ATLANTA – Oglethorpe Director of Athletics Todd Brooks announced Thursday that Danielle Shearer will take over the reins of the Stormy Petrel volleyball program as the next head coach, effective Feb. 7. Shearer served Oglethorpe each of the last three seasons as assistant coach before stepping into the interim head coach role for the past month.

"I am extremely pleased to announce Danielle Shearer as our new head volleyball coach," said Brooks. "Danielle has an abundance of knowledge and experience that will help continue the positive trajectory our program has taken over the past couple of years. As an assistant coach to our program for those same years, she was instrumental in the positive progress made within our program. I am confident that Danielle will be able to help us reach our aspirations of competing for the SAA championship on an annual basis."

Shearer's second season on former head coach Anna Braun's staff saw the Stormy Petrels finish in the top three of the Southern Athletic Association for the first time in school history. They also posted their first win over a national top-25 program since joining NCAA Division III, topping No. 21 Hendrix in straight sets on the road.

Most recently, Shearer assisted the Oglethorpe volleyball program to a 10-win season that featured a strong start and strong finish.

One of Shearer's primary responsibilities included leading the defense, and the Stormy Petrels boasted one of the best defenses in the nation. Kinsey Wilson earned the NCAA Division III statistical champion for blocks per set at 1.32 last fall, and three individuals finished in the top five in the SAA for blocking. Shearer's defense and blocking scheme also helped Oglethorpe rank No. 3 in NCAA Division III and No. 1 in the SAA for team blocks per set (2.36) this season. In 2020, it ranked No. 10 in Division III and No. 2 in the SAA, with two individuals ranking in the top 10 in the conference.

"I am thankful to have been part of the incredible growth of the Oglethorpe volleyball program under Coach Braun and am excited for the opportunity to lead as the next head coach," Shearer said. "I am looking forward to working with this incredibly driven athletic department and want to thank Todd Brooks and the search committee for believing in my vision for the program moving forward. I intend to continue to build upon the strong foundations established while progressing toward becoming a contender at the highest level of play."

Shearer takes over a program led by Braun from 2019 to 2021. Braun stepped down from the role to spend more time with her young children and growing family after the past fall season.

Prior to Oglethorpe
Shearer coached in several youth and high school capacities, including the A5 Volleyball Club in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. During this time, the team combined for a 33-5 record, won three local tournaments, and ranked No. 5 at the USAV National Championship in the Power Division.

In 2018, Shearer was the head junior varsity coach at Harrison High School, and from 2013 to 2018, Shearer was the head coach for North Atlanta Volleyball Club.

Shearer enjoyed a successful playing career at Emmanuel College during its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Shearer earned conference distinctions as All-Freshman and All-Conference second team, and national distinctions as NAIA All-Area first team and NCAA Division II All-Area first team. She also earned academic recognition on the Dean's List.

Shearer earned an associate degree in kinesiology from Emmanuel in 2015, a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Kennesaw State University in 2017, and a Master of Science degree in sports administration from Georgia State University in 2021. She is married to CJ Shearer, the head men's volleyball coach at Life University in Marietta.