Women's Volleyball News & Awards

Cougars Pull Out Pair of Wins Against Tough Conference Foes

 

September 27, 2008  Hamilton, Ohio   The UC Clermont Cougars recorded a couple of close victories this week to take the early lead in the ORCC championship race.

In a mid-week contest, The Cougars visited a much-improved Miami University-Middletown squad.  The Thunderhawks are a strong team under newly re-hired Head Coach Jon Bennett.  “Miami-Middletown was one of the top teams in the ORCC during Coach Bennett’s first tour as head coach and they are well on their way to returning to that level,” said Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.

The Thunderhawks jumped to an early lead and held on to win game one 25-23.  UC Clermont recovered, but had their hands full the remainder of the match as they took the next three games 25-23, 25-22, 25-23.  The combination of Kelley Koons, Lynn Abbinante, Jaci Stewart, Jaimie Martin and Sarah Shumate collectively recorded 55 of the Cougars’ 60 total kills.  Setter Lauren Bradford registered a season-high 44 assists and added 17 digs.  Erica Hoctor, Katie Patrick and Cindy Votel all reached double digits in digs during the tightly-contested match.

On Saturday, the Cougars traveled to Miami University-Hamilton to face the undefeated Harriers.  “Miami-Hamilton has one of the most talented groups of players I have seen from their program,” said Clermont Coach Joe Harpring.

Clermont controlled the net in game one, recording a 25-15 win.  The Harriers stepped up their play in games two & three, but Clermont was able to pull out 27-25, 25-23 victories to sweep the match.  In a memorable moment, freshman Shawnessey Chiodi recorded her first collegiate kill.  Blocking was also a key as the Cougars registered three solo blocks and 16 block assists.

Even though UC Clermont has an early lead, the regular season conference race is far from decided.  There are several solid teams in the running.  The title chase will likely go until the last weekend of the season.

UC Clermont next hosts conference foe Ohio University-Chillicothe on Friday, October 3.  Game time is 6:00 P.M.  Clermont will be hosting a free tailgate party before the match.  Bring your family and friends to watch the Cougars face another tough conference opponent.

 

 

UC Clermont Number One in USCAA – Lauren Bradford Named Setter of the Week

 

September 23, 2008 – Batavia, OH   The UC Clermont volleyball program was honored in two national press releases today.

The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) released the results of their first 2008 coaches’ poll today.  UC Clermont was voted tops in the nation.  The Cougars earned the honor after defeating No. 2 ranked Ohio State University-Marion in last weekend’s Cougar Classic.  This historic accomplishment is a first for the volleyball program in their four years of membership in the USCAA.  The team has qualified for the USCAA national championship tournament the previous two years, but has never been ranked No. 1.

The Cougars also received an individual honor today.  Lauren Bradford, a freshman from Norwood High School, was named the USCAA National Setter of the Week for the period September 15-21.  Bradford tallied 92 assists, eight kills, eight blocks and 20 digs in three matches – including the win over Ohio State University-Marion.  She joins junior Kelley Koons in receiving player of the week awards this season.

 

 

UC Clermont Starts Conference Play with Win – Splits Cougar Classic Matches 

September 22, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio   The UC Clermont Cougars completed a busy week of volleyball competition with a successful 2-1 record against three high level opponents.

After a postponed home opener on Monday due to the city-wide power outage, UC Clermont started their week on the road Wednesday with a 20-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-13 victory over a strong Ohio University-Chillicothe team.  Chillicothe is a vastly improved squad and will definitely be a factor in the Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) race.  The win begins Clermont’s chase for the conference title and establishes their ORCC record at 1-0.

UC Clermont next hosted their annual Cougar Classic tri-match on Sunday, September 21.  The Cougars faced Indiana University-East from the NAIA and Ohio State University-Marion – the number three ranked team in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

In the first match, Clermont gave the Red Wolves from IU-East all they could handle before succumbing 25-23, 24-26, 25-17, 18-25, 11-15.  The defeat evened the Cougars’ record at 2-2 against programs which offer athletic scholarships - with both losses lasting the maximum five games.

In the finale, UC Clermont faced OSU-Marion for the third time this season.  The Scarlet Wave are currently ranked number three in the USCAA power ratings (just behind UC Clermont) and battled the Cougars in their first two match-ups in Pittsburgh.  Clermont won game one 25-17, then had to come from behind late in game two before prevailing 25-23.  The Cougars finished the three game sweep with a 25-16 result.

UC Clermont’s defense was a key to this week’s success.  As a team, the Cougars averaged 6.3 blocks and 12.9 digs per game.  Serving was also a factor as Clermont averaged 2.5 aces per game.

Clermont next hits the road for a pair of tough conference matches against Miami University-Middletown and Miami University-Hamilton.  Both programs are improved and have started their respective seasons well.  These results will show where UC Clermont stands in the early season chase for the conference crown.

 

 

Cougars Split Pair of Matches Against NCAA Division II Foes 

September 10, 2008 – Frankfort, KY    The UC Clermont volleyball team finished a run of two matches against NCAA Division II opponents with a heartbreaking five game loss to Kentucky State University.  The Cougars led 14-11 in the fifth and deciding game, but could not get the clinching 15^th point to close out the contest.

