and the nurse’s assistant here on campus. She is one of our small group leaders who spearhead our weekly team devotions, and I appreciate her taking on that role this year.”

"Joni has shown a lot of improvement in her game over the past three seasons,” Gregory added. "While she is a talented player, she is an even better person. I appreciate her support and great attitude, and I am grateful for her encouragement of her teammates in both good times and bad times - all while modeling our team-above-self motto. She has an infectious smile and a great personality. She has also done a good job in the classroom with a 3.4 GPA while majoring in biology with an emphasis on pre-physical therapy.”

Jenny (Slack) Morris, a 5-foot-8 wing from Mount Perry, Ohio, has been a key player for the Lady Cougars over the past four years. The former Sheridan High School star has played in 76 career games and compiled 508 points, 216 rebounds, 78 assists, and 52 steals. She has shot 74.2 percent from the free throw line (46-for-62) and is tied for eighth in school history with 108 three-pointers made. Slack has played in all 23 games this season with seven starts and is averaging 8.1 points to go with a team-leading 41 three-pointers.

"Jenny has been an important part of our team over the past four years,” said Gregory. "She has proven to be a threat from the three-point line, where she is shooting 35 percent for her career. The highlight of her career and our season came on Saturday when she nailed the game-winning three-pointer against Shawnee State in front of over 1,000 joyous fans.”

"Everything that Jenny has accomplished is impressive considering that her basketball future was in doubt after tearing her ACL during her sophomore year,” Gregory added. "She is a very aggressive player with good basketball instincts. She has worked very hard to overcome her injury and become a solid contributor again. She has compiled a 3.8 GPA as a social work major, and she was an NAIA and NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete last year.”

"All three of these seniors will be sorely missed,” Gregory concluded. "If my six-year-old daughter grows up to be anything like any one of these three seniors, then I will be very proud. As a team, we wish our seniors the very best in all their future endeavors.”