Women's Volleyball News & Awards

UC Clermont Cougars Hit the Court in August to Start 2010 Season
Cougars Look to Defend OCAC Title 

BATAVIA, OH (August 9, 2010) –– Fresh from a history-making appearance in the Final Four of the 2009 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship tournament, the UC Clermont volleyball team has begun preparations for the 2010 campaign.  The team starts play with an August 24 Ohio Collegiate Athletic Conference (OCAC) match at Southern State Community College. 

The Cougars look to defend the first-ever awarded regular season OCAC title they captured in 2009. The Cougars joined the OCAC last season on a provisional basis while maintaining their long-standing membership in the Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC).  After winning the title in both conferences and figuratively “retiring the trophy” with six consecutive ORCC championships, UC Clermont has moved exclusively to the OCAC – a conference of schools mostly aligned nationally with the USCAA. 

The 2010 version of the Cougars will look a little different with the addition of five newcomers to a core of returning players.  “As with any new group, the style of play and strengths of a team depend on the abilities each individual brings to that team,” said UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “I expect this team to be defensive oriented, with plenty of height at the net and quickness in the back row.  These characteristics should help us win our share of long rallies with the strong opponents on our schedule.” 

Recent graduate and new UC Clermont Hall of Famer Kelley Koons moves from the court to the bench this season as she joins former Cougar great Meagan Ooten on the coaching staff. 

Leading the Cougars in 2010 is a trio of talented juniors:  5’8” setter/outside hitter Lauren Bradford (Norwood H.S.), 5’4” defensive specialist Cindy Votel (Bellevue, KY) and 5’11” outside hitter Sarah Shumate (Lawrence County, TN).  They are joined by a group of sophomores who blossomed during their first year of collegiate volleyball: 5’11” middle hitter Rachel Hays (Amelia), 5’8” setter Courtney Davis (Western Brown) and 5’7” outside hitter Rachel Ferguson (Norwood).  Three of these returnees earned All-Conference honors in 2009 (Bradford, Votel and Hays), with Bradford also achieving USCAA Honorable Mention All-American status. 

An impressive group of recruits joins the team this season.  These newcomers include 5’8” setter/outside hitter Courtney Abbott (Little Miami), 5’3” setter/defensive specialist Becca Walton (Mother of Mercy), 5’9” outside hitter Andie Pepper (Western Brown and Ohio University transfer) and 6’1” middle hitter Emily Rogers-Fightmaster (Seven Hills).  6’1” middle/outside hitter Rachel Mullins (Eastern Brown) will join the team during the season if cleared to play after knee surgery.  “Our ability to attract such a strong group of freshmen is a tribute to the outstanding achievements of the 2009 squad and the exhaustive recruiting work of our assistant coaches,” said Harpring. 

In addition to a full OCAC schedule, UC Clermont will face teams from the USCAA and NCAA, as well as a few old rivals from the ORCC.  The Cougars will travel to Pittsburgh in August for the Penn State University-Beaver Invitational tournament.  Clermont will also host two tri-match events (the UCC Volleyfest and the Cougar Classic) as well as the annual Tailgate Party game and grill-out.  “Our success this season will depend on two factors – how quickly our new players mesh with our veterans and how well we defend the various types of offense we will face,” said Harpring.

 

 

UC Clermont Adds Middle Hitter to Squad

 

June 2, 2010 – Cincinnati, Ohio    The UC Clermont volleyball team received another commitment from an outstanding high school senior.  Emily Rogers-Fightmaster, a 6’1” middle hitter from Seven Hills Upper School, will be joining the Cougars for the 2010 season.

Rogers-Fightmaster was a featured player for Head Coach Linda Clark’s Stinger varsity.  The Stingers won two consecutive Miami Valley Conference (MVC) titles while Rogers-Fightmaster patrolled the middle.   For her efforts, she was named Second Team All-Conference in the MVC her senior year.

Although she is somewhat new to volleyball, Rogers-Fightmaster made quite an impact during her three year high school career.  She led all Cincinnati area Division IV players in blocks per game her senior season and earned the Seven Hills Coach’s Award for this and other accomplishments.  Rogers-Fightmaster also has club volleyball experience with the Cincy East Volleyball Club under Director and U-18s Head Coach Paul Fultz.

Rogers-Fightmaster has also been quite successful in the classroom – achieving honor roll status at Seven Hills multiple times.  She also earned an All-Academic award as part of the Stingers’ basketball team and was voted student speaker at her senior graduation ceremony.

“The addition of Emily to our team is a huge plus”, said UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “She gives us the height we need to compete at the highest level and is already quite a polished and intimidating blocker.  I expect her to enhance our net defense with this blocking ability and add another weapon to our offense.  Emily is also a great competitor and has a positive attitude towards her coaches and teammates.  I’m excited to get her on board.”

