UC Clermont Volleyball Opens Season with Sweep

The UC Clermont volleyball team got the 2013 season off to a successful start as they swept a pair of high-level opponents during the weekend.

One of the strengths of the 2013 Cougars is the depth they possess, but little did anyone know that depth would be tested right away. Due to injuries, Clermont used a shuffled rotation in their initial games. This depth definitely passed the test.

Clermont opened their season at home against a top flight opponent – Ohio Christian University. UC Clermont Dean Greg Sojka and Assistant Dean Rajiv Soman started the evening by hitting the ceremonial first serves prior to the match. The action reached a fever pitch at that point. Momentum shifted many times as Ohio Christian took an early lead and won the first set, 25-22. The Cougars then pulled back and won sets two and three by 27-25, 25-15 scores. Ohio Christian returned the favor in set four 25-14 and had an early lead in the fifth and deciding set before Clermont rallied for the 15-12 win.

The Trailblazer defense was effective in holding Clermont to a .134 team hitting percentage, but the Cougars’ blocking and serving made the difference in the victory.

After the thrilling first evening, the Cougars hit the road for the four hour trip to Montgomery, W.Va., and a matchup with West Virginia Tech. Tech is a dual United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) member.

The teams battled closely for most of the first set, before Clermont pulled away at the end, 25-20. At that point, Clermont’s offense kicked into another gear. A sizzling .492 team hitting percentage and several timely blocks helped the Cougars take the next two sets and the match, 25-17, 25-16. Clermont also registered nine service aces in the win.

Fresh off a weekend sweep of two strong opponents, the UC Clermont volleyball team got some more good news as sophomore middle hitter Heather Rowland was named United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Player of the Week.

Rowland, from Norwood High School, made significant contributions to the team in the first weekend of the season. Her achievements included a seven service ace, 11 dig performance in a win over Ohio Christian University – a team which qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship tournament in 2012. 

Rowland also appeared in the top five in several statistical categories in the first USCAA report of the 2013 season. 

UC Clermont’s next home game is Friday, Sept. 6 – as the Cougars host West Virginia Tech at 6 p.m.

For more information about the UC Clermont Volleyball Team visit:

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