Bradenton, Fla - After being out of state for the first time since 2014, the SCF volleyball team (2-4) return back to Florida to wrap up their eight-match road trip as they travel one and a half hour towards New Port Richey for a tri-match. The Manatees will face host Trinity College of Florida and Johnson University - Florida at the New Port Richey Recreational and Aquatic Center Friday afternoon, August 26 at 2 pm (vs Trinity) and 4:30 pm (vs Johnson University - Florida).
Last Time Out:
The Manatees are coming off of opening the season out of state as they traveled to Rockford, Illinois for the NJCAA Opening Weekend Tournament. There, they claimed wins over Illinois Central (3-1) and Ancilla College at Marian University (3-0) while falling in tight matches against #16 Hawkeye CC (3-2), Moraine Valley CC (3-2) and #1 Parkland College (3-1). They would also fall to #11 Grand Rapids CC (3-0).
It was the first time since 2014 that the Manatees traveled to another state for a tournament outside of Florida (2014, NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in Casper, Wyoming).
Pillow Fight Block Party:
Freshman Shelby 'Shelbow' Pillow has lead a strong defense with a strong offense through the first six matches of the season. Pillow leads with 17 blocks (nine solo) and 48 kills.
French Phenoms:
Sophomore Lana Sandanom leads the entire offense with 59 kills and seven blocks (two solo). Against Ancilla College, Sandanom set and then surpassed her career-high with 16 kills.
Classmate Lison Stoffel also set her career-high in assists against Parkland College with 26. Stoffel has 32 assists and 27 digs in her name so far this season.
McGee on Defense:
Sophomore Shelby 'Shelee' McGee leads the backrow side of the defense as she leads with 110 digs and 15 assists. McGee, who played as an outsider hitter last season, transitioned that role to libero to gain a better opportunity.
In fact, during the first two matches, she set and reset a career-high in digs (28, original career-high vs Moraine Valley; 29, current career-high vs Hawkeye CC) and as a result she was named to the FCSAA 25 Dig Club twice and the first Manatee to reach it since Giulia Rodrigues did during the spring 2021 season (3/9/21 vs St. Pete).
Steinert Sets it Up:
Freshman Kendall Steinert played a strong role in all six matches as the starting setter and on the service line. Steinert currently has 156 assists, 35 digs and 13 aces.
Personal Opinion- Honestly, Steinert reminds me of current FGCU setter Chelsea Lockey. The fact that Steinert and Lockey are similar in style on their setting is quite amazing.
Southwest Hybrid Style*:
Freshman Isabella 'Bella' Rebimbas has brought a noise to the Manatees as a hybrid player. Rebimbas, a graduate of Barron Collier High School, played in all six matches in the NJCAA Opening Weekend Tournament as she has 30 kills, 76 digs and four blocks.
*Side Note: A hybrid in this term is a player that plays a key role on the offensive and defensive side.
Debuts:
Aside from the debuts of Pillow, Steinert and Rebimbas, sophomore Kat McCall and freshmen Rachel Carroll, Caelen Cook, Haylee Rhoads, Bailey Perry, Rhea Kohl, Emily Lyons and Kloe Pinto also made their debuts for the Manatees. McCall joined the team after transferring from Penn State University - Beaver (USCAA).
Scouting Trinity College of Florida:
Trinity College of Florida is located in Trinity, Florida and represent the NCCAA (National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association) and are lead by head coach Rachel Noble, who enters her 11th season as head coach.
The Tigers are coming off of finishing their previous season (2020) 5-11 overall with a 4-5 record in conference play. They decided to opt out of the the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key possible returners for the Tigers include Madison Furtado (153 kills, 22 aces and 188 digs) and Makayla Fassnacht (134 kills and 30 blocks)
Last season, the Manatees were schedule to play Trinity, but the match was ultimately cancelled.
Scouting Johnson University - Florida:
Johnson University - Florida hails from Kissimmee, Florida and also represent the NCCAA. They are lead by second-year head coach Yanira Abreu, who is the reigning NCCAA DII Region Coach of the Year.
The Lady Suns are coming off of a 5-12 record overall from last season with a 5-5 record in conference play before falling the NCCAA South Region Tournament.
Key returners for the Suns include rising senior Emi Weekly (175 kills, 131 digs, 25 blocks) and rising sophomore Johanlly Sosa (249 kills, 16 aces, 216 digs and 18 blocks). Sosa led the nation in kills and points (278.5 points) while being named Freshman of the Year and NCCAA Second Team All-American with Weekly.
How to Keep Up:
The matches will likely air on Trinity College of Florida's Facebook or YouTube Page. Fans can also keep up with the Manatees on all social media platforms.
Instagram: @volleyball_SCF
Twitter: @SCFVolleyball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCFvolleyball
Possible Livestream Links:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/trinitycollegefl
YoutTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TrinityCollegeofFlorida/featured
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