## Baseball Dreams Come True: Idaho Student Lands Internship at National Hall of Fame

**Cooperstown Beckons With Historic Artifacts and Legends**


A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself to Isabelle Monk, a University of Idaho junior, when she was offered an internship at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  "It wasn't a question of if, but a question of when I could start," Monk said, expressing her enthusiasm for the chance to immerse herself in baseball history. 

This summer, Monk has been working at the museum based in Cooperstown, N.Y., a town she describes as "a town of about 2,000 people with one stoplight." The Hall of Fame, which opened in 1939, houses more than 40,000 baseball artifacts and serves as a repository for the sport's rich history.  Monk witnessed firsthand the museum's impact during last weekend's highly anticipated Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

"The most mind-boggling part of it all is how a town like this gets probably 30,000 or so people at the induction ceremony," Monk said, highlighting the event's significance and attracting tens of thousands of baseball fans annually.

Monk had the privilege of meeting several baseball legends during her unforgettable weekend in Cooperstown.  Growing up in Genesee, where sports were a constant presence, Monk fondly remembers watching major league games with her dad and papa, as well as trips to watch the NAIA World Series in Lewiston. 


**From Arizona to Cooperstown: An Internship Born from serendipity**

Monk's journey to this dream internship began last winter during an impulsive trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., with her mother, Kim Monk, the Idaho state director for the Make It With Wool program.  During a chance encounter, she met a Hall of Fame curator who provided her with a link to apply for the Steele Internship Program just a week before the deadline.


Monk, a marketing and public relations student at UI, secured a special events internship at the museum.  A key part of her role involved planning and coordinating for Hall of Fame Weekend, allowing her to interact with all the living Hall of Famers. 


## Baseball Dreams Come True: Idaho Student Lands Internship at National Hall of Fame

**Cooperstown Beckons With Historic Artifacts and Legends**


A once-in-a

UI student spends 2025 summer at Baseball Hall of Fame in Co

UI student spends 2025 summer at Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown

## Bears Soar to Third Winning Season in Four Years

**Shawnee State Volleyball Finishes Strong, Earns All-Conference Honors**

PORTSMOUTH – The Shawnee State volleyball team has proven itself a force to be reckoned with, securing its third winning season in the last four years with a 16-13 record for the 2024 campaign. Led by longtime alumni and head coach Devan Spriggs, the Bears showcased consistent play throughout the season, culminating in a strong finish.

**Finishing Strong: A Late Surge to Victory**

The final two months of the season saw the Bears dominate their opponents, winning 10 out of 15 matches. This impressive run propelled them from a 6-8 record to a final tally of 16-13, solidifying their position as a competitive team in the River States Conference (RSC). Six of those victories came in straight sets, demonstrating the Bears' ability to control the pace of play and secure decisive wins.  

Shawnee State also proved invincible on home court during October and November, boasting a perfect 7-0 record at Waller Gymnasium. This dominance helped them achieve an overall 8-2 home record for the season, highlighting their advantage playing in front of their dedicated fans.

**Gifford and Wamsley: A Powerful Duo Departs with Honors**

Seniors Kylee Gifford and Haidyn Wamsley left an indelible mark on the Shawnee State volleyball program. The formidable duo formed a powerful presence at the net throughout their careers, consistently delivering impressive performances. 

Gifford, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker from Wheelersburg, finished the season with 263 kills and a .307 attack percentage.  Her career totals include 761 kills, 285 total blocks (102 solo), and a .282 attack percentage. This earned her recognition as an Honorable Mention AVCA-NAIA All-Region selection. Gifford concluded her career ranked sixth in program history for total blocks, 12th in solo blocks, and 15th in career kills.

Wamsley, a springy 5-10 middle blocker from Otway (Northwest HS), led the team with 300 kills and 91 total blocks in the 2024 season. Over her four years at Shawnee State, she amassed 919 kills and 258 blocks, placing her eighth and ninth all-time in program history for those respective categories. Both Gifford and Wamsley were honored with First-Team all-RSC honors for the second consecutive year.

**Lovely Shines as Setter: A Promising Future Ahead**

Junior Makaela Lovely emerged as a key player during the latter half of the season, taking on the lead setting position and excelling in her role. Starting 15 of Shawnee State's final 17 matches in 2024, she amassed a career-high 675 assists over 29 matches played.  Lovely showcased remarkable consistency, recording at least 32 or more assists in six of Shawnee State's last nine matches. Her performance earned her recognition as a Third-Team all-RSC honoree.

