We sat down with Coach Greg Shanower before his teams upcoming Semi regional action tonight at Palmetto Sr. at 7:00 PM tonight.
SFVR: When did your love for the game of Volleyball start?
SHANOWER: I grew up in Ohio and boy’s volleyball not a sport in Ohio yet. My love for volleyball started back in High School, my school did not have a team, but my father would drive me 2 hours away to play on a club team in Erie, PA. Then my loved continued when I played college at Kent State University.
SFVR: Please list out your coaching experience over the last 14 years?
SHANOWER:
95-97 Kent State University – Student Assistant
97-98 Hoover High School – Assistant Coach
98-99 Hiram College – Head Coach
99-03 St. Thomas Aquinas, Louisville Ohio – Head Coach
03-05 Miami Spring Senior – Head Coach
05- Present Ferguson High School – Head Coach
* Many club teams in Ohio as well
SFVR: What is a good age for a prospective player to start playing and learning the game of volleyball?
SHANOWER: It is never too early to play, however the trend seems to be 12 years of age.
SFVR: Do you know of any junior leagues that play Volleyball?
SHANOWER: There are a few clubs in the area that promote volleyball in the off season. VPA ran out of Sunset, SPIKE ran out of Killian, South Florida Flyers ran by me out of Ferguson. There are a few more that can be seen on the Florida USA volleyball website under juniors
SFVR: What can South Florida do to improve the level of Volleyball played?
SHANOWER: Start to get kids younger involved in volleyball. We are having a harder time however with the cut back on Middle School volleyball. If kids do not play club volleyball the first time they get exposed to volleyball may be their freshmen year in high school. Which if we want to compete down here in Florida or the United States it is too little to late.
SFVR: Besides High School, are you involved in any USAV or beach volleyball? SHANOWER: For the last 6 years in Miami I have been coaching both boys and girls in High School. This year I decided to focus on girls only and retired from coaching boys. This has freed up more time to start a club out of Ferguson called the South Florida Flyers. I am only starting this year with one team, but I am going to expand it next year. I have also taken a team to AAU nationals the last two years. Last year I played USAV in Ohio. I would fly to Ohio once a month to play with old college players in the area. We tried to qualify for Nationals but fell short in the Semi-Finals
SFVR: Back in August, what was your expectation regarding this year’s team?
SHANOWER: I knew that we could compete with most teams in Miami-Dade. My team is made up of 10 juniors and that is it. I do not loose anyone. I thought we would take more bumps then we have. They have gone beyond my expectations for this year. I thought we would be able to compete this year and next year would be our year. I guess the girls didn’t want to wait. Either way it has been a fun ride.
SFVR: What has been the constant message that you’ve given your team this year?
SHANOWER: “ONE HEARTBEAT ONE TEAM” That has been the motto ever since I got here to Ferguson, That and “Believe”. When I took over 3 years ago this team didn’t know how to win. I made them start to believe in themselves and set goals.
SFVR: As you find yourself at the regional semifinals, can you reflect for the readers what it has taken for you and the team to be in the hunt for the Championship?
SHANOWER: A lot of time, hard work, sweat, blood, and dedication from everyone on the team. I know that sounds vague, but I believe that every team out there has given the same thing all year no matter where they ended up at the end of the year. We are just happy we have been able to continue.
SFVR: What are the keys to advance beyond the upcoming game with Palmetto?
SHANOWER: WOW. That would be nice. To do that we need to focus on three things: Passing, Defense and Serving. Palmetto is a very good team with few weaknesses. It should be a great game.
SFVR: Will you be holding any volleyball camps for younger players in spring or summer?
SHANOWER: I hold a lot of conditionings and open gyms during the summer. I have always allowed other players from other schools to come. I think if we develop volleyball in general down here in Miami then we will all benefit.
SFVR: Coach we couldn’t agree more with you. The better South Florida players do on a state or national level the more opportunities that will be available to the younger players coming up in the system.
SFVR: Some fun facts about the coach:
SFVR: What is your favorite book?
SHANOWER: BO KNOWS BO. Autobiography about BO Jackson
SFVR: What is your favorite professional team?
SHANOWER: Cleveland Browns
SFVR: Do you go to the AVP when it’s in town?
SHANOWER: YES
SFVR: Do you follow any of the local college teams?
SHANOWER: I try to make it to as many FIU volleyball games as I can. They rock this year!
SFVR: Who is/are the player(s) you admire the most?
SHANOWER: I am really happy to see #4 Angelina Colon, which plays Libero and #12 Sabrina Gonzalez Middle Blocker for FIU. They are home town girls and I have had the privilege of coaching against both of them. I wish them well.
Coach we wish you and your team the very best in this years playoffs and regardless of tonight outcome we know Ferguson is in good hands.
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