Bartley moves from assistant coach to interim head coach for OPSU volleyball

OPSU Athletics
Dave Beyer, Sports Information Director

GOODWELL – Oklahoma Panhandle State University Athletics has announced that Shelby Bartley – the Aggies’ assistant volleyball coach in 2018 – has been named as the interim head volleyball coach for the upcoming season.

“I am impressed with Coach Bartley’s confidence and character as she steps up the head coach position,” OPSU President Dr. Tim Faltyn said. “I’m told she was a major part of the leadership that made history last season and I am so grateful that she is committed to our current players, our recruits and the Panhandle State Family. The future is bright for volleyball at Panhandle. I’m looking forward to joining our fans, boosters and alumni as we support this program of excellence on our campus.”

Bartley helped the Panhandle squad to its first-ever conference post-season play on record in 2018.  The team ended their regular season with an overall record of 9-20 and going 7-13 in conference, accruing the most wins in a season as far back as records date. In all, three Aggies earned All-Sooner Athletic Conference honors, with juniors Kendra Butler and McKenna Clement each earning second team spots on the all-conference roster, for their positions at middle blocker and libero respectively, and setter Cailyn Berry claiming honorable mention recognition for her stellar freshman season.

“I want to start off by thanking Dr. Faltyn, (Director of Athletics) Meghan Mulcahy and the OPSU athletic staff for this opportunity,” Bartley reflected. “I look forward in continuing the building process of this program and to also build a legacy of a program that will be carried out for seasons to come. This season, I am eager to help this team in coming together as a unit and compete to represent Panhandle Volleyball with pride and confidence.”

Bartley is no stranger to the NAIA or volleyball in this region. Bartley was a standout volleyball player at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, N.M. She earned the team’s “Newcomer of the Year” award in 2016-17 and was a two-time first-team All-Red River Athletic Conference honoree. She was USW’s “Student-Athlete of the Year” as a senior in 2017-18.

Bartley also got it done in the classroom. She was an NAIA Scholar-Athlete award winner her senior year and also earned the Mustangs’ “Scholar-Athlete of the Year” award in 2017-18, as well. She also received the RRAC’s “A.O. Doer Scholarship” as a senior.

“Shelby has demonstrated a strong volleyball knowledge and work ethic for our program,” Mulcahy said. “Our main focus is providing our student-athletes and program with the best possible environment for success this season. With Shelby guiding the program, I think we have accomplished that.”

Bartley also competed for USW’s track and field program, where she, likewise, earned “Newcomer of the Year” accolades. As a senior, she was all-conference in three events: shot put, javelin and the 800 meters.

Bartley graduated from USW with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology and a minor in biology

The Aggies open the 2019 season at the KCAC Fall Fling in Hutchison, Kan. OPSU will play four games in the tournament, set for Aug. 23-24.

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