FIU Continues Remarkable Season with a Bid to the NCAA Tournament

For the first time since 2001, FIU will participate in the NCAA Championships in Gainesville, Fla. against Colorado State.The host site, the University of Florida, will determine the date and time. The first and second rounds are set for Dec. 4-7.

If FIU beats CSU, they play the winner of Florida and Florida A&M. Stanford is the top seed in the bracket and the No. 2 overall seed.

The Golden Panthers last made the NCAA Championships in 2001. That season FIU swept UCF before ending their season with a loss to Florida. It is head coach Danijela Tomic’s first NCAA Championships appearance.

Yarimar Rosa is being introduced to the Nation on the NCAA web-page on the eve of an Invitation for FIU.

In Spanish ‘Yarimar’ means treasure of the sea.

Considering how 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter Yarimar ‘Yari’ Rosa leads all Division I schools in kills (5.21 per set) for the Florida International University, ‘Yarimar’ probably means big kills.

“I think she is every coach’s dream,” said FIU coach Danijela Tomic. “She is very talented, but she is also one of the hardest workers in practice. She has a natural gift where she knows the game really well, but I think what distinguishes her from other players is the passion she has for the game. She is a very humble person who doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, but it’s hard for her not to be there consider what she has done for our program so far. She is just a joy to coach.”

Rosa is not only proving that you do not need to play at a big school to put up big numbers, but also how coaches can find talented players even when they are not actively looking for them.

“I was on a recruiting trip to see another kid in San Juan Puerto Rico at a high school game,” said Tomic. “She was one of the players playing and after asking about her, I was told that all of the big schools were recruiting her and that I had no chance. I talked to her mom after the game and left my contact information for them to stay in touch with me.

“All of the schools wanted to sign early and put some pressure on her to sign early, but she didn’t want to do it. In the spring of 2004 her mom emailed me and asked if I was still interested in her. Of course I was still interested in her so I replied by asking when she wanted to come on a visit. After coming here on her visit, she told us that she loved it here and felt most comfortable here. Also with Miami being so close to Puerto Rico, it was close to home for her. I told her that if she came to FIU, she would make a name for herself and our program instead of being a good player that went through a big program. That’s what she has done in three years.”

Since arriving at FIU in 2006, Rosa has been a treasure on the volleyball court for the Golden Panthers. From being the 2006 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the year, the 2006 AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year, a two-time AVCA All-American, All-Southeast Region and first-team All-Sun Belt Conference player, Rosa has made her kills look like exclamation marks during each season.

Yet as impressive as her resume is now, Rosa started playing volleyball in a more humble setting and with innocent intentions.

“The first time I played volleyball I was 6-years old and in the third grade,” said Rosa. “My sister used to play volleyball for the school so I would go to practices with her. One day I was just waiting for her and the coaches asked me if I wanted to play on the team.”

“I remember just trying to get the ball over the net. The first time you get it over you are so happy, but I also remember being happy about getting my serve over the net.”

From those first days of playing to being a member of the Puerto Rican National team for several years, Rosa has a lot of court time to her credit. However, even with someone so experienced as herself, there are some moments in a set that even Rosa would prefer not to relive.

“When I am in the court and going up against someone one-on-one, I really hope that they don’t hit the ball towards my face,” said Rosa. “You just pray that they don’t hit your face.”

While Rosa may pray for an attacking error when she is on defense and the rest of the Golden Panthers are hopeful in getting their first NCAA tournament bid since 2001, Tomic is asking the universe for another special player who can make big kills to come her way sooner than later.

“I am counting down the days and want to cry knowing that I only have one more year with her,” said Tomic. “You really can’t replace a player like her. Every player is special and I had someone tell me recently that Yari is like Haley’s Comet – something special that only comes once every 1,000 years. I don’t think we can replace her. We just hope another special player like her will come into our program.”

UM Shows Great Resilience as they Down a HOT Florida State Team

Four Hurricanes recorded double-digit kills, led by freshman Lane Carico (Pictured) with a match-high 16, to vault the University of Miami volleyball squad past rival Florida State University on Wednesday afternoon, 3-2, in a thrilling five-set affair (22-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-13, 15-11) in the regular season finale at Lucy McDaniel Court in Tallahassee, Fla.

Miami (26-6, 14-6 ACC) hit above .320 in an ACC match for the fourth time this season as the `Canes collected a .329 clip (72-17-167) for the match. Florida State countered with a .282 clip (65-17-170) of their own.

FSU (21-9, 13-7 ACC) won the first set behind a blistering .455 hitting percentage as the Seminoles registered 17 kills against just two errors. Behind Brianna Barry (11 kills / 3 blocks), FSU quickly leaped to a 10-5 advantage. Trailing 16-10, UM went on a 6-3 run to cut the lead at 19-16 behind three kills from Carico and another from sophomore Katie Gallagher. FSU held the `Canes off down the stretch with UM committing back-to-back errors for the 25-22 Seminoles victory.

UM bounced back in the second set with senior outside hitter Angelica Ellis securing five kills and middle blocker Ariell Cooke collecting four more to go along with three blocks (two assists). Miami used a 6-2 run sparked by two kills from Ellis to break a 14-14 tie, running to a 20-16 advantage. FSU's Barry and Nikki Baker tried to keep it close as they brought the `Noles to within 18-16 before three FSU errors down the stretch allowed the Hurricanes the 25-21 win, knotting the match at 1-1.

FSU took the third set (25-18) while UM countered in the fourth (25-13) to even the match once again, 2-2.

In the fourth set, the Orange and Green hitting a whopping .552 clip (17-1-29) fueled by Carico's five-kills, three-service ace performance, assisted by Ellis' four kills and two blocks. Also playing well in the fourth set for UM was defensive specialist Cassie Loessberg who served up two aces and brought in seven digs. Genny Mayhew and Ashley Woods each procured three kills in the set, respectively.

The deciding set was one that kept both Seminoles and Hurricanes alike on the edge of their seat throughout. After three ties, FSU jumped out to a 6-3 advantage when Lauren Young connected on consecutive kills, and teammate Richardson knocked in another to give the `Noles a seemingly comfortable lead.

Miami eighth-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch quickly called a timeout, gathering her team in for what would become one of the greatest come-from-behind runs of the season on the road. Kills from Ellis and Gallagher, added block assists from Mayhew and Cooke, and the lead stood deadlocked at 6-6.

The two teams posting ties again until UM gathered their second lead of the frame behind Carico's solo block off the attack from FSU's Baker. That gave Miami a slim, 10-9 lead. It wouldn't last long as the score tied for the seventh time of the set when Rachael Morgan collected a kill off the pass from Baker.

The Orange and Green, seeking their first postseason appearance since 2002 and their highest ACC finish since 2004, were not to be denied as the Hurricanes ended the frame and the match on a 5-1 run. Senior Ashley Woods placed two kills and Carico and Ellis combined for two more, giving Miami their first win in Tallahassee since Oct. 17, 2006. It was also the first season series sweep of the Seminoles since 2004.

The Seminoles' big four of Morgan (13), Stephanie Neville (12), Barry (11) and Richardson (11) all collected double-digits in kills, while Richardson also posted 16 digs for a double-double performance. Barry added three blocks (two assists) while Baker placed four kills and registered 52 assists from her setter position. Defensive specialist Ashlee Moon collected a team-high 21 digs. Jenna Romanelli also added 11 digs on defense.

Meanwhile, the `Canes used assistance from all over, led by Carico's match-high 16 kills and 24 digs, allowing her to claim a team-leading 16th double-double of the year, including 12 in ACC play. She also added three service aces and two blocks (one solo). Teammate Ashley Woods, playing in her final regular season contest for UM, committed just one error on 28 swings, hit .393 and added eight digs on the afternoon. For the Round Rock, Texas native, it was the second time in three matches that she's acquired double-digit kills, and the seventh time overall on the campaign.

Ellis was brilliant offensively for the Hurricanes as she connected for 14 kills on 18 attacks, posted a .778 hitting percentage and notched her sixth error-free match of the year--her second in ACC play. Mayhew chipped in with 10 kills, and junior Loessberg added 18 digs (her 30th double-digit digs performance of the campaign) to go along with four assists and three service aces. Today, Loessberg broke her own record from a year ago as she recorded a new UM single-season best marks for digs with 554 under her belt this year.

The setter position for UM was key today as well as Gallagher just missed out for the third time this year on her quest for a triple-double, boasting eight kills, a match-high 55 assists and 10 digs.

The Hurricanes now watch the television on Sunday as they wait to see if they will be invited to their first NCAA Tournament since 2002 when they advanced to the Sweet 16. The selection show for the NCAA Volleyball Tournament is set to air live on ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. For more information and up-to-date coverage of the bracket unveiling and selection show, please stay tuned to www.hurricanesports.com.

