UC Clermont Volleyball Team Shoots for Repeating Success in 08

The UC Clermont Women’s Volleyball Team opened its 2008 season on August 25 - winning all three matches against Southern State Community College, 25-11, 25-14, 25-15.

The Cougars have won four consecutive Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) titles and look to continue this run.  They have also made two consecutive trips to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship tournament and hope to achieve further success in the postseason.

The team has worked hard to prepare for the 2008 campaign. The amount of success the Cougars will enjoy this year depends on several factors. “Our returning players are stronger after a year of experience and work in the weight room,” said UC Clermont College Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “Our keys for this year are getting used to our home court since we haven’t been able to practice much there (due to renovations) and blending our newcomers into a cohesive unit.  I look to our returnees to provide leadership and help make the adjustment a smooth one.”

The Cougars face a challenging schedule in 2008.  Their conference schedule should be tough as teams in the ORCC are expected to be improved in 2008.  UC Clermont College will also face two NCAA Division II opponents--Kentucky State University and Central State University.  The Cougars will also be hosting the annual Cougar Classic event and will travel to participate in the Penn State--New Kensington Invitational (Pittsburgh, PA) and the Scarlet Wave Invitational (Marion, OH).

Former Cougar (and UC Clermont Athletic Hall of Fame inductee) Whitney Brown joins the coaching staff this year as a full time assistant.  During her playing career, Brown garnered two USCAA All-American and three first team All-Conference awards--including the conference Most Valuable Player in 2005.

The Cougars return four players from the team which finished last year ranked seventh in the nation.  These returnees include one USCAA Honorable Mention All-American, the 2007 ORCC Most Valuable Player and three first team All-Conference honorees.  Junior middle hitter Kelley Koons (Miamisburg High School) is back to lead the squad.  She is joined by sophomore outside hitters Jaimie Martin (Turpin) and Jaci Stewart (Blanchester) and sophomore middle hitter Lynn Abbinante (Western Brown).  These individuals will combine to reprise a powerful and intimidating 2007 offensive attack.

UC Clermont welcomes five freshmen and a transfer student to the squad for this season.  Sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter Erica Hoctor (Turpin) played for Indiana Tech her freshmen year before returning to Cincinnati.  Setter Lauren Bradford (Norwood), an Honorable Mention All-City award winner, takes over the offensive helm upon the graduation of setter Julia Schulte.  Outside hitter/defensive specialist Katie Patrick (Western Brown) also earned Honorable Mention All-City honors and brings her speed and hustle to the court.  Tennessee native, All-District selection and outside hitter Sarah Shumate (Lawrence County) adds height at the net with her 5’11’ frame.  Defensive Specialist Cindy Votel (Bellevue) represents the first Kentucky recruit for the volleyball team and earned two defensive player awards with her high school varsity.  Outside hitter Shawnessy Chiodi (Shroder) brings tremendous speed and extensive club volleyball experience to the Cougars.

The Cougars will be a fun team to watch in 2008.  A spring tournament victory over local volleyball power Thomas More College--a team expected to qualify for the NCAA D-III national championships, has helped the volleyball program come of age.  UC Clermont is now a destination for some of the top high school volleyball players in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.  The schedule, as well as roster, team news and other information, is available on the school website:

www.ucclermont.edu

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