Volleyball News & Awards Archives

Former UC Clermont Volleyball Standout Joins Coaching Staff August 8, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio    Former player Whitney Brown has joined the UC Clermont volleyball staff as an interim Assistant Coach.  Brown replaces former Assistant Coach Sonja Crockett. Coach Brown joined the Clermont volleyball program in 2004.  During her three year career, she was twice named a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-American.  Brown also was voted first team Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) three times while earning the ORCC Most Valuable Player award in 2005.  In 2008, Brown became the latest inductee into the U.C. Clermont Athletic Hall of Fame. Before coming to U.C. Clermont, Brown enjoyed a stellar prep career at Williamsburg High School.  She was voted First Team All-Conference (Southern Buckeye Conference) three times and selected as the conference Most Valuable Player twice.  Coach Brown also twice received First Team All-City honors, won various scholar/athlete awards and was a member of the National Honor Society. “I am pleased and excited to add Whitney to my staff,” said Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “She has some experience working with club volleyball teams and received positive feedback from players and parents.  She uses an upbeat approach to teaching and knows how to motivate young people.” Coach Brown will be helping the latest group of Clermont volleyball players continue a streak started in her freshman year.  The Cougars have won four consecutive ORCC titles and look to compete for their fifth.  Brown’s experience will be valuable to the incoming freshman class as they adjust to the rigors of collegiate volleyball life.

U.C. Clermont Volleyball Adds Tennessee Native July 18, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio   The U.C. Clermont volleyball team has added another transfer student/athlete for 2008.  Joining the Cougars will be Sarah Shumate. Sarah Shumate comes to U.C. Clermont indirectly from Lawrence County High School in Tennessee (a first for the volleyball program).  She is a 5’11” outside/middle hitter. Shumate played three years for the Lawrence County High School varsity.  During her prep career, she earned one All-District award and served as her team’s captain two years. Shumate is transferring from the University of Cincinnati’s Clifton campus – where she made the Dean’s List in the spring quarter.  She is studying Pre-Chiropractic and is the daughter of Mark Shumate & Kim Mesler. U.C. Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring is excited to add this individual for 2008.  “Sarah brings a unique skill set to the team which will enhance our overall program,” said Harpring.  “The enthusiasm she displays for the game is contagious.  She is always positive and upbeat on the court.  Her height and power will definitely help us as we face the many competitive opponents on our schedule.” The Cougars open their regular season on Monday, August 25 at Southern State Community College.  Game time is 6:00 P.M.  Clermont will host the University of Cincinnati women’s club team in an exhibition match on Thursday, August 21.  Game time is 7:00 P.M.

U.C. Clermont Volleyball Signs Norwood Three Sport Star May 23, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio  The U.C. Clermont volleyball team has signed Norwood High School’s Lauren Bradford to a letter of intent for the 2008 season.  Bradford was the starting setter for Head Coach Bob Murphy’s Indians varsity squad. During her senior season, Bradford earned Cincinnati Enquirer Honorable Mention All-City honors among various other conference and team awards.  She also possesses valuable experience with USA Volleyball clubs – including Air Attack VBC in Cincinnati. Bradford was a multi-sport star at Norwood.  In addition to her accomplishments on the volleyball court, she also excelled with the Indians’ basketball and softball teams. Bradford will be expected to help fill the huge hole left by the graduation of Clermont’s First Team All-Conference setter Julia Schulte.  “Julia did a tremendous job running our offense, “said U.C. Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring, “and I see similar qualities in Lauren.  Lauren is very comfortable playing in advanced systems and proved so with her high school team.  She is also very athletic and has great ball control.” While attending U.C. Clermont, Bradford plans to major in Biology. The Cougars will open their 2008 season in late August at USCAA rival Southern State Community College.  Their home opener will be Monday, September 15 against new NAIA member Cincinnati Christian University.

U.C. Clermont Volleyball Players Receive Awards at Honors Convocation Lynn Abbinante Jaimie Martin   May 15, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio  Two members of the U.C. Clermont volleyball team received academic awards at the recent Honors Convocation ceremony held at the Student Activities Center. Lynn Abbinante, a freshman middle hitter (Western Brown High School), was named the 2007/2008 U.C. Clermont Female Student/Athlete of the Year. Abbinnate carried the highest “in-season” grade point average of any Clermont female student/athlete. She also received First Team All-Conference honors for her performance on the volleyball court. Abbinante is the third volleyball player to receive this award in the last five years, following in the footsteps of Clermont Hall-of-Fame inductees Meagan Ooten and Whitney Brown. Freshman outside hitter Jaimie Martin (Turpin High School) joined Abbinante as both received Academic All-Conference awards from the Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) and U.C. Clermont. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during their season to earn this honor. Martin was previously named the ORCC Most Valuable Player for the 2007 season. Both players will be returning to the Cougars’ squad for the upcoming 2008 campaign.