FIU's Win Over USF almost Seals the Deal for an NCAA Tournament Invitation

The incredible season that FIU has had this year coupled with a first place seed in the conference tournament was placing them in excellent position for not only the NCAA Tournament but also a top seed.

In last weeks Sun Belt Tournament FIU came out flat barely getting by the University Of South Alabama and loosing the semifinal round to New Orleans. That loss took FIU from high seed in the NCAA Tournament to being on the bubble of even getting in. With their backs against the wall they had to defeat the University of South Florida in Tampa. FIU showed their resilience as they swept the USF Bulls 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-17).

As a result of that Victory FIU has solidified it's chance of being invited to the NCAA Tournament.

Yarimar Rosa (15) and Isadora Rangel (14) combined for 29 kills to improve the Golden Panthers to a 28-6 record. Both had a great hitting percentage with Rosa at .444 and Rangel at .360. The team hit .351, their highest hitting percentage since Oct. 25 at Arkansas State.

Freshman Angelina Colon had a match-high 13 digs as FIU had 34 digs to USF’s 19. Sophomore Natalia Valentin had 29 assists to lead all players. Andrea Lakovic added seven kills to just one error while hitting .429. She also had four blocks to lead the match.

FIU handled South Florida’s main offensive threat in junior Marcela Gurgel. Gurgel had been averaging 4.43 kills per set, the 13th best mark in the NCAA. However, she was held to just eight kills and forced eight errors.

A win is almost assured when FIU holds their opponents to hit .250 or lower this season. FIU’s record in that situation is now 27-2 after holding USF to .133.

There were only five lead changes throughout the three sets and the Golden Panthers never trailed past the 10 point mark.

The Bulls (17-14) were led by Mariana Thon’s 17 assists and seven digs.

FIU now awaits the NCAA Selection Committee’s decision to see if they are one of the teams to get an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. The NCAA Volleyball Tournament selection show is currently set to air on ESPNU from 10-10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Nova Southeastern Advances to the Elite 8 in Div II NCAA Tournament

TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 22, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University women's volleyball team came back from a two set deficit for the second consecutive night to defeat University of West Florida and win the NCAA Division II South Regional Finals. The 20-25, 27-29, 25-22, 25-20 and 15-11 victory advances the Sharks (24-11) to the Elite Eight and marks the farthest NSU has ever advanced in program history.
Recovering from an emergency appendectomy the night before, NSU head coach Steve Wilcosky was not present during the match. However, under assistant coach Michelle Piantadosi, the Sharks showed the characteristic heart, passion and will to make their head coach proud. After the match the team visited the hospital and presented him with the championship trophy. A joyous Wilcosky remarked "I couldn't be any prouder of this team."

NSU fell behind early in the opening set, trailing 17-11. The Sharks closed to within four points, but West Florida would go on to win 25-20. Even though the Sharks out-hit (.323 to .317) and out-blocked the Argonauts (3-0), NSU couldn't overcome six kills from West Florida's right side hitter Luciana Rapach. Senior outside hitter Melinda Gorman (Sarasota, Fla.) led the Sharks with four kills and no errors in seven attempts.

With it's back pushed up against the wall, NSU clawed back from a 17-12 deficit to win 25-23 in the third set. The Sharks picked up their defensive intensity, posting six blocks en route to limiting West Florida to a .91 attack percentage. Gorman, Carle and freshman middle blocker Molly Sigerich (Downers Grove, Ill.) each tallied three kills. Carle and junior outside hitter Jenerra McGruder (Euless, Tex.) had four blocks apiece. Libero Kathleen Yony (So., Miami, Fla.) contributed with five digs.

The block party continued for NSU in the fourth set, as the Sharks recorded five more blocks to hold the Argonauts to a -.029 hitting percentage. Petrova and McGruder each had three kills as NSU hit .207 as a team. Middle hitter Patricia Gandolfo had four kills for West Florida.

NSU jumped out to an early 6-2 advantage in the fifth set on back-to-back kills from Gorman and Sigerich. West Florida rallied to tie the set at nine apiece, before NSU pulled together to go on another 6-2 run to complete the 15-11 victory. The Sharks peaked at the right time, hitting a match high .474 in the final set. West Florida was held to a .208 hitting percentage. Carle, Sigerich, Petrova, Gorman and McGruder each had two kills in the Sharks balanced attack. Gandolfo led West Florida again with three kills.


For the match, NSU out-hit West Florida .248 to .181. The Sharks had six more kills, three more assists, five more digs and 14 more blocks than the Argonauts.

Gorman and Petrova led the Sharks to victory, with Gorman posting 16 kills, nine digs and six blocks while Petrova fell just one dig short of a triple-double with 12 kills, 50 assists and nine digs. Carle and Sigerich followed with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. McGruder contributed with six kill while seniors Christina Chubb (Oakland Park, Fla.) and Andrea Irarrazabal (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) added four and three kills apiece. Sophomore Paola Ruiz (Rio Piedras, P.R.) also had two kills for NSU.

Defensively, Yony had a match high 19 digs for Nova Southeastern. Defensive specialist Alison Kalish (Jr., Miami, Fla.) added seven digs. Sigerich and Carle tied for the match high with eight blocks each. Gorman tallied six blocks, including two solo, while McGruder had four.

Petrova, Gorman, Carle and Yony were all named to the NCAA Division II South Regional All-Tournament team.

Nova will next face Truman University on the 4th of December in Elite eight action.

The complete NCAA Division II Tournament Bracket can be found at:

http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2008/ncaa_bracket_DII_volleyball_women.html

We wish Nova the best of luck this upcoming Thursday.

Friday Action: UM Wins in NC State and FIU Falls in the SBC Tournament

Raleigh, N.C. - Hurricane freshman outside hitter Lane Carico (pictured) hammered out a match-high 13 kills to lead the University of Miami Volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep over North Carolina State Friday night at venerable Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes' 25-22, 25-15, 25-19 win allowed eighth-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch to register the 150th win of her career.

FIU (25-6, 13-6 ACC) trailed for much of the first set as NCSU's Lindsay Benac helped the homestanding Wolfpack to four consecutive points off starting serve. UM's senior right side hitter Ashley Woods ended the run with a kill, cutting the UM deficit at 4-1. The Hurricanes rallied late after trailing by as many as 10-3 when Woods, sophomore Katie Gallagher and junior Genny Mayhew punched in kills to cut the N.C. State lead at 13-12. The Orange and Green took the lead for good in the frame following an attack error charged to the Wolfpack--one of five in the set. The UM defense limited them to just .136 hitting in the set (11-5-44), while hoisting a .239 hitting percentage (17-6-46) themselves. UM claimed the 25-22 win with a kill from freshman Carico and blocks from Woods and senior Angelica Ellis.

UM was led by three players in double-figures for kills, most notably Carico's 13-kill performance. Not to be lost was Ellis (10) and Mayhew (10) as the duo accounted for 20 of Miami's 47 kills in the match. Carico added 13 digs to notch another double-double while teammate Cassie Loessberg collected a match-high 13 digs and two assists.

Now Miami has to play in Tallahassee next week in it's final regular season game vs. Florida State for second or third place depending how Duke plays out it's schedule. A victory almost insures that the Hurricanes will be NCAA Tournament bound.

MIAMI – In the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Championships, the FIU volleyball team lost to New Orleans 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-19) on Friday night at U.S. Century Bank Arena.

New Orleans entered the contest as a hot team winning their past six matches and only losing three sets over that span. FIU (27-6) struggled to find any consistency and hit only .132 compared to UNO’s .237.

“New Orleans was just better and they outplayed us” said FIU head coach Danijela Tomic. “I don’t think we had a chance, maybe in the second set a little bit.”

This loss will affect FIU 's NCAA seeding. No matter where they are seeded we are very proud of this team and wish them a strong showing in the tournament.

FIU and UM Volleyball action this weekend

Come out and support your FIU Volleyball team as they compete in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Today, FIU will go against New Orleans who defeated UALR 3-1 on Thursday. The Golden Panthers hit the floor at 5:00 p.m. for the semifinal match up.

If FIU defeats New Orleans in Today's 5:00PM match, make sure you attend the Championship match on Saturday at 3:00PM.

In yesterday's action Despite South Alabama’s best effort, junior Isadora Rangel’s career-high 20 digs paced FIU to a 3-1 (25-13, 22-25, 27-25, 25-20) win in the first round of volleyball's Sun Belt Conference Championships on Thursday.

On a day when Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Yarimar Rosa didn’t have her best match, three other Golden Panthers (27-5) stepped up to the challenge. Rangel had 12 kills to add to her best defensive day. Combined, FIU had a season high total of kills in a four-set match with 69.

Freshman Sabrina Gonzalez had a career-high 11 kills. Fellow freshman Andrea Lakovic also had double-digit kills with 10.