UC Clermont started this week of high level competition with an exciting 25-18, 25-15, 25-11 win over Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.  The Cougars used strong serving and a quick transition game to take control of play against a scrappy Central State team.   Outside hitter Jaci Stewart led the squad with five aces.  Outside hitter Jaimie Martin added two aces to her seven kills.  Libero Erica Hoctor anchored the defense with four digs.  Freshmen Katie Patrick, Shawnessey Chiodi and Sarah Shumate also contributed strong individual efforts to a balanced offensive and defensive performance for Clermont.

Since NCAA Division II schools give athletic scholarships, the win was worth enhanced power rating points in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national rankings.  As a result of this win, coupled with victories over USCAA opponents in their prior four matches, UC Clermont was ranked number one in the nation in the first week’s USCAA power ratings.

UC Clermont started the Kentucky State match slowly.  The Thoroughbreds won the first game 25-15.  The Cougars rebounded against a tough Kentucky State defense and hostile crowd by capturing the next two games 25-19 and 25-21, before suffering a bit of a hiccup in game four (10-25).  Game five went back and forth as each team scored consecutive points to alternately take control of the contest.

Middle Hitter Kelley Koons registered 21 kills as she hit a sizzling .425 for the contest.  Clermont’s other middle hitter, Lynn Abbinante, contributed 11 kills and 11 blocks as she also hit at a strong .333 pace.  Setter Lauren Bradford collected a season-high 39 assists in the match.  Defensive specialist Cindy Votel led a group of Cougars with three digs.

After a three week road trip, Clermont returns to their own gym for their home opener against Cincinnati Christian University on Monday, September 15.  CCU recently joined the NAIA and has revitalized their volleyball program by starting their season with a 2-1 record.  Game time is 6:00 P.M. at the “Cougardome”.

 

Koons Named USCAA National Volleyball Player of the Week

September 2, 2008 – Batavia, OH   U.C. Clermont middle hitter Kelley Koons, a junior from Miamisburg High School, was named the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Player of the Week for the period August 25-31.

Koons helped the Cougars defeat four USCAA opponents during the week.  She contributed 34 kills, 17 service aces, 14 digs and 16 blocks as the Cougars started the season 4-0 and captured the championship of the Penn State – New Kensington Invitational tournament.

This award marks the third consecutive season during which Koons has received this National Player of the Week honor.

 

UC Clermont Wins Penn State – New Kensington Invitational Tournament

 

August 30, 2008 – Pittsburgh, PA   The UC Clermont womens’ volleyball team traveled to Pittsburgh to face three USCAA member schools in the Penn State – New Kensington Invitational.  With a victory over Ohio State University-Marion in the championship match, the Cougars captured the tournament title and trophy.

The Cougars began play in this double elimination event with a three game sweep of host Penn State – New Kensington.  The scores were 25-12, 25-11, 25-10.  Junior middle hitter Kelley Koons led the way with a stellar 11 service aces, 6 kills and 4 blocks.  Sophomore middle hitter Lynn Abbinante added 7 kills. With this victory, the Cougars advanced to the winner’s bracket.

In their next match, Clermont faced a familiar foe in Ohio State – Marion.  The Scarlet Wave took the first game 25-18 before the Cougars rebounded in the next three games, winning 25-23, 25-14, 25-23.  The match featured stellar defense from both teams.  Sophomore Erica Hoctor and Kelley Koons led the defense with 7 digs each.  Freshman setter Lauren Bradford registered a tournament high 31 assists. As a result of this win, the Cougars clinched a spot in the championship match the next day.

Ohio State – Marion joined UC Clermont in the finals after advancing from the consolation bracket with a tough five game win over Penn State - Beaver. The Scarlet Wave once again got out to a good start in the finals.  Marion took the first game 25-20 before the Cougars rebounded with a convincing 25-14, 25-16, 25-15 sweep.  Sophomore outside hitter Jaimie Martin led the offense with 9 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Jaci Stewart contributed 5 blocks.  The team, including freshmen Katie Patrick, Cindy Votel and Sarah Shumate, combined for 20 digs in the finals.

UC Clermont next faces the first of two NCAA D-II foes – Central State University.  Game time is 7:00 for this Wednesday contest in Wilberforce, Ohio.

News & Awards Archive

• UC Clermont Volleyball Team Gains NAIA Transfer
• Former UC Clermont Volleyball Standout Joins Coaching Staff
• U.C. Clermont Volleyball Adds Tennessee Native
• U.C. Clermont Volleyball Signs Norwood Three Sport Star
• U.C. Clermont Volleyball Players Receive Awards at Honors Convocation
• Milford Grad to Join UC Clermont Volleyball Team
• UC Clermont Volleyball Spring Season Re-cap
• UC Clermont Volleyball Signs Western Brown Standout
• Norwood All-City Middle Joins UC Clermont Volleyball Team
• Whitney Brown Hall of Fame Induction