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PHCC makes history with first top 10 finish

By Times Staff
Published November 29, 2005

	[Times photos: Lance Aram Rothstein]
	Brittni Murphy had a team-high 165 assists to help PHCC place in the top 10 during the national tournament, the highest finish in school history.
	Paige Ely had 81 kills in the No. 10 Conquistadors' NJCAA championships run Nov. 21-23 in West Plains, Miss.

NEW PORT RICHEY - The seventh trip to nationals became the most rewarding in school history when the Pasco-Hernando Community College volleyball team cracked the top 10 for the first time.

The Conquistadors, 11th in 2001 and 2003, placed 10th in the National Junior College Athletic Association championships Nov. 21-23 at West Plains, Miss. That's two spots higher than last year's national finish.

"To me, I've always been able to look at things and celebrate improvement," PHCC second-year coach Kim Whitney said. "The program was able to improve a little bit. Those small successes, to me, are what keep me going."

PHCC split two matches on Nov. 21, losing 28-30, 14-30, 18-30 to Blinn (Texas) before defeating Cape Fear (N.C.) 30-25, 30-13, 30-20.

"After we lost our first match, a lot of (PHCC players) were disappointed," Whitney said. "They wanted to have the opportunity to go on the the elite 8."

Following the Blinn game, however, Whitney said her team "came out on fire" against Cape Fear. The Conquistadors were resourceful in the next game as well, a 29-31, 30-18, 30-24, 33-31 comeback win over Gadsden State (Ala.) to clinch at least 10th place.

PHCC bowed out of the tourney with Wednesday's 30-24, 23-30, 27-30, 20-30 loss to Salt Lake.

Brittni Murphy, Beth Slabaugh, Paige Ely, Heather Hansen and Amber Davidson were PHCC's statistical leaders at nationals.

Murphy had 165 assists with Slabaugh and Ely contributing 91 and 81 kills, respectively. Davidson chipped in with 55 digs and Hansen had 47 with 43 perfect passes.

Whitney said no one came through more than Ely, a sophomore outside hitter who missed most of last season due to a back injury.

"She definitely stepped it up in the state and national tournaments," Whitney said. "She improved immensely throughout the season."

The Conquistadors (32-11 overall including playoffs) won the Suncoast Conference title and Gulf District of the state tournament before losing to eight-time national champion Miami-Dade in the state final. Both finalists advanced to nationals.

Miami-Dade's run of eight straight national titles ended with a finals loss to Southern Idaho.

DOUBLING UP: Saint Leo men's basketball player Scott Seifert was named Sunshine State Conference and his school's athlete of the week.

The senior guard averaged 23 points and six rebounds as the Lions split two games. Seifert had 22 points and five rebounds in Wednesday's 97-86 loss to West Florida, adding 24 points and seven rebounds in an 84-71 win over Flagler Saturday.

The defeat of Flagler helped the Lions (3-3) snap a three-game losing streak.

In the West Florida game, George Eshesimua scored a career-high 21 and added seven rebounds; Michael Caulfield had 15 points and eight assists; J.J. Turner scored 14 and Richard Blue 10.

Eshesimua had 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds against Flagler, Eric Sharper scored 15 and Caulfield 12.

FIRST LOSS: The Saint Leo women's basketball team will not go unbeaten after all. Following a 3-0 start, the Lions lost Tuesday, 50-47 at Montevallo (Ala.).

Saint Leo, which blew a 33-23 halftime lead thanks to 18 turnovers after the break, was led by Marquita Fenn's 13 points and 12 rebounds.

[Last modified November 29, 2005, 02:15:28]