“I think it was key for us today because Yarimar, even though she had 21 kills, it wasn’t one of her better matches, but we had other players step up," said FIU head coach Danijela Tomic.

The match had 28 ties and 12 lead changes, yet none in the first set. In set one, FIU played as they did when the two teams first met, a 3-0 FIU win. The Golden Panthers got out to a 7-2 lead and cruised to a 25-13 win.

In University of Miami action, the Hurricanes fell to the University of North Carolina in Chappel Hill in 4 sets. Genny Mayhew had 16 kills and Ashley Woods had 12 more, but it wasn't enough as UNC downed Miami, 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18).

UM now falls to a tie for third place tonight after Florida State swept NC State over in Raleigh. Miami now trails first place by two matches, but needs a win in their last two matches against NC State and rival Florida State, as well as losses from FSU, Duke and UNC to earn a shot at their first-ever ACC title.

The Hurricanes will try and regroup before traveling 15 miles across the RDU area to nearby Raleigh and facing N.C. State beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday. The match will have live stats available through Game Tracker at www.hurricanesports.com.

UM now is in a must win situation against NC State and next week at Florida State. A loss vs. either opponent and an invitation for the NCAA Tournament might not be a reality.

Palmer Trinity falls short in quest for a state tittle

In the 2A State Final Championship Game, First Academy d. Palmer Trinity in three (3) sets: 25-18, 25-12, 25-17. When you get so close to the ultimate prize loosing hurts all the more. With that in mind we solute the players and remind them of the great year that was theirs. The future looks bright in that many players will return not only to the team but to Lakeland in 2009.

First academy, from Orlando must also be congradulated for a great year. They were lead by Kelly Merideth 12 Kills, Ansley Gebben 9 Kills and 10 Digs, Danielle Shipe 9Kills and 10 Digs and Abby Mixner with 34 Assists.

Lets all root for Florida Christian as they start semifinal round play tomorrow at 4:00PM. We will post results as soon as they are available.

FIU recieves Accolades for a Great Regular Season

For every fan of FIU Volleyball, this seasons awards and accolades must not come as a major surprise seeing that we have all been witnesses to a special season.

Danijela Tomic won Coach of the Year and Yarimar Rosa won Player of the Year at the Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Awards Banquet on Wednesday night at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Miami.

The Newcomer of the Year award went to junior Isadora Rangel, who also made the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team. Joining her was sophomore Natalia Valentin.

Coach Tomic has led FIU to a school-record 26 wins in her fourth season as head of the Golden Panther program. It is the second coach of the year honor for her, last winning it in 2006.

“I wouldn’t be able to get this award without my assistants Eve Rackham, Trevor Theroulde, Dave Garcia and Lori Woodard (athletic trainer),” said Tomic. “They have been a great addition to this program and a lot of people don’t realize that it’s not just one person. It takes everybody involved in this program and they are a big part of this award.”


Rosa (pictured right), a 5-10 outside hitter, picks up the award after being named the preseason player of the year in August. The Vega Baja, Puerto Rico native also picked up First Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. She leads the nation is kills per set (5.27) and has been a big part of FIU’s conference winning season.

“I don’t think there is anybody more deserving of this award,” said Tomic. “She has been dominant all season long and I’m so happy that other coaches recognize that. There are so many good players in our conference, but in my opinion, Yari is the most complete player, and she is well deserving of this honor."

Rangel, a transfer from Kansas, joined Rosa as an offensive threat this season. She is a 6-1 outside hitter and is second on the team with 2.95 kills per set.

“I think it’s a big honor for her. She has been a big difference maker on our team. I don’t think without her that we would be where we are. I don’t think we would have accomplished what we did this year without her on the team.”

Valentin, a 5-7 setter, is leading the team in assists with 10.92. She also has 46 aces to lead the team as well as averaging 2.66 digs per set.

“I’m so thrilled that they (SBC coaches) recognized her worth, and how much she brings to our team. She doesn’t let our team quit. She has improved so much from last year as a setter, and she has also embraced a role of our emotional leader on and off the court.”

The awards were voted on by the leagues 13 coaches. No coach was allowed for vote for their own player.

Five Golden Panthers received academic awards. Senior Mariana Drumeva and sophomore Ines Medved made the Commissioners’ Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.50 or better. Rosa, Valentin and senior Vanessa Romano earned honors on the Academic Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.00 to 3.49.

ALL-SUN BELT CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM

Amila Barakovic, UALR

Emmy Davidsmeyer, Denver

Yarimar Rosa, FIU

Ashley Asberry, Middle Tennessee

Leslie Clark, Middle Tennessee

Dobrilla Kovacevic, New Orleans

Lindsey Loyd, New Orleans

Megan Argabright, WKU

SECOND TEAM

Anita Bucur, UALR

Cayla Fielder, Arkansas State

Holly Benson, Denver

Natalia Valentin, FIU

Isadora Rangel, FIU

Izabela Kozon, Middle Tennessee

Brittany Bowen, WKU

Julia Noe, WKU

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Isadora Rangel, FIU

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Cayla Fielder, Arkansas State

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Amy Hafner, UALR

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Yarimar Rosa, FIU

COACH OF THE YEAR - Danijela Tomic, FIU

Special Thank to FIU.Com - Click on our FIU link to get more info on the Sun-Belt Conference Tournament Starting today, Nov. 20th - 22nd.

Today - Miami Dade Community College Starts it's Quest for a NJCAA Championship

The No. 3-seeded Sharks, (24-6, 8-0 Southern Conference), will play in the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships starting Thursday in Council Bluffs, Iowa, against qualifier North Idaho College.

Since taking over the reins in 2005 after serving as an assistant under legendary coach Ilida Medero for 12 years, Benoit has, by all accounts, done a bang-up job. Benoit, a native of the Dominican Republic, has taken the Sharks to four state titles and qualified for four national tournaments while maintaining the global recruiting edge that has made his teams as diverse as Miami-Dade County.

But 2008 has been a quixotic season for a team accustomed to being atop the National Junior College rankings. After finishing as the national runner-up in 2007 and starting 2008 with a preseason No. 1 ranking, Benoit's team battled chemistry issues that spilled onto the court, turning into losses to inferior competition.

A loss to No. 1 Iowa Western on Oct. 8 was followed by two more losses to Hillsborough Community College and Missouri West Plains at the MDC Shark Tournament -- an annual event usually dominated by the host.

Adding to the drama was the midseason exodus of three players who left the team for personal reasons. The Sharks' season teetered on the brink of disaster. Since then, the Sharks have won eight matches in a row. The team points to a 3-1 win over Hillsborough -- a Nov. 1 rematch -- as the defining moment of the season.

''That was the win that put us over,'' said sophomore outside hitter Rosa Medrano.

Medrano, an All-State and All-Region team selection who also won the FCCAA Tournament MVP, is a high-flying, front-line force from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, coveted by Division I programs across the United States.

HOT BREAKING SCORES FROM LAKELAND

In the 2A state semifinals Palmer Trinity d. Tampa Prep. in five closely contested matches: 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 15-8. Palmer Trinity captured the first two sets and looked to be in control of the match. Tampa Prep had other ideas as they scratched two victories of their own only to fall in the fifth and deciding set.

Palmer Trinity was lead by Paula Prieto 21 Kills, Laura Posada 16 Kills and Sarah Alfonso dished out 47 Assists.

Tampa Prep was lead by an all around strong effort by Alena Ransom with 15 Kills, 18 Digs and 3 Sets.

Palmer Trinity next plays vs. First Academy from Orlando who easily won their state semifinal tomorrow on Nov. 20th at 2:00PM. The SFVR will post the final results shortly after the game is over.

In Class 4A in a five set thriller Desoto County High d. Cardinal Gibbons 32-30,25-18, 19-25, 14-25, 15-12. Talk about a roller coaster ride, from the very start the first set was a thriller to the end. Desoto County High won the first two sets and after intermission the Cardinal Gibbons team came out highly motivated and won the next two matches handily. Seting up the final set of the match which was closely contested.

Desoto was lead by Brittany Muse which had an excellent performance with 29 Kills, 15Assists and 13 Digs. Chloe Boehm had 31 Assists and 14 Digs. The entire Cardinal Gibbons Team put in a gutsy effort.

Desoto County High next plays in the 4A State Championship vs. Nease from Ponte Verde Beach at 4:30PM on Thursday the 20th.

In Class 6A State Semifinal Action Royal Palm Beach d. Miami Palmetto in four (4) sets: 21-25, 24-14, 25-20, 25-21. The Top performers for Royal Palm Beach were Shaina Abdell with 9 kills and 22 Assists as well as Cassady Cook that had 23 Kills and 13 Assists. Latoya Harvin also had an impressive game with 10 kills.

Miami Palmettos top performers were Amanda Marquez with 18 kills and Lindsay Lewis with 42 Assists.

