All fall sports teams had winning regular seasons
The volleyball team posted a 22-8 overall record, producing the most wins since 1998. Its 16-6 conference record also marked the most conference wins in school history. Outside hitters Erica Rottinghaus and Jesse Thorup led the team in kills with 396 and 394 respectively, and Rottinghaus capped her senior season with American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honors.
The Griffons are led by second-year head coach Marian Carbin ’07.
It was a season to remember for the decade-old soccer program. The Griffons set or tied 13 team records during their 9-9-1
The soccer team had a great season in 2014.
campaign, including most wins in a season and most shutouts in a season. The team made the conference postseason tournament for the first time in school history, and saw its season end in a 1-0 double overtime loss at Fort Hays.
Defense told the story of 2014, with the Griffons allowing less than one goal per game. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Lyle recorded eight shutouts, and fourth-year head soccer coach Chad Edwards also became the program’s all-time wins leader in 2014. The Griffons graduate just four seniors.
It was also another successful season for the football team, finishing 7-4. Defensively, the Griffons set two impressive marks: 179 total points allowed is second all-time to the 1993 team (162). The Griffons shut out opponents twice in a season for only the third time in program history.
Fourteen players were recognized with all-conference honors, including junior running back Raphael Spencer, named to the All-MIAA first team after rushing for 1,126 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior cornerback Michael Jordan recorded four interceptions and earned first-team All-American honors by the American Football Coaches Association.
Canady named new tennis coach
Last fall, Missouri Western hired Chris Canady, its first full-time women’s tennis coach. Canaday had served as director of high performance for Upper St. Clair Tennis Development in Pittsburgh, and had played and coached at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.
Griffon tennis begins its spring season Feb. 27.
Patsy Smith retires
Patsy Smith ’95, who came to Missouri Western as a student athlete 25 years ago, retired June 30, 2014 as senior associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator.
Smith played tennis as a nontraditional student and took on coaching responsibilities as a student in 1994. She led the team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1998, and that same year became the first business manager for Griffon Athletics. Since then, she has served in the department as compliance and academics, director of finance, assistant athletic director and her most recent role.
For sports schedules and information about Griffon Athletics, check out gogriffons.com.