Lady Cougars Play on Campus for First Time

The Lady Cougars will play in their new home – the Student Activities Center or “Cougardome” for the first time  – on September 7 against Cincinnati Christian University at 7 p.m.
 

The 2006 UC Clermont volleyball team returns to the court with a very competitive squad.  The Cougars have captured two consecutive Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) West Division titles and are strong contenders for the championship again this season.  The team also looks to earn a berth in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship tournament.

“We have set the national tournament as a goal this year,” said Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “Achieving this goal will be challenging.  We will need a nearly perfect record and we face a very difficult regular season schedule.”  Included among this year’s opponents is Wilmington College – marking the first time the volleyball team will face an NCAA Division III school.

Coach Harpring returns for his third year at the helm.  He is joined by third year Assistant Coach Sonja Crockett (a former player at Northern Kentucky University and former assistant at Midway College) as well as first year Graduate Assistant Meagan Ooten.  Ooten joins the staff after a successful playing career at Clermont, culminating in her induction into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Cougars are a deep and experienced team.  They are led by four returning juniors.  Outside Hitter Whitney Brown (Williamsburg High School) earned first team USCAA All-American honors and was the conference MVP in 2005.  Middle Hitter Jane McFadden (Turpin) and Defensive Specialist Amanda Sevier (Glen Este) also were named to the conference first team while Outside Hitter Carah Hodge (Glen Este) received ORCC academic honors.

Four returning sophomores will benefit from a year of college volleyball.  Outside Hitter Katie Brooks and Setter Anna Noeth come from a solid Western Brown High School program.  Outside Hitter Melissa Hays hails from a Lebanon High School team which qualified for a state tournament berth.  Libero Lauren Biel has experience with a strong Lakota West High School program.

Clermont also adds four talented freshmen this year.  Setter Julia Schulte (Anderson) has experience running advanced offenses.  Middle Hitter Kelley Koons (Miamisburg) brings a power hitting game to the court.  Tiffany Wise, a solid Outside Hitter prospect and hard working walk-on Defensive Specialist Tiffany Taulbee both hail from Felicity-Franklin High School.

U.C. Clermont begins the regular season at Southern State on Friday,
September 1.
 
For more information contact Mae Hanna, Director of College Relations UC Clermont College (513) 732-5332