PHCC seeks a national playoff berth

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 1, 2001

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Being a state runner-up to Miami-Dade Community College and earning a national playoff bid are becoming habit-forming for the Pasco-Hernando Community College volleyball team.

That finish has occurred the past two seasons, and Conquistadors coach Sam Cibrone doesn't expect anything different this time around. By Friday's conclusion of the Florida Community College Athletic Association State Tournament, he predicts his squad and Miami-Dade, No. 1 in the nation, will be the only ones standing.

"We're a lot more inexperienced than last year," Cibrone said.

PHCC is relying on healthy sophomore Cat Cline, and "Miami-Dade is just as strong as they always are," Cibrone said.

"I'm hoping we can just play our game and get to the finals and advance to the nationals," he said. "I'm not doubting our team, but if we get to the finals, I'll be excited."

The three-day, double-elimination series hosted by Brevard Community College at the Titusville campus begins todayand includes the state's top eight teams.

Pasco-Hernando is in the Gulf District, and Miami-Dade plays in the Atlantic District. The district champions meet in Friday's tournament final.

The Suncoast Conference champion Conquistadors (26-8) play Suncoast runner-up Hillsborough Community College (14-17) at 1 p.m. in today's opening round. That match follows an 11 a.m. meeting between St. Petersburg College (10-12), third in the Suncoast Conference, and Panhandle Conference champion Pensacola Junior College (22-10).

The field includes Florida Community College (Jacksonville), Lake Sumter Community College and Palm Beach Community College.

PHCC is led by Cline and three freshmen.

Cline, a defensive specialist, is tops for the Conquistadors in digs (356).

The other leaders are middle blocker Erin Stoen (289 kills, 78 blocks), outside hitter Quinn Davidson (48 aces) and middle blocker Nicole Cattrysse (.353 hitting percentage).

HALL OF FAMER: Gulf boys soccer coach Sam Koleduk, who remains the most prolific player at Saint Leo, has been elected to the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame.

An All-American in 1993 and '94, Koleduk will be inducted Feb. 28 during the Hall of Fame/Honors Banquet in Melbourne.

"He was quite an offensive machine," said Fran Reidy, Saint Leo's athletic director and the men's soccer coach.

"I was totally surprised when I learned of this honor," said Koleduk, who played for the then-Monarchs during the 1990-94 seasons, making the all-conference and All-South Region teams four times.

Koleduk, inducted into the Saint Leo Hall of Fame last year, owns single-season school records for goals (34), points (77), shots (100) and multiple-goal games (11), and career marks for goals (77), total points (187), shots (326) and multiple-goal games (21).

TWO FIFTHS: The Saint Leo men's and women's cross country teams each finished fifth in the SSC Championships.

Scott Habershaw (Land O'Lakes) placed the highest at 13th -- 36 minutes, 34 seconds in the 10,000-meter run.

Mary Beth Morrison had the top finish for the Saint Leo women, placing 29th -- 30:38 in the 6,000-meter run.

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