Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Colleges

Recruiting class has PHCC coach beaming

Classwork and a background at the club level were factors in recruiting, and Kim Whitney couldn't be more pleased.

By STEVE LEE
Published May 18, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Heading into her second season, Pasco-Hernando Community College volleyball coach Kim Whitney is giddy about her first recruits.

Having inherited the team as a replacement for Sam Cibrone (now Saint Leo's volleyball coach) less than a month before the start of last season, Whitney got what she wanted: six versatile players with club experience.

"All of them are excellent athletes," Whitney said. "All of them have good attitudes. I liked what I saw."

Aside from being competent at the sport, character and grades factored into the signings.

"I played the sport at a lot of levels, so I know you really do have to have a balance," said the former Kansas State and Clearwater Central Catholic standout who played professionally in the United States and Spain. "I didn't want to bring in a kid who's not good in the classroom."

Last season Whitney challenged her team to qualify for state and national tournaments. The Conquistadors (30-12) made nationals for the sixth time and were state finalists.

But the graduation of Ramona Criste, an all-state and all-region setter, left a void. Two of PHCC's six signees, Hernando's Brittni Murphy and Francie Borre of Brazil, play that position.

Murphy led Hernando to two district titles and two region semifinals. She also plays for the Tampa Bay Juniors, a club team that qualified for the Junior Olympics.

"She does all her skills well," Whitney said. "I really liked a lot of what I saw on the court with her. She has good choices she makes as a setter."

Erica Livengood, an outside hitter from Central and Florida Athletic Coaches Association all-star, also will play in the Junior Olympics for the Tampa Bay Juniors.

Hudson's Allyson Ray, who also plays for the Tampa Bay Sandspurs, is the other local signee. The middle blocker, an all-state player as a senior, set single-season school records for hitting (91 percent) and kills (311).

"She really has a demand for the ball," Whitney said. "She wants to put the ball away on the last play."

Rounding out the newcomers are teammates from Venice - Amber Davidson, a defensive specialist, and outside hitter Melissa Whitescarver. Both were instrumental on Venice's state finalist team.

[Last modified May 18, 2005, 00:50:19]