Royal Palm Beach will compete tomorrow for the State Championship @ 7:00PM. The opponent is yet to be determined.


More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Florida International and The University of Miami programs are NCAA Tournament Bound

In what has been a great season for Volleyball in the South Florida Area, FIU and UM have treated the community with an extremely high level of Volleyball. Chances are if you missed FIU's match versus Western Kentucky and UM's match vs. Wake Forest you NEVER saw your home team loose.

The stage is now being set Nationally as the SFVR is projecting that both FIU and UM receive invitations to the NCAA Tournament. The FIU decision is more obvious in that they are the regular season champion and No. 1 seed of the Sun Belt Conference. The team is lead by All-American Yarimar Rosa (pictured), Isadora Rangel and Natalia Valentin.

Despite the Golden Panther’s 14th sweep of the season, Coach Tomic knows next weekend’s conference tournament will be a test for her squad. “We’ll have to step up for the tournament,” said Tomic. “We are peaking at the right time. Our goal every year is to play our best volleyball in November and that’s what is happening. I think we’ll play better on Thursday and Friday and hopefully on Saturday in the finals.”


Just as impressive is the Play of the University of Miami with a 24-5 overall record, who earlier started the year with a 12 game win streak and was only beaten at home by Wake Forest. The `Canes have now eclipsed their best ACC win total with 12, and have produced the most wins in a season since their Sweet 16 run in the NCAA Tournament back in 2002 (27). Three key players to watch: Genny Mayhew (pictured), Lane Carico and Katie Gallagher.

Miami now has a chance to stake claim as a leader in the ACC standings next weekend with a huge showdown with the University of North Carolina on the road in Chapel Hill on Thursday, Nov. 20. After that, they travel to N.C. State on Nov. 21.

As we have had the pleasure of seeing both FIU and UM play incredible volleyball in South Florida. It is now time for the rest of the country to get aquainted with these teams seeing that their stars are young and they plan on being on the national stage for some time.

Palmetto and Florida Christian Volleyball Advance in their Quest to be Champions

Regional Final, 4-6A Palmetto d. Krop in four (4) sets. As Coach Latshaw held her four-week old son, Carlos, in her arms, she stood like a proud mother in more ways than one Saturday afternoon.

Latshaw watched the program she helped develop into a Miami-Dade County girls' volleyball powerhouse over the past four seasons secure its biggest victory of the season against Krop, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22 in a hard-fought Region 4-6A final at the Lightning's gym.

After the win, one of the Palmetto parents handed out T-shirts to the players that read ``C U at states.''

That signified the date the Panthers have Wednesday at The Lakeland Center with Royal Palm Beach in a Class 6A state semifinal at noon.

Palmetto (28-2) will make its first appearance at the Class 6A state final four since 1977, when longtime athletic director Yvette McKinney was the coach.

''This victory isn't about this year, it's a culmination of four seasons of hard work by these seniors,'' said Latshaw, who returned to the Palmetto bench recently after taking a month off for maternity leave. ``When I got here back then, they made a commitment to make this the team it is now.''

During Latshaw's absence, assistant coach Jeff Schneider, who played for Southwest High's 2003 state championship boys' volleyball team, coached several key matches, including Palmetto's first GMAC championship.

The Panthers finished with their best regular-season record in school history, but it wasn't easy as Krop (25-4) nearly rallied from a two-game deficit.

The Lightning made its second consecutive appearance in the regional final.

Behind a tenacious effort by hitters Brittany Dubins and Stephanie Toledo, Krop took the third game of the match and raced to a 6-0 lead in the fourth.

But the collective blocking by the Panthers swung the momentum back in their favor.

Carrie Comendiero had a block and two kills to cut the deficit to 9-8. Later, Devin Billbrough posted a pair of aces that helped tie the game at 14. Palmetto took an 20-17 edge on senior Amanda Marquez's three consecutive kills. Marquez would seal the match with two more kills after Krop had drawn to within two points.

Marquez, who signed a letter of intent to play softball for Villanova earlier this week, finished with a team-high 13 kills, 10 digs and two aces.

Marquez said jokingly that she would be the team's tour guide next week since she is the only player on the team that has played in a state tournament of some kind.

Marquez was the starting catcher on the Palmetto softball team that won a state championship in Plant City last spring.

''I'm glad all of us will get the chance to experience what it's like to go to state,'' Marquez said. ``After losing these past few years, this feels great.''

Palmetto took control of the first two games behind solid defense from the back row, led by Renata Comparini's 13 digs and four aces. Palmetto's serving broke Krop's momentum at several key moments during the match.

Billbrough finished with a team-high 10 aces, and Lewis had seven. Comendiero played strong at the net as well, totaling nine blocks. ''At this point, the girls have played together so long that they each complement each other's role on the team perfectly,'' Latshaw said.

Regional Final 3A - Florida Christian d. North Broward Prep in four (4) sets. For the past couple of years, one of the goals that the Florida Christian girls' volleyball team had was to reach the state tournament. This year, the Patriots can cross that goal off their mental checklist.

Behind strong frontcourt play, very few mistakes and good passing, the Patriots were able to defeat North Broward Prep 25-12, 25-21, 27-29, 25-17 to advance to the Final Four in 3A State Volleyball Tournament.

Cristina Abreu had 15 kills, eight service points and five digs for Florida Christian, and Megan Doyle tallied 13 kills, five blocks and four digs.

Christine Lozano had 39 assists and seven digs, Stephanie Rodriguez finished with nine kills, six digs and 10 service points.

Evelyn Morgado had eight kills and seven blocks, and Kaley Bueno had eight kills as Florida Christian (28-2) advance to the State 3A tournament for the second time in three years.

''We knew we had to pass, serve well and limit our errors,'' said Florida Christian head coach Beth King. ``When we did, we were able to get them out of their game.

``Our mission since 2006 was to go back to state. It was cut short last season, but we pulled through.''

Victoria McPherson had 19 kills and four blocks for North Broward Prep, and Olivia Mesner added 14 kills and five blocks. Krista Lighter had 32 digs, and Katelyn Hummel had 40 assists.

It was the fourth regional final appearance for the Patriots, who lost to Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest in the regional finals.

Lozano the Pine Crest loss became a motivational tool as soon as the game finished.

''Even on that same day,'' Lozano said, ''we said we would do whatever we can this whole year,'' to go back and make it to state.''

North Broward Prep finished its season 21-7. The Eagles, who at one point won just two games, before Jimenez took over the program, have made the Regional playoffs the last three years under head coach Terri Jimenez.

Saturday's regional final is the furthest the team has made it in the playoffs.

''It's all about doing your best, and our girls did our best today,'' Jimenez said. ``The girls fought hard. Florida Christian is chock full of seniors that want to get to state. They came prepared, were fast and skillful.''

Best of Luck to all of our South Florida Teams!

South Florida's High School Volleyball Quest to become CHAMPIONS !

We knew this weekend was going to be special in that we would have the chance to witness excellent games in the high school regional finals. Amongst the upsets were Redlands Christian and Jensen Beach but new leaders took hold of their destinies as they travel to Lakeland in their quest for a Championship. South Florida salutes all the teams that competed this weekend and we wish out teams the very best in their quests to be CHAMPIONS.

Regional Final 2A - Palmer Trinity d. Calvary Christian: The Palmer Trinity Falcons are headed to the Class 2A final four -- again. The Falcons(Pictured) downed Calvary Christian Academy on Saturday afternoon on their home court 3-1 to capture the Region 4-2A championship for the second time in four years.

Palmer traded point for point with the Eagles (18-8) in Game 4, but managed to stay a step ahead in the 25-12, 25-11, 22-25, 25-21 win.

''We did a good job of keeping our cool and playing controlled in the last game,'' Palmer Trinity coach William Gonzalez said. ``The girls knew what was at stake and had been working hard for the chance to get back to Lakeland.''

Freshman Paulina Prieto had a team-high 11 kills, while chipping in seven blocks, three aces and three digs. ''I'm so excited,'' Prieto said. ``This is all we ever really wanted. We started talking about it over the summer and would think about it while we ran the track.''

The Falcons (24-7) led 11-5 in Game 1 when they finally opened a lead behind the timely serving of Kristen Titley, whose three-point run gave Palmer a 14-5 lead.
Titley, a junior, added nine kills and eight digs.

''They were pretty tough,'' Titley said of Calvary. ``We got our offense going once they beat us in Game 3. It's so exciting to get back to Lakeland because when we last went, I was in eighth grade.''

Senior Laura Posada, who had four kills and two blocks, was a member of the 2005 team that last made an appearance in Lakeland. Setter Sarah Alfonso had a dominant game with 56 assists, including a few key ones in Game 4 to seal the win.

Regional Final 4-1A Lake Worth Christian d. Redland Christian: For the first time this season, Redland Christian found out what it was like to be on the other side of their matches and get outplayed, overwhelmed and humiliated. And it came at the wrong time.

