Timothy Moynihan
In Motion Staff Writer
This year’s volleyball season came to a close on Nov. 5 with the women of Daytona State College proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Finishing the season with a record of 17-11, only three years after they played their first season at the College, shows the strength and tenacity of a team still in its infancy, say supporters.
Spiking in at the top offensively is Madison Rogers, a sophomore from DSC, with 294 kills on the season. A kill (K) is awarded to a player any time an attack is unreturnable by the opposition and is a direct cause of the opponent not returning the ball, or any time the attack leads directly to a blocking error by the opposition. A kill leads directly to a point. When a player is awarded a kill, the player also is awarded an attack attempt. Rogers also broke the school record for kills in a single match with 35.
Setting up the team defensively with 392 digs this season was Yorelis Rios from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. What’s a dig? The job of a volleyball digger is to prevent the ball from hitting the floor after being spiked by the opposing team. To dig, the volleyball players must anticipate the spike and be prepared to quickly dive in any direction.
“This season we were a strong built team, an athletic team with a lot of ability. There was a cohesiveness among us that made a difference. We were communicative and energetic,” said Megan Miller, the team’s captain and a setter. “And we learned a lot from our coaches.”
“My favorite part of this season was the Sante Fe game. We needed to win 3 out five sets. We were down two sets and came back and won. That was good, definitely my favorite memory,” said Alexis Sharp, a middle-blocker.
A combination of national and international students make up the 16 women volleyball players who compete for the College, some of which have been named to the first team all conference. Emily DeStaffino of Oviedo, Tania Kottke Panketal of Germany and Madison Rogers of Deland all made the grade. For second team all conference Sandra Hovels of Germany made the cut. Panketal also made First Team All Region District 8.
All in all, the 2016 Women’s Volleyball Team improved its national standing from 21st in nation last year to rank 11th this year.