Preps

Hillsborough CC volleyball's common ground is common goal

By DAVID NORRIE, Times Correspondent
Published October 25, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough Community College volleyball coach Gary Larkin is also a writing and English literature instructor, so it seemed fitting for him to ask his players to begin keeping a journal when they gathered for practice before this season.

He asked them to jot down personal and team goalsas they embarked on the task ahead. The 2006 FCCAA coach of the year said he recently asked his players to go see what they had written. The common theme: repeat as state champions and return to the NJCAA national tournament.

But communicating ideas isn't always easy when it comes to the Hawks.

"I've always recruited in Puerto Rico, and with that sometimes comes problems with players who speak little English," Larkin said. "It's a challenge for all of us, but I mix up roommates and ask everybody to pitch in and learn."

For co-captain Yamari Padilla-Collazo, it's not only the language that differs, but the style of play. She says in Puerto Rico, where volleyball is introduced to many girls in elementary school, it's a more aggressive game in which a setter, like herself, tries to set each player with her preferred ball so she can "just rip it." In the States she says you set the same ball for every player, and the game is played with a more technical aspect.

Being bilingual, Padilla-Collazo often is called upon to translate when communication breaks down.

"It can be frustrating when you have a lot to say and don't know how to say it," she said. "Making calls on the court isn't the difficult part, it's dealing with emotions and directions that sometimes presents a challenge."

The challenge for Larkin is not only a language barrier but that he has his players for two years. From Day 1, he tried to relate a sense of urgency, reminding his team that if it wants to get back to nationals, there is no time for complacency.

Since a 13-0 start to the season, the Hawks (20-5, 8-2) have split with their biggest rivals, Pasco-Hernando Community College and St. Petersburg College, earning one of the top three spots in their conference, which entitles them to a spot at the FCCAA/NJCAA Region 8 state tournament beginning Nov. 1.

"We're building the team now for the second season," sophomore co-captain Brittany Wilson said. "This is a very strong-willed group of players and we're setting the tone for states.

"You have to be aggressive when you come into this program. If one of us messes up, somebody will call you out and say, 'Correct it, and get over it.' "

Larkin says having Wilson is like having a second coach on the floor. She won a state championship while at Durant and now coaches a 12-and-under club team.

With a solid group of sophomores returning from last year's team and a new group of freshman talent, Larkin thinks this team is ready to make another push toward nationals.

University of Tampa volleyball

The Spartans remained the top-ranked team in the Division II coaches poll after sweeping three games from both North Alabama and Montevallo last weekend.

Senior Erin Clark led UT with 17 kills against North Alabama in a rematch of last season's D-II national championship game. She added 11 against Montevallo, second to teammate Kaleigh Cunningham, who had a team-high 13.

Soccer

With four wins over top-25 teams this season, women's soccer had climbed as high as No. 2 in the NSCAA/Adidas top 25. But the Spartans (13-2-1, 5-1) fell from No. 3 to 22 recently after slipping up at home with a 1-0 loss to No. 19 Saint Leo on Oct. 17. The Lions jumped to No. 9 in the poll.

[Last modified October 24, 2007, 22:48:34]