Over the past four years, MVNU has compiled a 141-45 overall record (.758 winning percentage). This season, the Lady Cougars are 34-1 overall and ranked 15th in the latest NAIA national poll - the highest ranking in the program’s history. The team is 10-0 in the AMC South Division and guaranteed no worse than a tie for the conference title, and MVNU has also posted a 14-0 mark in the friendly confines of the Physical Education Center.

Milburn, a libero from Centerburg, Ohio, has been a key contributor for the Lady Cougars over the past four years as the team’s top defensive player. The former Centerburg High School standout ranks first in school history in career serve reception attempts (3,581), third in career digs (2,391), fourth in career aces (194) and career serve reception percentage (.934), and eighth in career serve attempts (2,467). She also set school single-season records for digs (851) and serve reception attempts (1,439) last season when she was selected as a National Christian College Athletic Association Second Team All-American.

Beheler, a middle hitter from Butler, Ohio, has put together one of the best all-around careers in MVNU’s storied volleyball tradition. The former Fredericktown High School star ranks second in school history in career kills (2,606) and career blocks (919), third in career aces (196) and career serve attempts (2,701), tenth in career serve reception attempts (2,180), and twelfth in career digs (1,461). She also set school single-season records for kills (792) and kills per game (4.63) last season when she was named the NCCAA National Player of the Year and selected as an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American for the second straight year.

While MVNU fans have come to appreciate the talents of this duo on the court over the past four seasons, Milburn and Beheler have ties to the Lady Cougars’ program that date back to more than a decade ago.

For Milburn, the journey to MVNU began in sixth grade when she first met Lady Cougars’ head coach Paul Swanson when he was conducting his annual summer camp for the Centerburg volleyball program. “I felt that these camps were a great time for me to learn new skills and get my hands on the ball during the summer time,” said Milburn. “Once I started going, I went every year after that. I feel that all those camps really helped get me where I am today.”

Beheler also had a similar first experience with Coach Swanson and the MVNU volleyball program when she began attending summer camp during her high school years. In addition, she was very familiar with the Lady Cougars’ program as she followed the successful college career of Carrie (McClelland) Mason, who had also played at Fredericktown High School.

When it came time to chose where to go to college, both Milburn and Beheler had several options to consider. For Milburn, one of her top considerations was to go to Ashland University to run track. However, she decided that she wanted to play volleyball due to the fact that it was more of a team sport and she wanted a team experience. With her mom, Angie, working at MVNU as part of the housekeeping staff, the fact that the school was so close to home, and her familiarity with Coach Swanson, the decision to join the Lady Cougars was the end result.

“I love to be around my family and be involved in what is going on in their lives, so going to school close to home was important to me,” said Milburn. “Another major reason to come to MVNU was that I knew Coach pretty well since he had been involved with my school and volleyball since I was young. My mom working here also played a big part in my decision.”

Beheler’s college choice followed a much different route. She had a guaranteed spot on the Ohio State University roster, but in the first week of August 2003 just prior to what would have been her freshman season she contacted Swanson to see if it might still be possible to join the Lady Cougars. Swanson told her that he would love to have her join the team, but that she would have to red-shirt that season because he felt that he owed it to the rest of the team that he had already assembled to let them have the playing time that they had been promised.

“To play at the Division I level is any young player’s dream and I was given that opportunity,” said Beheler. “I had made plans to play there as a freshman, but I had hesitations mainly due to the intensity of the time and travel that would be involved and possibly if I would see any playing time my freshman year. I wanted a school where I would have the best chance of playing and contributing all four years. When I made a pro/con list of which school to attend, the positives where directed more towards MVNU. It also helped to talk to Carrie (Mason) about her thoughts on MVNU and her volleyball experiences there.”

“The fact that I have family who works here did play a role in my overall decision, but it was not the deciding factor,” added Beheler, whose step mom, Debbie, works in the accounting department at MVNU. “I also am involved in my home church (Palmyra Church of Christ) and did not want to be too far away from it. I feel that all things in my life are God’s will. My success at school, my loving family, my wonderful friends and teammates are all gifts and I do not take them for granted. It was a difficult decision between Ohio State and MVNU, but I felt that God was directing me to MVNU.”