During a Region 4-1A final match Saturday, visiting Lake Worth Christian came into the Falcons' gymnasium and dominated, handing them a 25-5, 25-14, 25-15 defeat.

The loss snapped Redland Christian's 18-game winning streak and stopped the Falcons from making it to the state tournament for the second straight year.

''My team didn't bring their A game and didn't play their level of volleyball -- that was obvious,'' Redland Christian coach Rhonda Carr said. ``I don't think they were intimidated, I just think that they didn't bring it -- they just didn't bring it. If three or four don't play their game, forget about it.''

Because Redland Christian (18-1) never gets much competition during the regular season, some players pretend to be star players from better teams in practice.

Lake Worth Christian (26-4) started off on a 12-0 run and scored 11 unanswered later to cruise through the rest of Game 1. Game 2 was similar, as Lake Worth Christian started with a 9-0 lead and built its advantage to as many as 12.

The only time the Defenders trailed in the match was when Redland Christian started off Game 3 with three unanswered points. But Lake Worth Christian came back with a 9-0 run and proved to be too much for Redland Christian.

Although her team was on the losing side, Carr -- who started the school's athletic program from scratch eight years ago -- can take some comfort in the fact that all seven of the girls who cruised through yet another regular season will be back next year, with five being seniors.

'I told them before the game, `Whatever happens, I'm proud of you guys,' '' Carr said. ``I have to be proud of them for what they did and how far they made it this year -- top eight in the state [in Class 1A].

Regional Final - Cardinal Gibbons d. Jensen Beach. Now, two years removed from the University of Florida, Farland stood by herself, hugging her kids, embracing the moment and bathing in her team's victory over defending state champ Jensen Beach (25-5) (15-25, 25-20, 25-22, 28-26), which gave Gibbons (28-3) a berth in the state final four.

''This means the world to me,'' said the first-year coach amid an onslaught of hugs and congratulations. ``Everyone knows this is what we work for. It means the world to keep the tradition going.''

Wynn (nine blocks), sophomore Crystal Dedes (eight blocks, 12 kills) and freshman Katie Hillman (seven blocks) combined for 24 of Gibbons' 34 blocks.

Molly Macek, whom Farland calls ''our all-everything player,'' made some incredible saves to keep long volleys alive and finished with 19 digs, two kills and eight service points. Setter Kayley McLaughlin, one of only three seniors, had 22 assists

Regional Final 4-5A - St. Thomas Aquinas d. Martin County: First came the minor setback, then the adjustments, capped by the barrage of timely blocks to propel the St. Thomas Aquinas girls' volleyball team to Lakeland next weekend for its second consecutive state final four appearance.

The Raiders dropped the first game of their Region 4-5A title match to visiting Martin County, but brushed it off to take control the rest of the way with a 3-1 victory (24-26, 25-14, 25-17, 25-20) Saturday at St. Thomas.

''We don't get down after losing our first game, like some teams would,'' St. Thomas' Brittany Linder said after leading her team with 10 blocks, with five of them coming in a 7-2 spurt that closed out the match.

``We were really strong in our blocking game, and we had our energy up after that first game.''

The Raiders, who improved to 24-5, will face Tampa Plant (28-8) in an 8 p.m. Class 5A semifinal match Friday at the Lakeland Center.

Kelly Marble, who led St. Thomas with 14 kills, also provided the presence at the net that was needed to offset the dominating presence of Tigers 6-5 hitter Elise Walch, a junior, and her 6-1 freshman sister, Nicole. Elise finished with 15 kills, and it was Nicole's block that clinched the first game for the Tigers (22-8) in a tight first game.

''In that first game, I think we were just trying to feel out the other team,'' Aquinas coach Lisa Zielinski said. ``I wouldn't say that's how I planned it, but it was a way to see how we matched up and what we had to focus on.

``I hadn't known much about their big hitter [Elise Walch] because she hadn't played for them until now [because of injury]; other than that, there wasn't much information about them.''

Zielinski's daughter, Stephanie, who finished with 27 assists and nine kills, helped turn the tide quickly in the Raiders' favor in the second game while getting help from Martin County with the frequency of unforced errors. The mistakes piled up early for the visitors as St. Thomas jumped out to a 7-2 lead, then closed it out on a 7-2 spurt with Dee Dee Dennis ending the game with a kill off a Stephanie Zielinski set.

Note: Attached Picture was teken by Phillip "FLIP" Littke

So Many Important Volleyball Games . . . So Little Time.

In a crescendo of volleyball events this weekend South Florida will have the treat of seeing the last local 2008 high school regional action with many finals culminating this saturday. This weekend will also be the final home stand for the University of Miami and FIU where we'll have the opportunity to bid farewell to several seniors who graduate this year.

This Weakends Action:

Friday NOV. 14th - UM vs. Georgia Tech @ 7:00PM - Important ACC match-up as the season winds down.

Saturday NOV. 15th - FIU vs. FAU @ 7:00PM - This is FIU's final homestand and seniors day in which they will say good-bye to Vanessa Romano #13 and Mariana Drumeva #10. This game is a must see in that FIU Plays our friends from Palm Beach and Sunbelt Conference member Florida Atlantic.















Saturday also has four (4) Regional Finals through-out South Florida. The team that advances moves on to the State Final Four:

6A - Regional Final has Krop vs. Palmetto @ 2:00 hosted at Krop

3A - Regional Final has North Broward Prep vs. Florida Christian

2A - Regional Finals has Palmer Trinity vs. Ft. Lauderdale Calvery Christian @ 2:00 hosted at Palmer.

1A - Regional Finals has undefeated Redland Christian vs. Lake Worth Christian

Best of Luck to all our Teams!

Sunday NOV. 16th UM vs. Clemson @ 1:00PM. This will be UM's senior day. Miami will be bidding farewell to three seniors: (pictured left - right)Bridget Bomhack, Asley Woods and Angelica Ellis.



Note: Miami is seeking their second NCAA Tournament appearance all-time and their first since 2002 where they advanced to the sweet 16 before falling to Nebraska.

Palmer Trinity Advances in 2A Volleyball Semifinal

Palmer Trinity withstood a near comeback, but hung on to beat the visiting Warriors 25-23, 25-20, 26-28, 25-20 in a Region 4-2A semifinal at the Falcons' gym.

Palmer Trinity (23-7) will make its second consecutive regional final appearance Saturday when it hosts Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian at 2 p.m. A Falcons' win would send them to state for the second time in four seasons.

''I expected us to play our best volleyball at this time of the season,'' Gonzalez said. ``That's what we train so hard for. This team hasn't lost its mental toughness and is playing at an intensity that's better than most right now.''

Palmer Trinity, which dropped its first regular season encounter with Westminster Christian earlier this season, rebounded two weeks ago with a victory to capture the District 16-2A championship.

After taking a two-game lead Tuesday, the Warriors won a hard-fought third game behind outside hitter Taylor Chao's timely hitting. Chao and Palmer freshman Paulina Prieto (Pictured) dueled point for point until Westminster prevailed 28-26.

But in the fourth game, Prieto helped the Falcons take control and clinched the match with her 11th kill after Chao blocked an attack on the previous point. Prieto, 6' tall, finished with five blocks as well.

''I knew we weren't going to lose,'' Preito said. ``After we lost to them this year, we felt like hurt tigers, we knew it was a matter of time before we woke up.''

Palmer senior middle hitter Laura Posada, one of the few remaining players from the school's 2005 squad that made it to the state final four, made big contributions Tuesday as well. She posted eight kills and three blocks, while junior outside hitter Kristen Titley had nine kills, two aces and two blocks. Junior setter Sarah Alfonso, who played nearly the entire match that lasted two hours, finished with a season-high 82 assists and five kills.

''As the season has gone on, we've strengthened as a team,'' Titley said. ``We've all been really dedicated and we have a lot of confidence in each other.''

Go and support Palmer Trinity at 2:00PM and root them onto the State Final four.

NOTE: Attached Picture was taken by Phillip "FLIP" Littke

Region 4 Semifinal Action in South Florida

Region 4-4A semifinal Cardinal Gibbons d. Mater Academy: In terms of Cardinal Gibbons girls' volleyball -- and volleyball in all of South Florida, for that matter -- nobody will ever take the place of Louise Crocco.

In her first season as coach of the Chiefs, Kathryn Farland isn't doing half bad.
Despite taking over for an area legend who led the program to 18 state championships and inheriting a team that graduated seven seniors, Farland led her new squad to a district title and, after Tuesday night's Region 4-4A semifinals, a 27-3 record. Courtney Buchanan (#2) Pictured scores on a kill shot.

On the road against Mater Academy, Cardinal Gibbons kept setting the bar higher in what was expected to be a sluggish season as it rolled to a 25-19, 25-14, 25-13 victory against the team it knocked out of the regional quarterfinals two years ago.

