Published: March 18, 2008 10:53 pm      

Volleyball headed to OC

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Oklahoma Christian University will launch a varsity program for women’s volleyball in 2009-10, school officials announced Friday.

The university will hire a new head coach by the start of the upcoming school year in order to begin putting together a team and staff for the program’s debut in fall 2009.

“We are excited to add a seventh women’s sport here at Oklahoma Christian,” OC athletic director DeWayne Hall said. “We really saw a groundswell of support for volleyball. It’s a fast-paced and fan-friendly sport, and it’s going to be a great addition to our athletic department.”

Oklahoma Christian previously had an intercollegiate volleyball program from 1976 to 1983. The Lady Eagles competed in the Oklahoma Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women before moving to the Sooner Athletic Conference and NAIA District IX.

The program’s eight-year run was highlighted by multiple playoff appearances, including a 1978 postseason that saw Coach Laura Beth Jobe’s team finish second in the OAIAW state tournament and advance to the regional tournament.

In addition to Jobe’s five-year tenure as head coach (1976-1979, 1982), Oklahoma Christian volleyball alumna Terri Stewart coached the Lady Eagles for two years and Pete Brazile and Kerry Tremain combined to coach the team in 1983, the program’s final season.

A nationwide search for a new coach will begin immediately.