Ironically, Beheler and Milburn played at rival high schools that competed each year for the Mid-Buckeye Conference title. Milburn helped Centerburg to three conference and regional titles and the school’s first state championship as a senior in 2003. Meanwhile, Beheler led Fredericktown to two district titles and two regional runner-up finishes and was named a Second Team All-Ohioan.

Despite the high school rivalry, the two have had no problem working together with the Lady Cougars. “In high school, I always wanted to beat Centerburg more than anything, but when the match was over I always looked forward to talking to (former Centerburg and then MVNU standouts) Rachael (Stevens) Walpole and Amanda (Stevens) Kenney,” said Beheler. “We played on the same Junior Olympic teams and formed lasting friendships through the years. I definitely remembered Tiffany from high school. Rachael told me that she was a riot to be around and that once I got to know her that I would enjoy her as a teammate and friend. It has been fun and Rachael could not have described her any better. She has a very personable personality and loves people. I am glad that I had the chance to be a senior with her.”

“Tiffany is so solid with the defensive side of the game,” Beheler added. “She has picked up her game so much this year that I feel like she could cover the back court all on her own. It is a great feeling knowing that she is back there. The libero position was made for her.”

“I do remember playing against Shena in high school - who wouldn’t,” laughed Milburn, who has seen plenty of opponents try to stop Beheler’s attacks. “I have known her since high school and I have always thought that she was a great player and person. It has been great having her as a teammate all four years. She is a great athlete, person, and friend. My senior year would not have been the same without her here. There are no words to say adequately, but she is an awesome person all the way around.”

With their college choices behind them, it was time for the two players to start playing. After Beheler watched the Lady Cougars post a 36-10 record in 2003 as a red-shirt while Milburn was helping Centerburg to a state title as a senior, the duo joined forces as part of MVNU’s freshmen class in 2004. Over the next three seasons, the team went 34-14, 42-12, and 31-18 respectively but failed to win a conference title or advance past the NAIA Region IX Tournament despite advancing to the championship match twice (2004 and 2005). This season, the Lady Cougars have already clinched at least a share of the AMC South Division title, and Beheler and Milburn hope to cap off their careers with what would be the program’s first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

However, success on the court is not the only thing that has defined this pair’s time at MVNU. Both are quick to point out that relationships along with personal and spiritual growth have been and will continue to be some of their fondest memories of their time at MVNU.

“I feel that MVNU has prepared me for the future and has guided me to be the best I can be once I am finished here,” said Milburn. “There is a great atmosphere here and the professors have one goal - to teach you skills and inform you about the Lord. This is a great place to learn more about your profession and the Lord.”

“When I came in as a freshman, I was not saved,” Milburn added. “I was around the church my whole life, but I had just never made that personal commitment to God. Coming to chapel my freshman year and hearing all the great sermons made me really think about how important life is with Christ in it. I just felt it was time to give everything to the Lord. Since then, I have seen God work in my life through relationships, volleyball, and academics. I have grown to know the Lord so much more these four years than I could ever have dreamed.”

“I have changed in so many ways as a person,” continued Milburn. “One example would be emotionally. In the past, I used to be really hard on myself and it affected how I played on the court. I feel I have made a huge improvement in that area. My teammates and Coach have been the biggest influences in my four years here at MVNU. The girls I have become friends with have changed my life forever. The experiences I have had with Coach and the girls compares to nothing else I would have experienced anywhere else.”

“It has been so rewarding to see the maturity in Tiffany,” said Swanson, who is the NAIA’s all-time wins leader with a career record of 844-298 in 25 years of coaching. “She came to MVNU as a very social, outgoing, talkative, yet spiritually uncommitted person. She made a decision for Christ and has grown so much in her faith and in caring about other people. As a player, she was very emotional and played up and down. Now, she has developed into a very controlled, focused, consistent player.”

