YSU volleyball coaches fired after disappointing '09 season
Chelsea Miller SPORTS REPORTER
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Sports
Any hope of the Youngstown State University women's volleyball team having a championship run this year has vanished as it lost the last seven matches of the season. To add to the heartbreak, head coach of five years, Joe Bonner, along with assistant coach Darcy Thompson, were fired following the season finale Saturday.
Assistant sports information director John Vogel said this season provided enough evidence that a change had to be made.
"[Bonner] has been here for five years. It was evident that the program needed to head in a different direction," he said.
Vogel added although Thompson was terminated along with Bonner, it is possible she may be back in the future. For now, the athletic department is moving ahead.
"We put the job description up on the Web site that there's a vacancy … the deadline's Dec. 4 for applications. We'll have a search committee after that," Vogel said.
Bonner said he and the team members were just beginning to figure out their identities, but it proved to be too late.
"It's sad. We were just figuring things out," he said. "I think the administration here is wonderful, and they know what they need to do to move forward … I want [the team] to move forward and start a new journey."
Bonner said he hopes to coach in the future, and that he is going to miss coaching at YSU.
"I'm going to miss all aspects of [coaching here]. I'm gonna miss the experiences and the relationships with the players I've made," Bonner said.
Despite recent events, the Penguins wrapped up their season with something to show heading into the future.
Ruth Boscaljon, a senior and team leader this year, ended her career with 1,340 kills and 490 total blocks, leaving as the school record holder in career-hitting percentage. She also ranks second in career blocks and third in career kills.
Angela Roidt, a strong newcomer this year, finished sixth this season in assists in the Horizon League standings and made all-newcomer team in the conference.
The team ended its season at 5-11 in the Horizon League and 7-21 overall. The Penguins were seeded seventh in the tournament. Their finish was the highest since joining the Horizon League in 2001.
Assistant sports information director John Vogel said this season provided enough evidence that a change had to be made.
"[Bonner] has been here for five years. It was evident that the program needed to head in a different direction," he said.
Vogel added although Thompson was terminated along with Bonner, it is possible she may be back in the future. For now, the athletic department is moving ahead.
"We put the job description up on the Web site that there's a vacancy … the deadline's Dec. 4 for applications. We'll have a search committee after that," Vogel said.
Bonner said he and the team members were just beginning to figure out their identities, but it proved to be too late.
"It's sad. We were just figuring things out," he said. "I think the administration here is wonderful, and they know what they need to do to move forward … I want [the team] to move forward and start a new journey."
Bonner said he hopes to coach in the future, and that he is going to miss coaching at YSU.
"I'm going to miss all aspects of [coaching here]. I'm gonna miss the experiences and the relationships with the players I've made," Bonner said.
Despite recent events, the Penguins wrapped up their season with something to show heading into the future.
Ruth Boscaljon, a senior and team leader this year, ended her career with 1,340 kills and 490 total blocks, leaving as the school record holder in career-hitting percentage. She also ranks second in career blocks and third in career kills.
Angela Roidt, a strong newcomer this year, finished sixth this season in assists in the Horizon League standings and made all-newcomer team in the conference.
The team ended its season at 5-11 in the Horizon League and 7-21 overall. The Penguins were seeded seventh in the tournament. Their finish was the highest since joining the Horizon League in 2001.
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