Cougars Volleyball Team - USCAA National Tournament Summary

On Saturday, October 27, the UC Clermont volleyball team finished their stay at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship tournament with a decisive 30-16, 30-19, 30-17 win over New Hampshire Technical Institute in the seventh place game.
 
In spite of their seventh place finish, the Cougars actually made a better showing than it might seem.  The tournament featured a much stronger field than 2006 with the addition of major volleyball powers Spalding University and Southern Virginia University.  In 2006, the Cougars finished fifth.
 
During the 2006 tournament, UC Clermont faced a couple of teams (including national champion Florida College) which easily handled the Cougars.  This year was a different story.  Clermont College was just a few points from winning each match and actually had a one-game- to-zero, 17-8 second game lead over eventual national champion Florida College before falling in four games.
 
Even though UC Clermont is a Division II USCAA school, the volleyball championship combines all Division I and II teams into a single competition.  The Cougars faced many schools which offer athletic scholarships.
 
“This year’s team showed significant improvement over last year’s results,” said Head Coach Joe Harpring.  “While we would have liked to finish higher, I’m pleased with our performance and growth as a program.  The tournament definitely showed us where we need to focus next year.  We will look to take that additional step with our volleyball program and beat some of these outstanding teams.”
 
One of UC Clermont’s players, sophomore middle hitter Kelley Koons from Miamisburg High School was honored during the tournament.  At the USCAA awards banquet, held in conjunction with the national tournament, Koons was selected as an Honorable Mention All-American by the USCAA All-American committee.