SMCC Beach Volleyball Places Fourth at Inaugural NJCAA Championships
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College beach volleyball team placed fourth at the inaugural NJCAA National Championships on April 20-22 at Hickory Point Beach Park in Tavares, Fla. The Cougars went 3-1 over their first four matches to advance to the Final Four and finished the season with a 13-15 overall record.
SMCC opened the tournament with 3-2 wins over 10th-seeded State College of Florida and second-seeded Richard Bland College (VA) on April 20 to advance out of the group. The Cougars defeated Bryant & Stratton (VA) 3-1 to guarantee a spot in the Final Four before falling 3-0 to Lake Sumter State College (FL) on April 21.
In the Final Four, SMCC fell 3-0 to eventual National Champion Palm Beach State (FL) and 3-1 to Lake Sumter State College (FL) in the third-place match.
SMCC head coach Patrick Mooney was thrilled with the Cougars' performance and proud of the team for representing the school so well. The team received plaudits from the tournament director for their effort and class at the event.
"It was an incredible trip & experience for the team! We saved our best volleyball of the season for this tourney & played every team with every ounce of grit & determination we could find," said Mooney. "From an at-large bid to a fourth-place national finish, I could not be more proud. SMCC should be proud of the outstanding representation our team put forth. We must thank SMCC Director of Athletics Todd Eastin, head athletic trainer Angela Calicchio, Mesa CC assistant AD Sherman Forbes, the SMCC athletic department, the SMCC faculty, and our amazing parents for raising such wonderful young women."
Freshmen Nichole Gary and Rylee Pitts went 3-2 as the No. 3 pairs over the weekend, defeating State College of Florida, Richard Bland College (VA), and Bryant & Stratton College (VA). The duo finished the year with a team-best 17 wins and were 17-12 overall, all as the No. 3 pairs.
Sophomore Emily Wilson and freshman Daisy Motes finished 2-3 over the weekend as the No. 2 pairs and defeated State College of Florida and Lake Sumter State College (FL) to finish the season with a 9-17 record. Individually, Wilson and Motes finished the year 11-18.
Freshmen Alexa Wasil and Emee Fellens were 3-2 as the Cougars' No. 4 pairs. The duo defeated State College of Florida, Richard Bland College (VA), and Bryant & Stratton College (VA) to finish 5-9 as a duo. Individually, Wasil was 12-15, while Fellens was 14-12 for the year.
Freshman Shandi Allison and Hayden Rosales finished 2-3 as the No. 5 pairs over the weekend. They downed Richard Bland College (VA) and Bryant & Stratton (VA) to finish 3-4 as a duo. Individually, Allison went 13-14, and Rosales was 3-5 for the year.
Sophomore Kristine Garcia and freshman Amaya Evans finished 0-4 as the No. 1 pairs to finish the year 4-21.
State College of Florida Results (April 20)
- Garcia/Evans: L, 21-15, 25-23
- Wilson/Motes: W, 21-8, 21-13
- Pitts/Gary: W, 5-21, 21-18, 15-10
- Wasil/Fellens: W, 16-21, 21-19, 15-10
- Allison/Rosales: L, 21-13, 18-21, 15-11
Richard Bland College (VA) Resilts (April 20)
- Garcia/Evans: L, 21-15, 21-19
- Motes/Wilson: L, 21-18, 26-24
- Pitts/Gary: W, 21-13, 21-19
- Wasil/Fellens: W, 21-13, 23-25, 15-12
- Allison/Rosales: W, 21-18, 21-17
Bryant & Stratton (VA) Results (April 21)
- Garcia/Evans: L, 21-15, 21-18
- Not Finished
- Pitts/Gary: W, 21-16, 21-15
- Wasil/Fellens: W, 21-10, 21-18
- Allison/Rosales: W, 21-13, 21-14
Lake Sumter State College (FL) Results (April 21)
- Not Finished
- Wilson/Motes: L, 21-15, 21-18
- Not Finished
- Wasil/Fellens: L, 21-12, 21-13
- Allison/Rosales: L, 21-13, 21-12
Palm Beach State (FL) Results (April 22)
- Garcia/Evans: L, 21-16, 21-14
- Wilson/Motes: L, 21-18, 21-11
- Pitts/Gary: L, 21-11, 21-13
- Not Finished
- Not Finished
Lake Sumter State College (FL) Results (April 22)
- Not Finished
- Wilson/Motes: W, 21-14, 21-19
- Pitts/Gary: L, 21-18, 18-21, 15-13
- Wasil/Fellens: L, 21-15, 21-14
- Allison/Rosales: L, 23-21, 21-19
