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Plenty of fresh faces on tap this season for Conquistadors

By MIKE TOMPKINS
Published August 30, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - After 14 consecutive Suncoast Conference titles and seven consecutive appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament, winning has sort of become second nature for Pasco-Hernando Community College.

Last season, the Conquistadors finished 32-11 (8-2 in the conference) and won a regional title, and their 10th-place finish in the NJCAA tournament was their highest ever. PHCC even pushed perennial power and nine-time national champion Miami-Dade Community College to the brink, losing a five-game match to the Sharks in the Florida Community College Activities Association state final.

But in only her third season, coach Kim Whitney has experienced only a small part of the Conquistadors' success. And by defeating Miami-Dade in the regular season for the first time in school history, the reigning conference Coach of the Year got a taste of what the future could hold.

"Last year (in defeating Miami-Dade) we took a small step," Whitney said. "But it was a step in the right direction. But each year is a different team. It's a new year. We can only focus on our conference ... if we can't win our conference, then there's no way we can make it to the national tournament."

PHCC has to replace the 827 kills provided last year by the now-departed Beth Slabaugh (506) and Paige Ely (321).

But the duo's departure gives opportunity to a slew of talented freshmen, who account for 10 of the 15 roster slots. Included in the new group is 2005 Times all-county and third-team all-state selection Caitlin Morrison, who led Pasco County last season with 396 kills. Morrison is battling for playing time at middle hitter with fellow incoming freshman De'Creisha Arrington and sophomore Allyson Ray (Hudson), who last season led the Conquistadors with 136 blocks.

Freshman and former Land O'Lakes standout Hannah Newhall also is in the mix, battling for playing time at libero with sophomore Amber Davidson. Davidson, the incumbent, led the state with 638 digs last season and was an all-Suncoast second-team selection.

Sophomore captain Brittni Murphy is the key returnee. The setter led the state with 1,424 assists last season, joining Davidson on the all-Suncoast second team. Competing with her is Fernanda Neves, a freshman from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Fellow freshman and Brazil native Ana Lucena (Belo Horizonte) is competing with sophomore Erica Livengood for the right-side hitter slot, while freshmen Jessica Schachleiter and Danielle Heisler are competing for the outside hitter position.

The Conquistadors prepared for the season with a preseason tournament at Webber International, sandwiching a three-game loss to Indian River Community College in between victories against Brevard and Webber. They open the season on Friday at Florida College.

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 06:40:34]