Milford Grad to Join U.C. Clermont Volleyball Team April 19, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio  Stacy Popp, a 6’0” middle/outside hitter from Milford High School, will be joining the UC Clermont volleyball team for the 2008 campaign.  Popp is currently a UC Clermont student and will be resuming her playing career after recovery from knee surgery.  The upcoming season will be her first as a collegian. Popp will add further height to what will be a tall Cougar squad.  She earned first team All-City and first team Greater Miami Conference honors during her high school career.  Popp has also played club volleyball for several high level organizations, including Eastern Hills VBC, Tri-County VBC and Cincy Classics VBC.  In addition, she has coached Under -11 age group teams for the Cincy Classics club.  Popp has good power and can pass quite well – a bonus for a player of her height.  “Stacy possesses experience competing at a very high level and also shows maturity in her play,” said Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “These qualities will help us as we face the many tough teams on our schedule.  She was very impressive during spring practice and is an exciting addition to the program.” Popp has been quite successful in the classroom in addition to her accomplishments on the volleyball court.  She is majoring in Early Childhood Education and has regularly appeared on the UC Clermont Dean’s List.  She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa.  Stacy Popp is the daughter of Suzanne and Steven Popp of Milford.

UC Clermont Volleyball Spring Season Re-cap April 10, 2008 - Batavia, Ohio    The UC Clermont volleyball team wrapped up their 2008 spring season on Saturday, April 5 by participating in the College of Mount Saint Joseph Invitational tournament.  The Cougars played three matches in a four-team round robin format.  All opponents were Division III members of the NCAA. In the first match, UC Clermont defeated Thomas More College in a thriller – 19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-11.  Even though it was not an “official” match, the win was the Clermont volleyball program’s first-ever over an NCAA school. UC Clermont lost the remaining two matches.  The College of Mount Saint Joseph defeated the Cougars 25-20, 25-14, 25-17 in match two.  In the finale, Clermont lost a heartbreaker to Transylvania University.  The Cougars won the first two games 25-23, 25-19, before dropping the final three 15-25, 22-25, 9-15. The spring tournament provided some valuable experience for the returning players against some well-regarded NCAA programs.  This experience should help the Cougars in the upcoming 2008 campaign as they seek their fifth consecutive conference title and third consecutive trip to the USCAA National Championship.  These results also demonstrate the progress the team has made in the last few years as the Cougars take their place among the strong small college volleyball programs in the area.

U.C. Clermont Volleyball Signs Western Brown Standout March 24, 2008 – Batavia, Ohio - Katie Patrick, a 5’7” outside hitter/defensive specialist from Western Brown High School, has agreed to join the U.C. Clermont volleyball team for the 2008 campaign.  Patrick becomes the sixth Bronco volleyball alumnus to wear the Clermont red and black. Patrick was a featured hitter during her senior year as a member of Head Coach Heather Cooper’s Western Brown varsity.  She blossomed as a player that year as she finished in the top ten statistically in the Greater Cincinnati area for total kills.  Patrick also boasted a .860 serve percentage with 59 aces in her final season.  These numbers helped earn an Honorable Mention All-City award from the Cincinnati Enquirer as well as other post-season honors. “Katie was a late developer as a player,” notes U.C. Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “As a result, she went unnoticed by most colleges.  She is a real steal for us.  Her intensity in the back row caught my attention.  She possesses an incredible desire to get every ball before it hits the floor – the hallmark of a great defender.  Katie is also very quick and an effective hitter.” In addition to her playing career at Western Brown High School, Patrick also gained a valuable Junior Olympic volleyball experience with the Greater Miami Volleyball Club in Milford, Ohio. Patrick is the third member of an outstanding 2008 U.C. Clermont volleyball recruit class scheduled to join the team this summer.

UC Clermont Volleyball Team Gains NAIA Transfer February 6, 2008, Batavia, Ohio - The UC Clermont volleyball team has gained the services of a college volleyball transfer for the 2008 season.  Erica Hoctor, a 5’7” defense specialist, has enrolled at UC Clermont for the 2007/2008 academic year and will be added to th team for the upcoming campaign.  Hoctor joins the Cougars after a season at NAIA school Indiana Tech in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. A native of Cincinnati, Hoctor “prepped” at Turpin High School.  She was a member of Coach Brandi Sledge’s Spartan varsity during all four years of her career.  In 2006, Hoctor ranked second among Cincinnati high school volleyball players in digs.  She was also a four year member of the school’s Honor Role for her work in the classroom. Hoctor possesses a wealth of club volleyball experience – mostly with the Southwest Ohio Thunderbirds organization. During her freshman year at Indiana Tech, Hoctor was named “Best Defensive/Academic Player of the Year”.  She also made the Dean’s List in her first semester. UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring is excited to gain a player of Hoctor’s ability.  “Erica came to watch us play during the USCAA National Championship Tournament in Ft. Wayne”, said Harpring.  “She felt our school and program would be a good fit for her.  Erica has exceptional versatility because she is able to play defensive specialist, setter and outside hitter, if necessary.  Her greatest assets are her speed in the back row and her intensity.  I look forward adding those skills to our team.”

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