More than a month ago, PCM’s Shelby Voeller was likely headed to Des Moines Area Community College. She was planning to walk on to the Bears’ volleyball team.
But after Southwestern Community College head volleyball coach Shaela Camp reached out to the Mustang senior, Voeller’s path to collegiate volleyball was altered.
“SWCC was totally a God thing,” Voeller said. “About (five) weeks ago, Coach Camp reached out to me after seeing my film online. She said she was very interested in having me play for them, and it all fell together so fast. I had a visit within four days, on June 16, and I knew after that visit I would be making SWCC my home.”
Voeller made it official a few weeks ago with a signing ceremony at PCM High School. She plans to be a Spartan in the fall with the hopes of helping SWCC to its first winning season since 2013.
Voeller said she looked at numerous schools before SWCC came into the mix. She made several visits, including one out of state to Crown College in Minnesota. DMACC wasn’t too far from home and it was affordable.
The same can now be said about SWCC, which is located about two hours away in Creston. SWCC and DMACC are in the same conference and the two programs are scheduled to play each other on Sept. 23 in Boone.
“I chose SWCC for many reasons. The main one being the coaching staff. They instantly showed me that they not only cared about my success on the court but off as well,” Voeller said. “Coach Camp has been great — I am committing pretty last minute, so having a coach who knows what needs to get done and is on top of things has been so beneficial.”
Camp was the co-head coach for the Spartans last year and starts her first year as head coach this fall.
Another reason Voeller chose SWCC was because of the community support, proximity to home and affordability.
“I love the campus and love the small-town feel,” Voeller said. “Coach said we have great home game turnouts so I’m excited to fill the stands. They have great facilities as well. I’m eager to be close to home as I have a younger brother and still want to be present for a lot of his high school moments.”
SWCC volleyball was 5-33 last year and 14-21 the season before.
The Spartans’ last winning record came in 2013 when they finished 37-10.
Camp’s first look at Voeller came by way of video. It didn’t take long for the SWCC coach to see something she liked.
“I saw a video of Shelby on NCSA and the first set she did she was sprinting to a ball and went down to her knees to set it and it was a fantastic set to the outside hitter,” Camp said. “I knew right when I saw that hustle and dedication that I wanted Shelby to be on my team.”
Voeller was a two-year starter at setter for the Mustangs.
In 2019, Voeller led the team in assists with 152 and also finished with 56 digs, 25 kills, 10 aces and eight blocks. She was 61-of-79 in serves.
In 2018, Voeller recorded a team-high 217 assists, eight blocks and 30 aces. She also added 37 kills, 42 digs and was 140-of-167 in serves.
In a secondary role as a sophomore, Voeller chipped in 25 assists and was 18-of-21 in serves.
Voeller said she was recruited to play setter at SWCC but is prepared to play wherever. Camp confirmed her desire to use Voeller as a setter.
Voeller had never set a volleyball until her sophomore season at PCM. Mustang coach Alex Samson saw potential in Voeller back then and the Mustang senior is grateful. She also decided so late to play for SWCC because she wasn’t quite sure if she wanted to devote the her time into playing or coaching.
Voeller plans to take part in the science transfer program at SWCC. Her tentative career path involves something in the medical field.