**Looking Ahead: A Strong Foundation for Continued Success**


Coach Spriggs' dedication and leadership have been instrumental in the program's recent success, marked by three winning seasons in four years and 20 conference victories over the past two seasons.  With his continued involvement since 2011, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the team into a competitive force within the RSC.


The upcoming season promises excitement as Spriggs returns to lead the Bears alongside assistant coach Sydney Seth. The roster boasts 18 players, including nine returning letterwinners and a four-player senior class comprising Lovely, Megan Steele, Reagan Lewis, and Ava Jenkins. Lewis and Jenkins, both standout players from Northwest High School, are poised to contribute significantly to the team's success.



For more information about the Shawnee State volleyball program, visit: https://ssubears.com/, https://www.instagram.com/ssuvb/, and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057197839907 


## Bears Soar to Third Winning Season in Four Years

**Shawnee State Volleyball Finishes Strong, Earns All-Conference Honors**

PORTSMOUTH – The Shawnee State v

Season Review: SSU volleyball maintained consistent strides 

Season Review: SSU volleyball maintained consistent strides in 2024

## Two Former Assistants Lead Their Alma Maters

**Cantarella Takes Over Softball at Dunmore; Hooper Heads Girls Basketball at Mid Valley**

Two familiar faces are stepping into head coaching roles at their alma maters this fall. Sarah (Ross) Cantarella has been named the new softball coach at Dunmore, while Stephen Hooper takes the helm of the girls basketball program at Mid Valley. 

Both coaches recently served as assistant coaches for the successful Mid Valley softball team that captured the District 2 Class 3A title and reached the PIAA Class 3A semifinals this spring. 

"I’m really excited and feel really fortunate to go back to a program that built me into the athlete and the person that I am today,” Cantarella said. “I want to be able to give back and help others do the same thing.”


Cantarella, a 2014 Dunmore graduate, returns to her high school after spending six seasons as an assistant softball coach under Mike Piercy at Mid Valley.  She played collegiately at Concordia College in New York before becoming a sixth-grade math teacher in the Mid Valley School District.

“I was really fortunate. Mid Valley is a wonderful program,” Cantarella said. “From coach Piercy and the other assistants, I learned so much and grew so much as a coach. I hope to be able to implement everything I learned from them into Dunmore and help build the program and be successful.”


Cantarella inherits a team that finished 12-9 overall last season, losing in the District 2 Class 2A semifinals to eventual champion Holy Redeemer. The Lady Bucks return several key players, including Rachel Walsh, a Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association second-team all-state selection in Class 2A.

Hooper, a 2009 Mid Valley graduate who played basketball for coach Mark Mazak, brings his coaching experience to the girls basketball program after 10 years as an assistant with the Mid Valley baseball team and seven seasons as a girls basketball assistant. He succeeds Denise Larson.


“I’m super excited to get to work,” Hooper said. “Being in the program, I know we have some girls coming back and some of the junior high girls coming up. It’s my alma mater and something I’ve always dreamed of doing since I got into coaching. I’m excited the school gave me the opportunity.”

Hooper's familiarity with the players gives him a head start as he aims to build on last season’s 15-8 record and first-round District 2 Class 4A playoff loss to Nanticoke Area.

“I feel like that’s a huge advantage for me,” Hooper said. “I’ve coached every girl at one point in junior high. The fact I don’t have to develop relationships, they’re already built in, has allowed me to hit the ground running as I take over.”


He plans to continue the defensive focus established by Larson and incorporate a faster-paced offense with the returning players.

“We were on the same page, that’s why we got along so well,” Hooper said. “We both wanted to be really gritty on the defensive end. I don’t foresee that changing. We want to get after it defensively.”



Hooper cites his former coach Mazak as a mentor and hopes to emulate his coaching style, building strong relationships with his players and creating a positive experience. 

These changes mark four new girls basketball coaches entering the Lackawanna League next season, with Dante Lucarelli at Old Forge, Joe Ferguson returning to North Pocono, and Jamie Armillay taking over at Riverside.




## Two Former Assistants Lead Their Alma Maters

**Cantarella Takes Over Softball at Dunmore; Hooper Heads Girls Basketball at Mid Valley**

Two familiar faces 

#Team sports

UI student spends 2025 summer at Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown

Season Review: SSU volleyball maintained consistent strides in 2024

HIGH SCHOOL: Cantarella, Hooper tabbed as head coaches