Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
ANTHONY GAGLIANOThree returning offensive threats join new coach in defense of PHCC's Suncoast title.
The names and faces, but not the expectations, continue to change for Pasco-Hernando Community College. The Conquistadors have a tight grip on the Suncoast Conference championship, having won all 13, and earned their fifth straight trip to the NJCAA Tournament in 2003.
Even without coach Sam Cibrone and 12 of the 15 members of last year's team, big things are expected.
It starts at the top with new coach Kim Whitney. A coach in Cibrone's Sandspurs AAU program, Whitney never has coached at the high school or college level, but the former Clearwater Central Catholic star and Kansas State Wildcat brings plenty of top-level experience. After appearing in three NCAA Tournaments while a four-year starter at K-State, Whitney went on to play for the U.S. National team from 2000-2002.
In addition to keeping the victories coming, Whitney could make her mark by helping PHCC finally break through at the state and national tourneys. The Conquistadors have finished second six times at the state tournament, all thanks to Miami-Dade, and never have been able to win their opening-round game at nationals to earn a place in the top eight. Ranked ninth last year, the team lost to Arizona Western in the first round and went 1-2 to finish the season 37-9.
The three members back from that squad were key contributors, including two of the top three offensive threats. Beth Slabaugh led the team in kills with more than 10 a match a year ago, and middle blocker Leah Schmiedge finished third on the team in offense. On top of her 397 kills, Schmiedge had 234 blocks in her dominant freshman season.
Schmiedge and Slabaugh were among six Conquistadors on the all-conference squad a year ago, when PHCC owned six of the 12 spots. Slabaugh also made the all-state tourney team, picking up 57 kills in four matches.
Wesley Chapel's Angela Medvid completes half the starting lineup, filling in at right-side hitter.
The biggest hole to fill is at setter, where sophomore Ramona Criste from Romania and freshman Micque Parker are in the running to replace Suncoast Player of the Year Alicia Willemet.
Depth abounds at outside hitter thanks to a deep freshman class. Land O'Lakes supplied PHCC talented hitters in Melissa White and April Slate, three-sport stars for the Gators. As seniors, White earned honorable-mention all-county and Slate was second-team All-Pasco and honorable-mention All-Suncoast. Former Gulf Buccaneer Natalie Medders is on board, and the team has more options in freshman Paige Ely and sophomore Rafaella Maranhao from Recife, Brazil, home of former USF stars Michelle Collier and Ale Domingos.
Heather Hansen gives PHCC a steady backline presence at libero, and fellow freshman Melissa Hale adds depth at defensive specialist.