LEWISTON, Idaho – Chelsea Shears, a 5-foot-4 defensive specialist/libero from Valley Christian High School in San Jose, Calif., has signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Lewis-Clark State College volleyball team, Warrior assistant coach Burdette Greeny has announced.
Shears was a three-year standout for Valley Christian. Her team reached the California Interscholastic Federation’s Central Coast Section DIV quarterfinals during her sophomore year. During her junior and senior seasons, the team qualified for the Central Coast Section IIII finals and the CIF NorCal playoffs.
This past year, Shears served as team captain and also won the team’s Coaches’ Award.
“We are very happy that Chelsea chose us,” Greeny said. “She is an athletic player with good footwork, a solid platform, a nice jump float serve, and an all-around fundamental skill set to build from. What Jen and I liked about Chelsea is her vocal presence on the court, which is extremely important for all players – especially back row players. It makes sense to us why an NCAA Division I program close to her home really wanted Chelsea. She has a chance to be a contributor right away for us next year.”
Shears also played for the City Beach/Stingray club team.
“Every recruit’s commitment has a story behind it, but her path to it might have been one of the more unique we have had,” Greeny said. “We always urge the recruits we want to join our program to make sure that they feel wanted and that they want to be here. Chelsea and her father had a great visit here, she knew she was wanted, and we knew that she fit in. She initially decided on a perennial national power from the GSAC that was closer to home, but Chelsea found her heart was not at peace. A week of searching which saw many purposeful signs laid before her led Chelsea back to us. If it wasn’t for people on campus like Education Professor Bill Hayne and the welcoming arms of our players, I don’t think Chelsea would have reconsidered. Chelsea felt our program was where she was supposed to be and are we excited she did.
“Our coaching staff strives to find high character individuals who can make a difference in the lives they touch by just being themselves. We believe we found someone in Chelsea that can make our team, athletic department, campus, and community better place to be a member of and live.”
"The coaching staff and players here at LC State immediately embraced me as one of their family members,” Shears said. “It's comforting to know that while I'm relatively far from home I have an extended family that shares the same values and passion to be the best that I can both on and off the court. I feel very fortunate for the opportunity that God has placed before me and look forward to the upcoming season."
Shears’ hobbies include wakeboarding and tubing in the summer time with my family and friends as well as hiking, fishing, and camping.
LCSC tied for the FC regular-season title last year, the third straight season the Warriors have finished in first place. LCSC also won the conference tournament title for the third straight year and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. LCSC posted a 25-9 record last year.
