Her first year at Southwest Baptist, Thea Trusedale will be a strong addition to the Lady Bearcat volleyball coaching staff.

Trusedale comes to SBU after teaching for two years in the Conway (Mo.) school system. She taught six grade while being the high school and junior high volleyball coach.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Evangel University in 2000. At Evangel, she played all four years as the defensive specialist. She was also the team chaplain.

Originally from Winnebago, Illinois, Trusdale was an all-conference setter for Winnebago H.S. She was also a member of the National Honor Society.