Cardinal Gibbons will now move on to the regional finals on Saturday, where it will host Jensen Beach (25-4) -- which knocked the Chiefs out in the regional finals last year.

Crocco, still the athletic director, said of promoting a 23-year-old to take her place: ``A lot of people wondered why I hired somebody so young, but I started when I was her age, and I knew that she'd be fine.''

Region 4-5A semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas d. Fort Myers 22-25, 25-15, 27-25, 25-22: Sharing sets and hits, 5-11 Kelly Marble and 5-10 Stephanie Zielinski led the versatile Raiders (23-5) at home. Marble had 15 kills, 12 assists, four digs and three blocks. Zielinski totaled 29 assists, eight kills, eight digs, two blocks and a tip.

''[Fort Myers] came out strong, and we were not communicating in the first game,'' Marble said. ``Teamwork pulled us through.''

Region 4-3A semifinal Florida Christian d. Chaminade 25-5, 21-25, 25-17, 27-25: Florida Christian (26-2) beat the Chaminade-Madonna for the third consecutive time, and this time it counted the most. By beating the Lions in four sets, Florida Christian advances to the regional finals.

''We really came out on fire in the first set, but after the second set we brought the same intensity we brought to our other games'' coach Beth King said. ``We did a better job of doing the little things and we came together and won an important game.''

The Patriots were lead by Christina Abreu who had 13 kills. senior Christine Lozano contributed 43 assists.

Chaminade-Madonna was lead by O'Niel, who had 14 kills, four blocks and four service points, and Sicam, who had 23 digs and five service points.

Region 4-3A Semifinals North Broward Prep d. Pine Crest in what was the most contoversial finish of the night. For about five minutes, Pine Crest thought it had won its semifinal game against North Broward Prep, but Eagles coach Terri Jimenez argued the final call of the game to the head official.

Jimenez argued that the Pine Crest player who attempted to block the North Broward Prep kill attempt then hit the ball again after blocking it making it a double hit.

After arguing her team's case and a brief conference by the officials, it was decided that the point would be replayed with the Eagles serving.

That was it took for the Eagles to come away with the stunning 25-14, 25-27, 13-25, 25-23, 17-15 win at Pine Crest on Tuesday night.

Whether the Pine Crest protest makes a difference remains to be seen, but what the final call by the officials stole from the overall match was a fiercely competitive match with both teams battling for every point.

The Eagles (21-6) rolled in the first game, but blew a chance to go up 2-0 after back-to-back blown sets that could have led to kills to win the set. It appeared the Panthers were taking over after that, as Shelby Spicer had 10 straight service points that led Pine Crest to an easy third set win.

Spicer led Pine Crest (12-17) with 23 kills, 20 digs and 11 service points. But the Panthers blew an 18-15 lead in the fourth set.

Olivia Mesner led the Eagles with 21 kills and seven blocks. Krista Lighter had 27 digs and Katelyn Hummel had 41 assists and 20 service points.

Stay tuned for continued and upcoming action on the road to the Final Four in Lakeland.

Volleypalooza Juniors Event Helps To Develop Young Players

Miami - On November 8th, 2008 a group of 25 young aspiring volleyball players gathered at North Trail Park, 780 NW 127th Ave, for Volleypalooza II. The goal is to provide a safe place where these young players can develop their games. Players (10-13yrs old) from St Kevin's, Glades and Arvida Middle (pictured) played several friendly yet competitive games and worked on several skills.

Coach Susana Sarasa of Arvida ran several drills for all of the young girls in attendance. This was not only a great opportunity for all the young players to learn and practice new skills but it was a friendly setting for many of these young players to meet and make new friends in the South Florida Volleyball Community.

The event started at 2:00PM and was officially over at 5:00PM but several players continued playing in pick-up style until sundown.

Keep an eye out for the next Volleypalooza posting - probably during the Christmas break . . MERRY VOLLEYMAS!

Q and A with Miami Ferguson Varsity Coach, Greg Shanower

We sat down with Coach Greg Shanower before his teams upcoming Semi regional action tonight at Palmetto Sr. at 7:00 PM tonight.

SFVR: When did your love for the game of Volleyball start?
SHANOWER: I grew up in Ohio and boy’s volleyball not a sport in Ohio yet. My love for volleyball started back in High School, my school did not have a team, but my father would drive me 2 hours away to play on a club team in Erie, PA. Then my loved continued when I played college at Kent State University.

SFVR: Please list out your coaching experience over the last 14 years?
SHANOWER:
95-97 Kent State University – Student Assistant
97-98 Hoover High School – Assistant Coach
98-99 Hiram College – Head Coach
99-03 St. Thomas Aquinas, Louisville Ohio – Head Coach
03-05 Miami Spring Senior – Head Coach
05- Present Ferguson High School – Head Coach
* Many club teams in Ohio as well

SFVR: What is a good age for a prospective player to start playing and learning the game of volleyball?
SHANOWER: It is never too early to play, however the trend seems to be 12 years of age.

SFVR: Do you know of any junior leagues that play Volleyball?
SHANOWER: There are a few clubs in the area that promote volleyball in the off season. VPA ran out of Sunset, SPIKE ran out of Killian, South Florida Flyers ran by me out of Ferguson. There are a few more that can be seen on the Florida USA volleyball website under juniors


SFVR: What can South Florida do to improve the level of Volleyball played?
SHANOWER: Start to get kids younger involved in volleyball. We are having a harder time however with the cut back on Middle School volleyball. If kids do not play club volleyball the first time they get exposed to volleyball may be their freshmen year in high school. Which if we want to compete down here in Florida or the United States it is too little to late.



SFVR: Besides High School, are you involved in any USAV or beach volleyball? SHANOWER: For the last 6 years in Miami I have been coaching both boys and girls in High School. This year I decided to focus on girls only and retired from coaching boys. This has freed up more time to start a club out of Ferguson called the South Florida Flyers. I am only starting this year with one team, but I am going to expand it next year. I have also taken a team to AAU nationals the last two years. Last year I played USAV in Ohio. I would fly to Ohio once a month to play with old college players in the area. We tried to qualify for Nationals but fell short in the Semi-Finals


SFVR: Back in August, what was your expectation regarding this year’s team?
SHANOWER: I knew that we could compete with most teams in Miami-Dade. My team is made up of 10 juniors and that is it. I do not loose anyone. I thought we would take more bumps then we have. They have gone beyond my expectations for this year. I thought we would be able to compete this year and next year would be our year. I guess the girls didn’t want to wait. Either way it has been a fun ride.


SFVR: What has been the constant message that you’ve given your team this year?
SHANOWER: “ONE HEARTBEAT ONE TEAM” That has been the motto ever since I got here to Ferguson, That and “Believe”. When I took over 3 years ago this team didn’t know how to win. I made them start to believe in themselves and set goals.

SFVR: As you find yourself at the regional semifinals, can you reflect for the readers what it has taken for you and the team to be in the hunt for the Championship?
SHANOWER: A lot of time, hard work, sweat, blood, and dedication from everyone on the team. I know that sounds vague, but I believe that every team out there has given the same thing all year no matter where they ended up at the end of the year. We are just happy we have been able to continue.


SFVR: What are the keys to advance beyond the upcoming game with Palmetto?
SHANOWER: WOW. That would be nice. To do that we need to focus on three things: Passing, Defense and Serving. Palmetto is a very good team with few weaknesses. It should be a great game.


SFVR: Will you be holding any volleyball camps for younger players in spring or summer?
SHANOWER: I hold a lot of conditionings and open gyms during the summer. I have always allowed other players from other schools to come. I think if we develop volleyball in general down here in Miami then we will all benefit.

SFVR: Coach we couldn’t agree more with you. The better South Florida players do on a state or national level the more opportunities that will be available to the younger players coming up in the system.

SFVR: Some fun facts about the coach:
SFVR: What is your favorite book?
SHANOWER: BO KNOWS BO. Autobiography about BO Jackson
SFVR: What is your favorite professional team?
SHANOWER: Cleveland Browns
SFVR: Do you go to the AVP when it’s in town?
SHANOWER: YES
SFVR: Do you follow any of the local college teams?
SHANOWER: I try to make it to as many FIU volleyball games as I can. They rock this year!
SFVR: Who is/are the player(s) you admire the most?
SHANOWER: I am really happy to see #4 Angelina Colon, which plays Libero and #12 Sabrina Gonzalez Middle Blocker for FIU. They are home town girls and I have had the privilege of coaching against both of them. I wish them well.

Coach we wish you and your team the very best in this years playoffs and regardless of tonight outcome we know Ferguson is in good hands.

FIU Beats Middle Tennessee and Can WIN The Conference with a Victory Over WKU This Sunday @ 1:00PM

The FIU campus was alive with electricity as several events were going on friday evening, the football stadium, a soccer match and a block party complete with a laser light show. Nothing was more electrifying than to witness the FIU Ladies Volleyball team stake their claim to at least a share of the Sun Belt Conference Title.

