UC Clermont Cougars Volleyball Team Makes Thrilling Run at Nationals

The 2014 UC Clermont volleyball team recorded some of their best-ever results at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournament. This trip to Canton, New York, marked the ninth consecutive time the Cougar program received an at-large bid to this prestigious event.

The event kicked off with the pre-tournament banquet and announcement of All-American awards. A number of Clermont players took home honors. Junior setter Alex Robb (Amelia H.S.) and sophomore middle hitter Amber Lawrence (Felicity) were named Second Team USCAA All-Americans for their outstanding play during the regular season. Lawrence, along with sophomore libero Taylor Herrmann (Glen Este) and sophomore defensive specialist Samantha Gilbert (Franklin County, Indiana) received USCAA Academic All-American honors – given to players who maintain a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

Clermont began preliminary pool play Thursday afternoon. All contests in pool play consisted of best two out of three sets. The Cougars entered competition as the number six seed and enjoyed an exciting first day.

First up was tenth seeded Concordia College – Alabama. The competition was close and exciting as Clermont was able to squeeze by in straight sets 25-22, 25-17. Clermont’s players also became good friends with the Concordia athletes after the contest – one of the great aspects of this event.

Day one ended on a high note for Clermont. Number two ranked Rochester College provided the opposition. Both teams played the game at a very high level, but Clermont was just a little better. The Cougars were able to record one of the more notable victories in program history against the eventual national runners-up as they swept Rochester 25-19, 25-23.

After such an exciting victory, an emotional letdown was inevitable. Unfortunately, a strong SUNY-Canton squad awaited Clermont for the start of play on day two.

Fourth seeded Canton controlled the entire match and took down Clermont in straight sets.
Penn State-Fayette – the only other Division II team in the Division I tournament – provided the final opposition in pool play. These two programs have a history of great contests. This time, Fayette came out ahead in a tight three set affair 25-22, 22-25, 15-9.

A 2-2 record in pool play left Clermont in a three way tie for second place in their pool, but the tie-breaker went Clermont’s way because of the favorable result over Rochester and the tight contest with Fayette. The Cougars advanced to the Elite Eight knockout round and have not failed to do so over their nine year run.

The number three team in the USCAA, Alfred State, awaited Clermont in the quarterfinal. These teams were evenly matched and provided an entertaining contest. Momentum swung back and forth as the teams split the first two sets - Alfred winning set one 25-21 and Clermont capturing the second 25-19. The third set was pivotal and fittingly went extra points. The Pioneers “eeked” out a 26-24 victory. With that momentum, Alfred State was able to also take set four and the match 25-20.

“These kids should be incredibly proud of what they accomplished this week,” said UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring. “They went head to head with the best teams in the USCAA and came out with some strong results. This group of players can certainly claim their spot as one of the best teams in the history of our volleyball program.”

Clermont finished the 2014 campaign with a 17-8 record.

For more information about the Volleyball Program, visit: http://www.ucclermont.edu/athletics/WomensVolleyball.html