Southern Local volleyball head coach Bob Shansky celebrates his 700th career victory with the Indians Thursday. (Special to the Journal/JT Higgins)

SALINEVILLE — Southern Local head coach Bob Shansky had to work overtime for his 700th career victory Thursday.

The Indians were led by seniors Haylee Kellogg, Allyssa Shroades and Brooke Boyle in a 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13 win over Clay-Battelle to finish third in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Class 2A.

Shansky is in his 50th year as a head coach — winning 514 games in 40 years at East Liverpool and 186 in the last 10 years at Southern.

“I never thought that would happen when I started out — all because I took a volleyball class at Penn State as a sophomore,” he said. “That’s how I got hired.”

Shansky was just finishing up his first year as a teacher at East Liverpool and the Potters were looking for a volleyball coach. He didn’t apply, but school administrators saw on his transcript he passed a volleyball class.

“I just got it,” he said. “I got an A in the class, but I never played competitively. I had to go out and buy books on it. One thing led to another and I fell in love with the sport.”

Shansky kept learning as the seasons went by.

“I stole stuff from coaches like Debbie Boyd, Judi Gregory and Dan McKinstry,” he said.

Leading the Indians were Haylee Kellogg with 13 points, two aces, 24 assists and five kills, Allyssa Shroads with eight points, 15 assists and 10 kills, and Brooke Boyle with six digs.

“Our kids had peaks and valleys,” Shansky said. “It was well played on both sides. We have two freshmen starters and a couple of sophomores. I told the seniors they would have to carry us in the fifth game.”

Also for the Indians, Addy Martin had 12 points and eight dig, Natalie Lopez 10 points, three aces, eight kills and six blocks, Katie Kellogg nine points and 22 kills, and Kalayah Crute nine kills and four blocks.

“There would be 1,000 people to thank, all those who played for me,” Shansky said. “My family has been supportive all these years.”

Southern finishes the regular season and will play Lake Center Christian in the Division II sectional Thursday at Campbell Memorial.

The Cee Bees won the junior varsity match, 12-25, 25-19, 25-22.

Mary Beadnell and Aubrie Gilliam each served 11 points for Southern (12-7). Chloe Ensinger had five points and three kills, while Peyton Davison and Emma Boyle each had four kills.