For the first time since 2001, the FIU volleyball team beat Middle Tennessee in five sets, 3-2 (25-22 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 21-19) and in doing so, won at least a share of the Sun Belt Conference Title on Friday at FIU Arena.

It’s been 14 matches between victories for FIU (24-4, 14-1 SBC) against MTSU (21-5, 11-3 SBC) and there was no better time to get it done than with conference supremacy on the line. A boisterous crowd of 1,016 came to see FIU win their 12th match in a row including their 14th in their last 15 matches. FIU last won the regular season conference title in 2006 when they shared it with three other schools.

Both teams didn’t hit their best, but it was because of the strong defense of both squads that the numbers were down. The Blue Raiders hit .238 while the Golden Panthers hit just .180 for the match.

FIU was down by as much as eight, 5-13, in the first set and didn’t even reach a tie until it was 21-21. The Golden Panthers then scored three of the next four points to win the first set 25-22.

In the second set, FIU jumped out to a 5-2 lead, only to see Middle Tennessee tie it at 10. However, FIU would take the lead on the next point and hold it for a 25-21 win.

In the third set, the Blue Raiders showed why they have been receiving votes in the top 25 poll nearly every week this year and have won conference the past two seasons. Up 2-0 in the match, FIU never had the lead in the third set and was down by as much as 10 (16-6). They did show life however, and had a 15-7 run to get within two points, 23-21. Too much Izabela Kozon and her 20 kills and 17 digs gave MTSU their first set of the match 25-21.

The fourth set saw six ties and four lead changes, but FIU was down early until taking its first lead at 17-16. Sophomore Natalia Valentin and freshman Andrea Lakovic teamed up for a huge block to tie it at 21, but MTSU pulled through to win 25-23.

It all came down to the fifth set as FIU fell behind early 7-3. At 10-5, the Blue Raiders were just five points away from taking the match. An 8-3 run by the Golden Panthers tied it at 13 and would start a back-and-fourth battle between the two volleyball powers. There were six match points, three for FIU and two for MTSU and the Golden Panthers didn’t have their first lead of the set until 17-16. Fans were nearly treated to another full set of volleyball action as FIU pulled out a 20-19 win.

Valentin had her sixth match of at least 50 assists with 58 to go with 14 digs. Most of those assists, especially down the stretch, went to kills by juniors Yarimar Rosa and Isadora Rangel. Rangel had her fourth double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs. Rosa had 25 kills and 14 digs for her 17 double-double match.

FIU can win the conference outright with a win over WKU on Sunday, Nov. 9. The match with the Lady Toppers is at 1 p.m. at FIU Arena.

Match Notes

1,016 is the second largest crowd to watch an FIU volleyball game since the records were kept in 2003 ... The largest was 1,062 in FIU’s home opener this season against UCF ... Head Coach Danijela Tomic is now 1-8 lifetime against MTSU ... FIU is now 13-0 when leading 2-0 ... 24 wins is tied for the most in the program’s history ... Five set matches have been good to FIU as they are 4-1 this season when going the distance.

Courtesy: FIUSPORTS.COM

FIU to Play Sun Belt Conference Rival Middle Tenessee State this Friday the 7Th

Come out this Friday and support your FIU team as they host Middle Tennessee. MTSU has won the last two regular season Sun Belt Conference Titles in volleyball, but FIU will have a chance to win it this year right in front of them as they take the court at FIU Arena on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

A win over the Blue Raiders (21-4, 11-2 SBC) will give the Golden Panthers (23-4, 13-1 SBC) at least a share of the conference championship. It will be a tough test as FIU goes against a team they haven’t beaten since 2001, a string of 14 straight.

“They are a very good team, there is a reason why they are still receiving votes and were ranked in the top 25 earlier in the season,” said Danijela Tomic. “We know everything about them and they know everything about us.

Middle Tennessee poses a triple threat of players who are averaging three kills per match or more. Ashley Asberry is averaging 3.25 k/s and is third in the NCAA in hitting percentage (.480). Other offensive threats are Izabela Kozon (3.34) and Ashley Mead (3.44). Ashley Waugh is a standout defender with 3.54 digs per set.

“There is not going to be that much different in preparation for them because we need to take care of things on our side of the net which I don’t feel that we did the first time we played them in Murfreesboro,” said Tomic.

In the last meeting between the two teams, FIU hit a paltry .116 and MTSU countered with a percentage of .328 in a 3-1 Blue Raider win on Oct. 3.

“We made too many unforced errors and made mistakes we usually don’t make,” said Tomic said. “Give credit to Middle Tennessee because good teams do that to other teams. They force you to make errors, but we know we have to play our best match of the season to beat them.”

NOTE: FIU’s Yarimar Rosa continues to lead the NCAA in kills per set (5.23) and total kills (507) as she has all season. The Golden Panthers have won 11 matches in a row and 13 of their last 14 matches. Their win percentage of .852 is the 15th best in the nation.

There is no admission being charged to see the 18th ranked FIU Ladies Volleyball Team, so come and support them.

Q and A with Miami Killian High School Coach Clinton Reid

We sat down with Miami Killian High School Head Volleyball Coach Clinton Reid and asked him to reflect upon his 30 years of International and Domestic Volleyball Experience. We appreciate his time and the wisdom he shared with us. We hope that parents and young players take the time to read this interview and learn what it takes to become elite players.

SFVR: Coach, I'm sure everyone is aware of your final four appearances in the state tournament and the countless acolades that both your girls and boys teams have enjoyed. Please give us an idea of your initial involvement in Volleyball and your coaching experience:
REID:
> I started playing volleyball in 1978 in Jamaica (Mico Teachers’ college).
> I represented Jamaica in the several Caribbean Volleyball Tournaments from 1980 – 1988.
> Coach Jamaica high school volleyball from 1979 -1988.
> In 1984 I wrote a proposal to United Nation Educational Scientific Organization (UNESCO) asking for funds to implement a Mini-Volleyball program for underprivileged students in six inner city schools of Kingston, Jamaica. I was granted an undisclosed amount and was able to purchase equipment and prepare a training program for over 80 students who were under 12 years old.
> I was coach of the first 19 & under female team to participate in the North Central America and Caribbean Tournament in Guatemala in July of 1988.
> 1990:- coach of the Grand Bahama Women’s volleyball team that participated in the Bahamas Games.
> 1992-94 Assistant Coach of NCAA (D-II) St. Augustine College women’s volleyball team in Raleigh, North Carolina.
> 1995-97 Assistant Coach Miami Springs Senior High.
> 1998-2000 Head Coach Miami Springs.
> 2001-present Head coach of Miami Killian Boys and Girls programs.

SFVR: Your Killian Team has made it to the State Final Four the last three years. What do you attribute the success that your teams have enjoyed over the years?
REID: Changing the culture of the players, by getting them to believe that they are capable of doing impossible tasks on the court. Teaching them to outsmart their opponents, with their learned skills. Teaching the skills of the game to the highest level and respect your opponents every time. They must always strive to be better than their opponents in every aspect of the game.

SFVR: Last night your Killian Team was eliminated by Ferguson. What was your message to the team?
REID: We need to improve our skill level for next year. Ferguson played a better game than we did; therefore we have to spend the off-season getting better. Play some club volleyball.

SFVR: Looking forward what South Florida team will go the furthest in the state championship tournament?
REID: 2A:- Palmer Trinity/Westminster; 3A:- Florida Christian; 6A:- Palmetto

SFVR: What is the best opposing player your team has faced thus far this year?
REID: There was no outstanding player on any team this year. Most teams had a balance group of players who did their best at whatever position they played.

SFVR: Switching Gears, I’d like to talk about the Volleyball scene in South Florida.

SFVR: State wise, how does the level of volleyball in S. Florida compare to the central part of the state?
REID: Not that great. The skill level and the height issue are our biggest problem.

SFVR: What do you attribute to that?
REID: We need to have programs that start at the elementary level or community level, just as the baseball and football programs. The game of volleyball is not pushed in the communities and schools or in the parks, by the park personnel. When I was in North Carolina, every park has a gym and they were in close proximity to each other, and each had at least two nights assigned to volleyball for pick-up games.

SFVR: Coach, we couldn’t agree with you more!

SFVR: I have read that in California Volleyball courts are found in public parks by the dozen if not by the 100’s. Do you think that the Dade County park service should invest a bit to have more hard and sand courts available?
REID: If you cannot build gyms, The Dade county parks could build volleyball sand courts. We need these courts to help provide playing facilities for volleyball. We could stage tournaments on week-ends.

SFVR: We only wish more people thought like you do!

SFVR: Do you believe that Beach Volleyball can help a player improve their respective skills as an indoor player?
REID: Beach volleyball can help build court awareness, vertical leaps, ball control and serving techniques.

