Volleyball

Although volleyball had been one of the most popular sports for recreation among Centre women, volleyball and softball were the only sports in Kentucky in which Centre was not a leader in beginning varsity competition. Because the athletics department lacked the court space, equipment, staff, and budget to begin a program, Centre was one of the last colleges to sponsor a varsity volleyball team. Still, Centre women were early promoters of the sport. The women's volleyball sports-day was an annual event from 1961 until 1968, involving intramural teams from several Kentucky colleges and universities. As other schools began varsity programs, the volleyball sports-day faded.

A volleyball club was started around 1983, but it was not until 1986 that the volleyball club was recognized as an emerging sport by the college. In that year Roy Scudder-Davis, biology professor, volunteered to coach the team. In 1987 the team received varsity status, and Scudder-Davis hired as part-time coach. Part-time coaches continued to coach the volleyball team until 1989, when Cindy Noble-Hauserman was hired to coach basketball and volleyball. It would not be until two years later, in 1991, that the team was coached by someone with volleyball as their primary sport. The team record from 1987 to 1991 was 19-109, but from 1991 to 1998 improved to 138-123. In 1994 Laura Boswell was selected as Kentucky NCAA Woman of the Year. Under coach Stephanie Dragon the team recorded five straight 20+ win seasons between 2000 and 2004.

Source: Baird, Kitty Rogers. Women Athletes Blazing a Trail: a History of Women's Participation in Sport at a Small Liberal Arts College. (Centre College, 2001)