The volleyball season has already started for Pasco-Hernando State College, but coach Kim Whitney hasn’t attended their games. She doesn’t go to practice, either.
She hasn’t abandoned her team. She’s just been a little busy.
Whitney gave birth to her son, Francis, on Aug. 26.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
She hasn’t completely disappeared, though. That would be tough for Whitney, who’s built a perennial regional contender over the past decade. During her tenure, the Lady Quistas have consistency qualified for their regional tournament for District P, which requires a .500 record or better over the course of the regular season. During that time, they’ve also qualified for five NJCAA national tournaments, and took home the Division II national championship in 2010.
So while she’s caring for her son, she’s still keeping a close eye on her squad.
“I’ve been working from home and keeping in communication with the team, and with Brian,” Whitney said.
“Brian” is assistant coach Brian Kachurak, who’s been on the volleyball staff for several years. He knows Whitney’s coaching philosophy and is able to communicate her expectations to the team until she returns in early October.
Whitney has full confidence in Kachurak, and said she knows the team is in good hands.
They’ll need strong guidance as they navigate the early part of their schedule. The Lady Quistas were 8-6 after 14 matches, enough to qualify for their regional tournament by a small margin. But, Whitney isn’t concerned. She’s not even surprised, since she purposely scheduled difficult opponents to open the season.
The Lady Quistas have already faced nationally ranked opponents, had close losses against Division I competition, such as Hillsborough Community College, and defeated regular regional finalists Catawba Valley Community College.
The team has won some and lost some, but it is testing itself early and proving it can compete against elevated talent on the court, Whitney said.
That’s exactly what she wanted to see from her team.
“They’re all really good competition for us. It helps us to continue to grow, but it challenges us. We don’t want to be playing teams that are easy run-throughs, and then we get to qualifying (matches for the national tournament) and we’re shocked at the level of play,” she said. “It’s going to help us in the long run.”
It will also help the team learn how to work together while under adversity. Frequent turnover is expected at a two-year college, but Whitney’s team returns just six players, and only half of those were starters. They’re playing with nine incoming freshmen and a couple of transfers, and everyone is learning how to maximize their effectiveness in the system.
The coach is happy with what she’s seen, even if she’s seeing it from afar. She’s watching film, staying in touch with her assistant coach and captains, and monitoring the team’s progress. If it can limit mistakes, Whitney believes she’ll return to a team that can repeat the success of last year’s national tournament-qualifying squad.
“You’ve got to work through the processes and different things that challenge a team,” Whitney said. “I think they’re going to be great.”
Remaining 2015 volleyball schedule for The Lady Quistas
Oct. 6 vs Florida International University
Oct. 9 vs Owens Community College (at tournament in North Carolina)
Oct. 9 vs Monroe College (at tournament in North Carolina)
Oct. 10 vs Northern Virginia Community College (at tournament in North Carolina)
Oct. 10 vs Catawba Valley Community College (at tournament in North Carolina)
Oct. 13 at Hillsborough Community College
Oct. 20 at South Florida State College
Oct. 24 at State College of Florida-Manatee
Oct. 27 vs Florida National University
Oct. 28 at College of Central Florida
Oct. 31 vs Webber JV (tri-match in Bradenton)
Oct. 31 vs State College of Florida (tri-match in Bradenton)
Published September 30, 2015
