After opening the regular season Aug. 22, the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) women’s volleyball team kicks off its home slate on Aug. 30, with a 6 p.m. match against Santa Fe College.
The 2017 team is the school’s first to compete as the Bobcats — PHSC’s new athletics moniker since retiring the Conquistadors last spring.
Under longtime head coach Kim Whitney, the volleyball program returns seven players from last year’s 12-18 squad, including captains Tyler Hunter (middle hitter) and Cheyenne Miller (outside hitter). Also returning is outside hitter Marissa Niedermeyer; middle hitters Lindsey Moore and Wiregrass Ranch-product Courtney Rottum; and, liberos Kim Johnson and Zoe Murchio.
The team also is buoyed by a freshman class that includes setters Brie Tsamis (Mitchell) and Sarah Asbury (Weeki Wachee); middle hitters Natasha Bannister (Nelson, New Zealand) and Abby Epstein (Crystal River); outside hitters Camden Bitter (Belleview, Ocala), Carla Butler (Hornby, New Zealand) and Emily Schoonover (Sunlake); and, libero Morgan Church (Harmony, St. Cloud).
Meanwhile, PHSC added Deann Newton as an assistant coach. Newton spent the past four seasons as Sunlake High’s head volleyball coach, who compiled a 76-38 career mark and two district championships.
Admission is free for all home matches, which are at the PHSC West campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.
Immediately following all home matches, PHSC will host a free volleyball clinic for elementary and middle school children, ages 6 to 13 years old.
