Former Lion Kelby Fritz joins MSSU women's basketball staff

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Women's Basketball head coach Ronnie Ressel announce the addition of former Lion Kelby Fritz to the coaching staff for 2017-18.

"We are thrilled to have Kelby join our staff," said Ressel. "She brings a tremendous amount of energy and passion to the position. Kelby will have a good knowledge base as to what it takes to compete and win in the MIAA. Everyone that I visited with said she has a tremendous work ethic. This will be important because Kelby will be an assistant coach with our Varsity team and will be the Head JV Coach."

Fritz comes to Southern after a year as the assistant coach for the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Lady Norse Basketball Team. Prior to NEO, she spent two seasons as the graduate assistant coach for Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. During her tenure, the team earned two trips to the NAIA National Tournament and finished in the final four during her first year.

"I am extremely honored and thankful for this opportunity to be a part of a program that I know personally is so great with an immense amount of tradition," said Fritz.

Fritz helped Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) to a National Junior College (NJCAA) Division 1 Region 2 and District B title this past season. The 29-3 Lady Norse entered the national tournament as the 11 seed and defeated 22nd seeded Iowa Western 73-47 in the opening round at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas. NEO fell in the second round to sixth seeded and national runner up Trinity Valley, 67-53. The Lady Norse finished 16th in the nation in points per game (80.1), 14th in field goals made per game (29.6), and seventh in three point field goals per contest (8.7). While at NEO, Fritz was responsible for game preparation, scouting, game day duties, recruiting, strength and conditioning, and all aspects of team travel for the Lady Norse.

Fritz began her playing career at Missouri Southern State University (09'-12') where she averaged 10 points per game. She continued her collegiate carrier in 2012 at Rogers State University. As a starter for the Hillcats, she shot 42% from behind the arch and 85% from the charity stripe. Fritz was also 41% from the field. The Hillcats attended the NAIA D1 National tournament the 2012-2013 season and made it to the second round.
Fritz earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management with an emphasis in psychology in May 2013 from Rogers State University. She continued her education and received her Master's of Arts in Teachers Education at Hastings College in May 2016, where she was the Graduate Assistant Coach.

Fritz is originally from Vinita, Oklahoma where she earned 2009 All-State honors and also helped lead the team to their first and only State Championship for girls' basketball. She also played softball, ran track, and cross country.