December 28, 2022 | by Taylor Pill

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Maranatha Baptist University Athletic Department announced today that Shawn Spencer has stepped in as the new Head Coach of Maranatha Men's Volleyball - a staffing change that was finalized early on in the fall semester.

Spencer graduated from West Virginia University Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering ('96) and is currently completing an M.S. in Chemistry from Grand Canyon University. Spencer also earned an M.Min. from Crown School of the Bible in Tennessee, an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Maranatha Baptist Seminary, and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Maranatha Baptist Seminary.

Spencer's volleyball experience includes playing eight years in the unique two-man grass-court game in the Roanoke Valley Volleyball Association and coaching six years of high school girl's volleyball at Athens Christian Prep in Athens, Texas.

Most recently, Spencer assisted Maranatha's Women's Volleyball Team this fall as they set records and made a run to the NCCAA DII National Final Four (story).

Spencer arrived at Maranatha this summer with his wife, Marla, and their four children, and he has been teaching chemistry at MBU since then. His mission as a head coach extends beyond the marks of the court and the wins and losses.

"I am looking forward to getting to know and working with a group of Christian men in an athletic setting," Spencer said. "I am also looking forward to developing a team that loves one another and has a good testimony on and off the court. I would like to build confidence and speed into our practice in order to develop a quick offense and a skilled defense."

“We look forward to Shawn Spencer taking the helm of the MBU Sabercats Men’s Volleyball program," said Maranatha's Athletic Director, Rob Thompson. "Coach Spencer’s experience as a player, albeit two-man, will be quite valuable to the team’s progress and improvement. Having the opportunity to spend the 2022 fall season under the mentorship of retiring Women’s Head Coach Regina DeLozier will also prove its value this spring, as Coach Spencer focused on learning the 6-player rotation, systems of play, and court responsibilities.

"Additionally, we look forward to the stability and maturity that Coach Spencer will bring to the bench for the 2023 Sabercats. Coach Spencer’s southern mannerisms and vocabulary will quickly catch on for the men’s team, and by the end of the season, they will likely finish with a good ole’ fashioned corn boil at Coach's house."

Spencer fills the head coaching role after Coach Regin DeLozier announced her retirement in September.

For more on the Men's Volleyball program, go here.