UC Clermont Cougars Preparing for 2012 Season

After a successful 2011 campaign where UC Clermont College Volleyball Team extended streaks for conference championships (eight) and trips to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship tournament (six), the latest version of the Cougars is ready to begin a challenging new season.

The Cougars lost several quality players to graduation after 2011, so finding top level replacements was a priority for the coaching staff.  During the off-season, the team was able to add several talented individuals for 2012.  Success will depend on the team’s ability to blend this new raw material with the returning players to form a cohesive unit.

Clermont will be led by two seniors this year.  Middle hitter Rachel Hays (Amelia High School), a First Team All-American and First Team All-Conference selection, joins defensive specialist Rachel Ferguson (Norwood) to help the newcomers “learn the ropes”.

Also returning are junior setter Becca Walton (Mercy) – Second Team All-Conference, junior right side hitter Haley Weber (Mariemont), sophomore defensive specialist Courtney Maier (Newport Central Catholic) and sophomore outside hitter Kaitlyn Miller (Sycamore) – Second Team All-Conference and conference Freshman of the Year in 2011.

Joining the squad for 2012 are outside hitter Heather Rowland (Norwood), setter Alex Robb (Amelia), middle hitter Kiley Collins (Goshen), outside hitter Alex McPherson (Turpin) and setter/defensive specialist Ashley Gooch (Lumen Christi Catholic – Anchorage, Alaska).

Clermont faces their usual slate of tough opponents and has added two NAIA schools, West Virginia Tech and Alice Lloyd College, to their schedule.

The home portion of the schedule features many interesting events – including the UCC Volleyfest tri-match on Saturday, September 8 and the annual Cougar Classic/Volley for a Cure benefit tri-match on Sunday, September 16.

UC Clermont opens the season at home on Tuesday, August 21 vs. Miami University-Middletown.  Game time is 6 p.m. in the Student Activities Center. For more information about the Volleyball Team visit:

http://www.ucclermont.edu/athletics/WomensVolleyball.html