SFVR: What do you recommend that a young player do to become an elite performer?
REID: Be more attentive to detailed instructions; don’t find excuses for you not completing the task at hand. Don’t say I will try, “DO IT”. Practice with people who are better than you, and leave the gym or training session better than when you entered. Listen to your coaches, you are not too young or old to learn new stuff.

SFVR: What are your plans for the near future?
REID: Cut back on the number of volleyball activities in the near future.

SFVR: A little more about you:
SFVR: What is your favorite book?
REID: None at this time. I mainly read educational magazine.
SFVR: What is your favorite South Florida Professional Team?
REID: The Marlins
SFVR: Do you follow the local university volleyball programs?
REID: Yes, FIU
SFVR: What do you think of FIU - OH, Yarimar Rosa?
REID: She is a phenomenal player, her poise, athletic ability, skill level, and determination is a behavior that most young girls should pattern. Beside, she is a humble individual, who accepts the fame with grace. She is a model for all young and aspiring volleyball players.

Krop is the Only Constant in This Years 6A Semifinals

New Teams ascended to the regional semifinals next Tuesday as Ferguson, Palmetto, Hialeah and Krop all advance. Krop being the only team of the group that made it this far last year.

Region 4-6A quarterfinals -- Dr. Krop d. Miami Springs in three sets (3-0): The Dr. Krop Lightning girls volleyball team won its regional quarterfinal match Tuesday, defeating Miami Springs 25-6, 25-15, 25-11. Jessyca Schiffman led the Lightning (23-3) with 25 assists, two kills, and three aces. Brittany Dubin turned in a nine kill and three dig performance and Dylan Yarchin had 11 digs, three kills, and two aces.

Region 4-6A quarterfinals -- Furgeson d. Killian in three sets (3-0): Ferguson's victory snapped Killian's three year run of advancing to the state final four. Ferguson won the three closely contested games 25-20,25-23,25-19. The Falcons (23-4) were lead by Kristin Walewski's 17 digs and 31 assists, and Alex Walewski's 10 kills and 16 digs, Danielle Pohl had nine kills and three digs to control the middle.

Region 4-6A quarterfinal -- GMAC Champion Palmetto d. Southwest in three sets (3-0): Palmetto finds itself in the playoffs for the first time in five years and advanced against Southwest with victories of 25-11,25-22,26-24. Amanda Marquez led the Panthers with 22 kills, Carrie Commendiero knocked in seven kills and Setter Lindsay Lewis had 47 assists.

Region 4-6A quarterfinal -- Hialeah d. Goleman in three sets (3-0): The Hialeah Thoroughbreds moved on to the second round of the playoffs Tuesday as it defeated Barbara Goleman 25-16, 25-16, 25-12. Hialeah (22-5) was led by the strong play of Maria Madrid. Madrid finished with 15 kills and four blocks. Jasmine Wilkins also came up big, scoring 12 kills and four blocks while Eliana Romero added 14 assists and one kill.

Region 4-4A Quarterfinals -- Cardinal Gibbons d. Ronald Reagan in three sets (3-0): The Cardinal Gibbons girls' volleyball team earned a spot in the regional semifinals as it defeated Ronald Reagan 25-7, 25-10, 25-12 Tuesday. Leading the Chiefs (26-3) was Crystal Dedes, who had eight blocks, 13 kills, four points, and two aces. Cardinal Gibbons also received a strong performances from McKenzie Schwarb and Molly Macek. Schwarb had 12 assists, three digs, 18 points, and nine aces and Macek finished with 13 digs, 16 points and three aces.

Region 4-4A Quarterfinals -- Mater Academy d. Archbishop McCarthy in three sets (3-0): Mater Academy will move on to the regional semifinals after defeating Archbishop McCarthy Tuesday 25-12, 25-19, 25-19. The Lions (23-5) were led by Jenna Isaacs. Isaacs turned in one of her best performances with 25 kills and three blocks. Mater's Natasha Naveda contributed 42 assists and Alexis Gandon added 20 digs.

Region 10-6A Quarterfinals -- Jupiter d. Boca Raton in four games (3-1) on the road, winning 25-19, 25-18, 16-25, 25-16. The Warriors controlled the net throughout, and their back row quickly got the ball back into the air when hits made it past their block. Jupiter finished with 26 blocks and had three players with more than five blocks. Sophomore Jordan Fiser led the way with nine blocks, with Rebecca Agnant and Lauren Lindley adding seven and six blocks, respectively.

Region 12-6A Quarterfinals -- Cypress Bay d. Coral Springs in three sets (3-0)
Throughout the season, the Lightning volleyball team found itself needing big rallies to win. Against Coral Springs on Tuesday night, it was just the opposite.
The Lightning dominated a quick, three-game match and advanced with a 25-12, 25-13, 25-15 win over the Colts.

Palmer Trinity & Westminster advance to Regional Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 11th

On an evening of change politically the region 4-2A power houses stay the same as Palmer Trinity and Westminster advance for a showdown next Tuesday the 11th.

On Laura Posada's Birthday (Pictured Spiking) Palmer trinity advances in Region 4-2A quarterfinal action. Palmer Trinity d. Miami Country Day in three sets (3-0): The Falcons cruised to an opening round victory Tuesday as it defeated the Miami Country Day Spartans 25-11, 25-11, 25-20. The Falcons were led by Paulina Prieto, who had five kills, seven blocks, and four aces. Kristen Titley chipped in with seven kills and three aces and Laura Posada added six kills and three blocks.

Region 4-2A Quarterfinals -- Westminster Christian d. Dade Christian in three sets (3-0): Westminster Christian defeated Dade Christian Tuesday in the region 4-2A quarterfinals 25-10, 25-21, 25-17. Leading the way for the Warriors (21-7) was Taylor Chao, who had 14 kills, 11 digs, and four aces. Julie Trembley also had a strong game, finishing with 10 kills, nine digs, and two aces. Rebecca Acevedo contributed 22 assists, five kills, eight digs, and five aces.

Next Weeks match-up will be a must see, please make sure to show up and support both teams.

Note: Attached Picture was Taken by Philip "Flip" Littke

Q and A with MIAMI'S VARELA HEAD COACH CARYN CORTRIGHT

We sat down with Coach Cortright of Miami's Varela High School after districts this year. She has been coaching since 1996. We found a person that is vibrant and enthusiastic about Volleyball both in her playing days and now coaching.

SFVR: When did your love for Volleyball start?
Cortright: Probably during my first year of high school in 10th grade. My coach was Stephanie Gibson and she taught us to love the game before anything.

SFVR: How has Volleyball impacted your life?
Cortright: Volleyball has been a vital part of my life the past 20 years. It helped me pay for my education and led me into a career in teaching and coaching.


SFVR: Where have you coached in the past?
Cortright:- Fairmont State University (1996) – After my playing career, student assistant
- Miami Sunset High School (1997-2000) – Assistant Coach
- South Florida Volleyball Club (1996-2000) – Head Coach 14’s, 17’s, and 18’s
- Varela High School (2000-present) – Head Coach

SFVR: Tells of your experience as Head Coach of Varela’s Volleyball team?
Cortright: My experience has been great. It was an honor to be given the opportunity as a young coach to start a program from scratch and have an impact on as many young ladies as I have been able to. The student-athletes that have come through Varela have helped to make a name for our program and the support of the administration throughout the years has been tremendous.

SFVR: What were your expectations of the season before it started?
Cortright: We were a young team this season so there was definitely a re-building process that took place. Our starting rotation consisted of only 3 Seniors and included 4 juniors and 2 sophomores. The ultimate expectation was to be competitive in every match and improve throughout the season.

SFVR: Explain how you felt having your team eliminated in the district tournament this year?
Cortright: You never like to be eliminated early and this was the first time Varela has not competed beyond Districts in 4 years… so of course there is disappointment. However, we are in an incredibly competitive district and finished the season 17-9, which for a team that graduated 7 seniors was very good.

SFVR: What message did you give your returning players for next year?
Cortright: Work hard and take the lessons of this year with you. The off-season will be important for us to prepare for next year. We will be the team with experience next year and we need to learn how to take advantage of that.

SFVR: Will any of your players play for a USAV Club this season?
Cortright: There will definitely be some that play, but I will not know details until after tryouts next month.

SFVR: Do you offer a summer camp or open gym for Varela and younger students?
Cortright: We will be holding a few middle school clinics in the Spring, 2009.

SFVR: Tell us a little more about you:
 What is your favorite book? Anything by John Grisham
 What is your favorite band / song? U2/ With or Without You Do you go to the AVP when it’s in town? Yes

We wish the best of luck to Coach Cortright, her Varela Vipers or where-ever life and volleyball takes her. We will post Varela's Spring Camp information for middle school players as the it approaches.