“MVNU has given me many new opportunities to meet people, travel, and receive an excellent education,” said Beheler. “The atmosphere at MVNU is what I was searching for with its strong education program and Christian environment. The people at MVNU are so caring and supportive to all of their students, and I knew that the small college hospitality was exactly what I needed. I have been so blessed to play with so many neat people.”

“I feel that I am a stronger individual in several ways,” added Beheler. “I have stepped out of my box - socially and spiritually. I am much more confident when I am dealing with people in general and much more outgoing with my witnessing. Playing at MVNU has been so fun mainly because of my teammates over the past five years. We are a tight group and look out for each other year after year. I truly miss my former teammates who have graduated and I am so excited when they come back to watch a match or two. This alone exemplifies the impact that your teammates make on your life.”

“Shena has been a thrill to watch as a player - one of the best players in the history of our fine program,” said Swanson. “What has been the most interesting and rewarding has been watching and encouraging her growth as a student, person, and Christian young woman. As someone who had average preparation to be a college student, she has blossomed into a strong academic student. As someone who was shy, reserved, and awkward socially with people and her team, she has risen to be an effective student teacher, verbal leader, and outgoing person. As someone who was unsure of her commitment spiritually, she has matured into a Christian young woman with strong personal convictions and beliefs.”

For Beheler, this final special season nearly did not happen as she had some tough decisions to make prior to the start of the 2007 campaign. As a physical education/health education major, she knew that she would be student teaching while also trying to play a sport that would require a lot of travel and time commitments.

“I was concerned that playing volleyball and student-teaching would have too many conflicts,” said Beheler. “I wanted to make sure that I did my best at both. Coach Swanson and my education professors all agreed that it would be a challenge, but that they would do their best to support me in order to make it work. Dr. (Bevin) Shiverdecker, Ms. (Jean) Taylor, and Coach have all done a great job of working with me to help make my student teaching experience great thus far.”

“I have an excellent cooperating teacher and MVNU supervisor,” Beheler added. “The people involved in this journey are what are making it happen and I am very thankful. The students at Butler Elementary are also wonderful. I am so thrilled that I decided to play. I have enjoyed this season so much and thoroughly enjoy my teammates.”

Both Milburn and Beheler hope to see the season continue for several more weeks before seeing their careers come to an end and moving on to life after college volleyball. Milburn is engaged and has a summer wedding planned. The sports management major would like to land a job as a personal trainer while also hoping to coach volleyball at some point. Beheler would like to find a teaching job in the area and start work on earning her master’s degree soon after graduation.

“I have so many memories from my time at MVNU,” said Milburn. “The awesome van rides, singing at the top of our lungs for hours. Hotel experiences were a great time to bond with the team and enjoy one another. I also enjoyed shopping at the Mall of America the past two years when we played at NCCAA Nationals. My favorite memories, though, would have to be playing the sport I love and sharing it with a lot of great people along the way. I really want to say thanks to everyone who has made my experience here at MVNU a great one. I love you guys!”

“I really enjoy the fact that my family and friends have been able to attend almost all of my matches,” said Beheler. “I have enjoyed the time with my teammates - especially the heart-to-heart talks with everyone, late night euchre tournaments, and being able to eat at people’s homes. I like getting to know where they live and talk to their families. It is also so much fun to play with a big crowd of fans like we have at our home matches between the Cougar Crazies (MVNU students) and all the family members that are there because you get such a rush. These are just a few of the many memories that I will cherish and look back on throughout my lifetime. I have enjoyed every moment that I have spent with this team and just want the season to go on and on. I will deeply miss this team when (the season) is over.”

Following Tuesday’s match against Shawnee State, the Lady Cougars will close out the regular season at Walsh University on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Then, the team will compete in the AMC Tournament on November 9-10 with the six-team tournament featuring two pool play matches on November 9 with the top four teams advancing to a single elimination bracket on November 10. The winner of the AMC Tournament receives an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament in Columbia, Missouri, on November 28-December 1.