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Tampa volleyball coach Chris Catanach always has embraced the high expectations placed on his program.
Entering his 21st season, the 12-time Sunshine State Conference coach of the year predicts this season to be one of his greatest challenges yet. But Catanach isn't distracted by the expectations of others; they don't begin to compare to the pressures he places on himself.
"This is a year for me to get better," said Catanach, who has guided the Spartans to the NCAA Tournament in 18 of the past 20 seasons. "All my weaknesses will come out and I have to improve."
Is this the year Tampa's streak of eight consecutive SSC championships comes to a halt? Not if Catanach can help it. Though he would never be one to give in without a fight, Tampa might be looking at a rebuilding year. The graduation of All-America outside hitter Ania Ruiz and second team All-America setter Gretchen Naruta leaves the Spartans young and vulnerable.
"I'm motivated by what we've done in the past," Catanach said. "However there is that fear of dropping. You don't want to go backwards. We have to do it at some point but we've been lucky not to do it yet. Is this the year? I don't know."
"If I said this was a year we were competing for a national championship, my players wouldn't buy it and it wouldn't be fair. Does that mean I'm going to quit on the season? No. Our goal is to make the NCAA Tournament; that's realistic."
This season presents a different approach for the veteran coach, one which he refers to as the "most enjoyable" of his tenure far. With six freshmen, four sophomores and three juniors, Catanach must groom a young team. Last year's squad used chemistry and experience to peak at the end of the year and upset rival Barry in the region final.
Barry, who shared the conference title with Tampa last season, was picked to win the SSC this year and returns conference Player of the Year Fernanda Brino. Tampa was picked to finish second. The Spartans host the highly anticipated first meeting on Oct. 2.
Tampa has won five in a row after a loss to Truman State in the opener. Outside hitter Stephanie Rivera earned SSC Player of the Week for helping the Spartans to victories over No. 23 Wheeling Jesuit and Edinboro on Aug. 28. She averaged 4.6 kills per game, recorded 19 digs and had five blocks. Tampa travels to Jacksonville on Saturday to face North Florida.
FITZ DEBUTS WITH WIN: Gregg Emmermann's header in the 29th minute helped the men's soccer team defeat Webber 1-0 on Wednesday night, marking the return of coach Tom Fitzgerald to Pepin Stadium after eight years away. Making his first collegiate start, keeper Mike Devore (Armwood) recorded three saves in the shutout.
Women's goalkeeper Shannon Aitken was named SSC Defensive Player of the Week after shutout victories against Wingate (4-0) and Belmont Abbey (2-0) last week. Aitken, who played for Land O'Lakes High last year, has gone 180 minutes without giving up a goal.