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Colleges

Conquistadors enter state in familiar role

By STEVE LEE
Published November 3, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco-Hernando Community College has earned a top district seed in the state volleyball tournament.

That has been a given for the past six seasons. Also predictable is the Conquistadors' annual runnerup finish to Miami-Dade, which has won eight consecutive national titles.

Today, however, the focus is on St. Petersburg College in the first round of the state tournament at Florida Southern in Lakeland. PHCC (27-9) plays at 1 p.m. against a team it split two matches with this season.

A third Suncoast Conference team, Manatee, also is in the Gulf District with the winner of that group squaring off against the Atlantic District winner at 2 p.m. Saturday for the championship.

"Whoever's consistent the longest can ride it all the way through to the end," second-year PHCC coach Kim Whitney said.

PHCC had won 13 consecutive conference titles before Manatee ended that streak last season. PHCC regained its title this year.

"We just have a little more confidence going into (the state tournament)," Whitney said. "We've just got to focus on each match. Last year, we came in second (in the conference), and we felt like we had something to prove. Right now, that doesn't matter."

Sophomore setter Beth Slabaugh, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury, leads the Conquistadors and made the all-conference first team.

All-conference second-teamers Brittni Murphy (Hernando), Amber Davidson, Paige Ely, Graciliana Silva and Micque Parker also helped PHCC land the top seed in the Gulf District.

Slabaugh leads PHCC in kills (413) and hitting attacks (1,122). Murphy is the assist leader (1,223), and Davidson leads in digs (531).

Two players who did not earn postseason honors lead in other categories. Allyson Ray (Hudson) has 121 blocks, and Nicole Patton has a .778 hitting percentage.

[Last modified November 3, 2005, 01:07:13]