 

  

 

Koons Added to Coaching Staff and Inducted into Hall of Fame

 

 

May 27, 2010 – Batavia, Ohio  It was quite a week for former UC Clermont player Kelley Koons.  On Monday, she was named the new Assistant Coach for the volleyball team.  She was then inducted into the UC Clermont Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday in recognition of her stellar career with the Cougars.  

Koons was selected for the coaching position from an outstanding group of candidates.  “I was very impressed with the applicants we had,” said Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “They possessed quite a list of credentials.  It is due to the many accomplishments of our players and the resulting recognition the volleyball program has received.  I am very excited to add Kelley to the staff.  Her energy and knowledge of the game will be a big plus for our program.” 

Koons’ selection to the Hall of Fame was an obvious choice.  She is one of the most decorated volleyball players in the history of the program.  Among other honors, Koons received three USCAA All-American selections (including First Team in 2009) and was named the Most Valuable Player four times while competing in two different conferences.  A replica of her jersey hangs from the rafters of the Student Activity Center (aka Cougardome). 

The addition of Koons brings the number of former Clermont volleyball players inducted into the Hall of Fame to three.  Meagan Ooten and Whitney Moore (Brown) have previously been enshrined.

UC Clermont Volleyball Gains Transfer

April 17, 2010 – Batavia, Ohio   The UC Clermont volleyball team has gained an important transfer for the 2010 campaign.  Andrea Pepper, a 5’9” middle/outside hitter, has enrolled in school after transferring from Ohio University.

Pepper is originally from the Mt. Orab, Ohio area.  She attended Western Brown High School and played for Coach Heather Cooper’s Bronco varsity.  During her senior year, Pepper was one of the Broncos’ “go to” hitters as the team captured the Southern Buckeye Conference (SBC) title.  She was also selected Honorable Mention All-City for her contributions that year.

While at Western Brown, Pepper was a teammate of current UC Clermont player Courtney Davis.  Pepper is the seventh Western Brown graduate to play for the Cougars since 2003.

UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring originally recruited Pepper for the 2009 season.  “It took a year longer than we had hoped, but we are excited to finally get Andie in a Cougar uniform,” said Harpring.  “She was a steady and dependable hitter in high school and she has gained some power since then.  Andie has looked good in spring practice and has put in extra time getting ready for the coming season.  Her attitude and work ethic are outstanding.”

February 27, 2010 – Cincinnati, Ohio  The UC Clermont volleyball team has received a second commitment for the 2010 season.  Becca Walton, a 5’3” setter/defensive specialist from Mother of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, will be joining the Cougars for the upcoming campaign.

Walton played two years for her Mercy High School team in the Girls’ Greater Catholic League (GGCL) – one of the highest rated conferences in the state of Ohio.  She is also a veteran of the Junior Olympic club volleyball circuit – starring the past three years on teams for Lineshot Volleyball Club in the Tri-County area of Cincinnati.  Her club team in 2009 was highly ranked in the Ohio Valley Region of USA Volleyball.  Walton gives much credit to the coaching staff at Lineshot for her development in the sport.

Walton is a natural leader and communicator on the court.  She has expertly led a potent Lineshot offense as a setter in a 5-1 system and showed the ability to grasp complex tactical concepts.  Walton is also a tenacious back row defender.  “I can foresee Becca helping our team in a variety of ways,” said UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “She is versatile – being able to work as a setter and a defensive specialist.  Her speed and understanding of the game will also be welcome additions to our program.  I’m thrilled to have her join us at UC Clermont.”

While at UC Clermont, Walton will be pursuing a degree in the Physical Therapy Assistant area.  She is the daughter of Cheryl and Steve Walton.

February  19, 2010 – Morrow, Ohio    Fresh off their appearance in the Final Four of the 2009 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship Tournament, the UC Clermont volleyball team has received their first commitment for 2010.  Courtney Abbott, a 5’8” setter/outside hitter from Little Miami High School, will be joining the team for the upcoming season.

Abbott has been a four year starter for Coach Mason Boulton’s Panther varsity.  At times, she has filled setter, outside hitter and defensive specialist roles for her high school.  During her prep career, she recorded 249 service aces, 642 kills, 1,358 assists and 354 digs.  She was also named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and the Player of the Year in 2009.

Abbott has also received many honors outside of her team.  She was named First Team Fort Ancient Valley Conference (FAVC) in both 2008 & 2009 and was runner-up for conference Player of the Year in 2008.  She ranked in the top five in several conference statistical categories during her junior and senior seasons.  In addition, Abbott was selected to play in the Southwest Ohio Volleyball Coaches’ Association District 15 All-Star game in 2009.

To supplement her high school experience, Abbott has played six seasons of Junior Olympic club volleyball – recently with a National level team for the Sports Express Volleyball Club.

“This signing marks an outstanding start for our recruit class of 2010”, said Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “Courtney has the type of skill set we need to progress toward a national title in the USCAA.  She can help us in many ways and is very calm under pressure – whether hitting, setting, serving or passing.  I look for big contributions from Courtney during her career at UC Clermont.”