Clermont College volleyball team wins two conferences and the Ohio state championship

The University of Cincinnati Clermont College women’s volleyball team earned the first championship recognized in the Ohio College Athletic Conference (OCAC). This is the first championship awarded in any sport in this conference that is in its first year of existence.

A 25-9, 25-15, 25-19 victory over the Southern State Community College Patriots assured the Clermont countians of the first place laurels.

The Cougars are 22-3 overall and finished 7-0 in the OCAC.

The members of the OCAC are, in addition to Clermont College, Clark State Community College (Springfield) Eagles, Ohio Christian University (Circleville) Trailblazers, Ohio State University - Mansfield Mavericks, Ohio State University - Marion Scarlet Wave, Southern State Community College (Portsmouth) Patriots, Temple Baptist College (Cincinnati) Rams, and World Harvest Bible College (Canal Winchester) no known team name.

The sports sponsored by the OCAC are women's volleyball, men's soccer, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's baseball, women's fast pitch softball, and golf.

UC Clermont remains a member of the Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC).

The members of the ORCC are Miami University - Hamilton Harriers, Miami University - Middletown Thunder Hawks, Ohio State University - Mansfield Mavericks, Ohio State University - Marion Scarlet Wave, Ohio University - Chillicothe Hilltoppers, Ohio University - Lancaster Cougars, and Ohio University - Lima Barons.

Season Results

Southern State Community College (win) 25-13, 25-11, 25-16. Penn State-Beaver Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Rochester College - loss 18-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20; Penn State-Fayette - win 25-14, 25-14, 26-28, 25-21; Penn State-Beaver - win 26-24, 25-15, 25-14). University of Cincinnati Clermont College Volleyfest (Ohio University-Lancaster - win 25-13, 25-16, 28-26; Ohio State University -Mansfield - win 25-13, 25-9, 25-12). Clark State Community College (win) 25-17, 25-16, 25-12. Ohio Christian University (win) 25-15, 25-17, 25-8. Ohio University - Chillicothe (win) 26-24, 25-13, 25-16. Cougar Classic (Clark State Community College - win 25-12, 25-13, 25-8; Ohio State University-Marion - win 25-23, 13-25, 25-20, 25-21). Miami University - Middletown (win) 20-25, 23-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-11. Miami University - Hamilton (win) 25-19, 25-19, 25-20. Central State University (win) 25-15, 25-9, 25-18. Ohio State University - Lima (win) 25-11, 25-7, 15-18. Ohio University - Chillicothe (win) 25-17, 25-17, 25-15. Southern State Community College (win) 25-9, 25-15, 25-19. Defiance College (loss) 25-22, 25-13, 25-14. Transylvania University (loss) 25-19, 25-20, 25-23. Miami University - Middletown (win) 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 29-27. Miami University - Hamilton (win) 27-25, 25-17, 26-24.

One of the most impressive victories came over Central State University. Central State is an NCAA Division II member and the Cougars' win marks the second time Clermont College has defeated an NCAA Division II school.

Following the most recent win over Miami - Middletown, the jersey of senior middle hitter Kelley Koons was retired prior to the game. A replica jersey now hangs in the Cougardome (Student Activity Center).

The most recent triumph over Miami - Hamilton clinched the Cougars their sixth consecutive ORCC regular season championship.

The Clermont women's volleyball team is the first to win two different collegiate conference crowns in the same season - the ORCC and the OCAC.

Roster

Rachel Hays (freshman, Amelia High School graduate), Lynn Abbinante (sophomore, Western Brown High School graduate), Lauren Bradford (sophomore, Norwood High School graduate), Courtney Davis (freshman, Western Brown High School graduate), Rachel Ferguson (freshman, Norwood High School graduate), Erica Hoctor (junior, Turpin High School graduate), Kelley Koons (senior, Miamisburg High School graduate), Jaimie Martin (junior, Turpin High School gruduate), Sarah Shumate (sophomore, Lawrence County, Tn., High School graduate), Jaci Stewart (junior, Blanchester High School graduate), and Cindy Votel (sophomore, Bellevue, Ky., High School graduate).

Coaching staff

The head coach is Joe Harpring.

The assistant coach is Whitney Brown, a Williamsburg High School graduate, and the graduate assistant is Meagan Ooten, a Felicity High School graduate.

The academic advisor is Peggy Hager, an associate professor of mathematics and a Glen Este High School graduate.

All three Clermont County ladies on the coaching staff are members of the University of Cincinnati Clermont College's Athletic Hall of Fame.