LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Head Coach Tabitha Turner has resigned her position as head coach of the University of West Alabama volleyball team to assume the same role at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C.  Assistant coach Mike Shearer has been promoted as UWA's Interim Head Coach for the 2012 season.
 
Turner leaves behind a 61-40 record at UWA. In her four seasons, the Tigers made four trips to the Gulf South Conference Tournament as well as a GSC East Division Championship in 2009. The Wilmington, N.C., native was also named the 2009 GSC East Division Co-Coach of the Year and made the Thirty Under 30 list as voted on by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
 
Taking over Turner is current assistant coach Mike Shearer. With a resume that includes stops at Elon University, the College of Charleston, Edinboro University and Villanova University, Shearer brings a wealth of knowledge to the court in 2012.
 
Most recently, Shearer spent one season at Elon as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator where he helped the squad to a 19-14 overall record and mentored two SoCon All-Freshmen performers. Prior to his stint there, he served two seasons as the assistant coach at the College of Charleston. Shearer helped guide the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament in 2009, while assisting with all aspects of the successful NCAA Division I program.

Shearer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Penn State in 1997 and also earned a Teacher Certification in Health and Physical Education, with a minor in Coaching, in 2002 from West Chester University (West Chester, Pa). He also has served as a Health and Physical Education Teacher for the North Penn School District and Collegium Charter School in his career.