UC Clermont Cougars Win OCAC Tournament

Thanks to an absolutely dominant defensive performance in the Ohio Collegiate Athletic Conference (OCAC) tournament finals, the UC Clermont College Volleyball Team captured their second consecutive post-season championship. The Cougars had an impressive week leading up to the tournament. The week began with a Wednesday home match-up against OCAC program Clark State. UC Clermont got off to a slow start in the contest as Clark State was able to take the first set 25-22. That loss seemed to awaken the Cougars. The next three sets went Clermont’s way as they marched to a 25-14, 25-10, 25-10 victory.

The following evening, Miami University-Middletown came to the Cougardome for UC Clermont’s final home regular season contest. It was also Senior Night, as the school honored graduating libero Cindy Votel. Dean Greg Sojka, Assistant Dean Ann Appleton and Head Coach Joe Harpring presented Cindy with several gifts and awards as Cindy’s family joined in the festivities.

In a similar fashion to the previous evening, Clermont got off to a slow start versus the Thunderhawks. Middletown’s potent offense carried them to a 25-21 first set win. Once again, the Cougars recovered to capture the next two sets 25-15, 25-12 before embarking on an exciting fourth set. Both teams played top notch volleyball before Clermont was able to pull away at the end to take the set 25-19 and the match. The Cougars recorded 63 team digs and committed only two serving errors in the contest.
 
On Saturday, the Cougars traveled to Circleville, Ohio as the number one seed in the OCAC tournament. The seeding gave Clermont a bye into the semi-finals and a match-up with quarterfinal winner Ohio State-Marion. The Scarlet Wave used their momentum from their quarterfinal victory to make the first set a tight battle. Clermont was able to prevail, however, by a 25-18 score. The Cougars then gained the momentum and cruised to a 25-14, 25-11 sweep. Nine service aces and 69 team digs made the difference.
 
Thanks to the win, it was on to the championship match against number two seed and host Ohio Christian. At this point the Cougars reached another level of play and emphatically made a statement about their championship worthiness. Blocking and floor defense made the difference as the Cougars recorded an outstanding 26 blocks and 61 digs. They were even able to hold the reigning conference player of the year to a negative hitting percentage for the contest. Clermont took the first set 25-15 and didn’t look back.  Set two went to the Cougars 25-12 as they scored most of their points from blocks. Ohio Christian made a run in set three, but Clermont took over at the end with several thundering kills to take set three and the championship 25-18.
 
“The kids felt like they had something to prove today and it really showed in their level of play and the energy they displayed,” said UC Clermont Head Coach Joe Harpring. “They did a great job of controlling the game with their defense.”

At the OCAC banquet before play began, UC Clermont players received several honors. Senior Cindy Votel and junior Rachel Hays were named First Team All-Conference. Junior Courtney Davis, sophomore Becca Walton and freshman Kaitlyn Miller made the Second Team. Miller was also selected OCAC Freshman of the Year and Cougar mentor Joe Harpring was named Coach of the Year. Thanks to outstanding individual performances, Hays and Votel shared the Cougars’ tournament most valuable player honors. The team returns to practice this week and awaits word from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) about a bid to the national championship tournament.