Volleyball Sweep South Florida State

Volleyball Sweep South Florida State
October 4, 2024

Avon Park, Fla - The SCF volleyball team (2-7, 2-7 Sun Lakes) were able to secure their first sweep in conference play as they shutout South Florida State (2-10, 1-10 Sun Lakes) 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-20).

"I thought we did great," said sophomore Jaycie Sheean. "We really came together with what we had and killed it. A sweep is definitely what we needed. We've struggled this season with closing sets, so this match was a huge confidence booster. We have to keep the same focus and discipline when we face Palm Beach State tomorrow."
 
"I thought the team did very well," said freshman Natalie Schwenk. "Even though it got close at the end, we stuck together and pushed each other to win as a team. Getting a sweep over South Florida State felt amazing. After only having one win under our belts, securing a second win was a wonderful feeling. I'm hoping it motivates us to push through the rest of the season and take every step we need.
 
All three sets were high scoring with the Manatees continually taking aces by Sheean and freshmen Aryanna Spainhower and Johaliz Colon. Upon the second set, the Panthers tried to creep up and tie the set at 25 apiece, but back-to-back kills by Sheean and freshman Adasyn Konopka helped the second set for the Manatees.
 
Heading into the third and final set, the Panthers would once again try to break the Manatees' spirit of taking the match in three sets, but with one final push and final kill by freshman Sabrina Calhoun seal the sweep and the series win over the Panthers.
 
Spainhower would lead the way offensively as she finished with a double-double of 12 kills and 14 digs to go along with an ace and one block, while Sheean tied Spainhower with a career-high 12 kills, one aces, five digs and one block.
 
"Switching to the outside from being a right-side hitter all season was a big change," said Sheean. "Nevertheless, I've been executing fairly well and I'm really pleased with how I played today."
 
Shoemaker and freshman Ericka Freeman rounded out the order with six kills each. Shoemaker lead the way in front row defense with four blocks, three digs and one ace, while Freeman had two blocks and three digs.
 
In setting, Konopka secured her first collegiate double-double of 28 assists and 10 digs to go along with two kills and one ace.
 
In back row defense, apart from Spainhower's digs, sophomore Katrina Tallo lead the way with 15 digs, two blocks and one kill, while freshman Natalie Schwenk had 13 digs and classmate Johaliz Colon had 10 digs, three assists and two aces.
 
"I felt very confident in my play today," said Schwenk on her performance. "Even though I had a couple of missed balls, having my teammates as well as coach giving me positive motivation really pushed me to do better for them all."
 
Calhoun (four kills, two aces, one assists, five digs and two blocks) and freshmen Sarah Stouky (one assist and nine digs) and Nora Leonard (two digs) also contributed in the match.
 
Sun Lakes Conference Standings:
1. #7 Gulf Coast State (14-2, 8-0)
2. RV Palm Beach State (12-3, 7-2)
3. #10 Pensacola State (13-4, 7-2)
4. St. John's River State (13-8, 5-2)
5. Pasco Hernando State (7-10, 6-3)
6. St. Pete (7-6, 5-4)
7. Indian River State (9-7, 5-5)
8. Lake Sumter State (7-7, 2-6)
9. SCF (2-7, 2-7)
10. Florida State College at Jacksonville (5-13, 1-8)
11. South Florida State (2-10, 1-10)
 
Up Next:
The Manatees will wrap up their three-game road trip as they travel to Lake Worth to take on RV Palm Beach State (12-3, 7-2 Sun Lakes)  at the Elisabeth W. Erling Gymnasium Saturday afternoon, October 5 at 1 pm.