SCF VB Wraps Up Regular Season

Bradenton, Fla - Following their completion of non-conference play, the SCF volleyball team (12-7, 5-6 Sun Lakes, 4-2 South Division) will look to focus on wrapping up the regular season in Sun Lakes Conference play with their final home matches of the regular season at Hal Chasey Gymnasium. The Manatees will welcome Pasco Hernando State (12-8, 7-4 Sun Lakes South) Wednesday night, October 18 at 6 pm before welcoming Palm Beach State (5-15, 5-6 Sun Lakes South) Saturday afternoon, October 21 at 3 pm.

Sun Lakes Conference Standings:
North - 
1. #6 Pensacola State (23-1, 11-0, 6-0)*
2. #16 Gulf Coast State (14-4, 9-2, 5-1)
3. Lake Sumter State (12-19, 7-6, 3-5)
4. St. John's River State (19-12, 6-6, 2-5)
5. Florida State College at Jacksonville (8-12, 3-7, 0-5) e

South - 
1. Pasco Hernando State (12-8, 7-4, 5-1)
2. SCF (12-7, 5-6, 4-2)
3. Palm Beach State (5-15, 5-6, 3-3)
4. South Florida State (6-9, 4-8, 3-3)
5. St. Pete (3-13, 1-11, 1-6) e

Last Time Out:
The Manatees are coming off of completing their final non-conference matches at home where they shutout Trinity College of Florida 3-0 and defeated Webber International University JV 3-1 in a tri-match before shutting out Ave Maria University JV 3-0. They are currently second in the south division behind Pasco Hernando. Additionally, the Manatees' overall record while winning more matches than losing is their best since 2014.

Playoff Scenario:
The Manatees can secure a spot in the FCSAA DII Volleyball Tournament. In order for them to secure sole possession of first place in the south division, they must defeat Pasco Hernando State and Palm Beach State. Additionally, if they defeat Pasco Hernando State and Palm Beach State, then they would be named the Sun Lakes South Division Regular Season Champions. 

As far as which teams are likely to go, #6 Pensacola State is likely going to be the #1 seed in the state tournament. #16 Gulf Coast State will also most likely be in the tournament.

St. Pete College and Florida State College at Jacksonville have already been eliminated from playoff contention due to the conference records.


Sophomore Soundoff:
In the season finale against Palm Beach State, the match will be dubbed as 'sophomore day' for nine sophomores on the team: Bailee Perry, Kloe Pinto, Amee Beedle, Rachel Carroll, Isabella Rebimbas, Shelby Pillow, Caelan Cook, Katie Keefe and Emily Lyons.

Since returning from injury last year, Perry has progressed well in her playing. The Sebastian native currently has 75 kills, 15 aces, 111 digs and 11 blocks. In her career, she is listed at #48 on the program list in digs. In her last three matches, Perry had a combined 29 kills, six aces and 25 digs, which included her first double-double of the season of 12 kills and 12 digs against Ave Maria University JV.

Pinto. has increased her playing since transitioning to the role as a defensive specialist and libero. The Jacksonville native currently has 47 digs, 11 assists and nine aces so far this season. In the match against Trinity College of Florida, she came off of a career-high 13 digs.

Since transferring from Vincennes University in Indiana, Beedle has become one of the key role players for back row defense. The native of Wheaton, Illinois currently has 60 kills, 14 aces, 119 digs and 10 blocks this season. Throughout her collegiate career, which includes her two seasons with Vincennes University, she has compiled a combined 285 kills, 48 aces, 28 blocks and 608 digs.

Since becoming a starting libero, Carroll has increased her role and stats along the way this season. Currently, the product of Sarasota High School has 24 assists and 114 digs. In her career, she ranks #37 in the program in career digs (292).

Rebimbas, the hybrid player of the team, currently has 68 kills and 62 digs this season. She is currently ranked #37 on the team in career kills (258) and #28 in career digs (353). In the last three matches, the Naples native had a combined 32 kills, eight aces and 34 digs, which included a double-double in the match against Webber International JV (her fourth in her career).

Pillow, who is the lead blocker of the team, currently has 59 kills and 19 blocks this season. In her last three matches, the native of Athens, Georgia had a combined 29 kills (including a season-high 11 against Webber International JV) and five blocks. 

In her career with the Manatees, Pillow has 231 kills and 92 blocks. Her 92 blocks are ranked tied #11 in the program. She will need one more to surpass Adelene Jideofor (92, 2020-21) and reach the top 10. In fact, she is eight blocks away from becoming the 10th player to reach 100 career blocks.

Cook currently has 89 kills, 69 digs and 16 blocks in her name so far. The native of Indian Harbour Beach in her career has 281 kills, 161 digs and 33 blocks so far. Her 281 kills rank #32 in the program.

Since transferring from Stetson University and making the interim transition to playing indoor volleyball, Keefe has become a key part of the Manatees offense this season. The Londoner currently has 100 kills, 12 aces, 102 digs and 13 blocks in her lone season. She is has already made history by becoming the first player from England to play indoor volleyball for the Manatees.

Upon her completion of the season, Keefe will transfer to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona to play beach volleyball in spring 2024 with up to three years of eligibility remaining.

Lyons, who has been the fan favorite amongst the team, currently has 11 kills, four aces, 29 digs and six blocks. 

Backing Up The Squad:
Backing up the sophomores are freshmen Aleksandra Wrobel, Teresa Briefender, Morgan McGuire, Elise Bakken and Katrina Tallo.

Wrobel, who primarily leads the offense, currently has 134 kills, 14 aces, 84 digs and 14 blocks. In her last matchup, the Pole had five kills and two digs in the 3-1 win over Webber International JV.

Briefeneder, a primary blocker, currently has 64 kills, 28 digs and 35 blocks in her name so far this season.

McGuire is coming off of three straight matches of 30 plus assists in non-conference play. The Tampa native currently has 361 assists, 27 aces and 165 digs.

Bakken, who plays behind McGuire, currently has 244 assists, 12 aces and 87 digs.

Tallo, who also plays as a primary blocker, currently has 42 kills, eight aces, 45 digs and 28 blocks (eight solo).

Scouting Pasco Hernando State:
The Bobcats are coming off of a 3-0 shutout win over St. Pete College on Wednesday, October 11. They are currently in first place in the south division.

Leading the Lady Bobcats' offense is freshman Elizabeth McDonald and sophomore Kylie Ciani as they both lead with 226 and 214 kills respectively. McDonald has 132 digs, 34 aces and 26 blocks (16 solo) in her name, while Ciani has 76 digs and 12 aces.

Defensively, freshman Blake Samon and sophomores Kaitlyn Klemm and Isabella Greifenstein lead the front row in blocking. Samon has 21 blocks (12 solo) to go along with 15 kills, while with 11 and 10 Klemm has 12 blocks and 16 kills and  Greifenstein has 71 kills, 15 blocks and 12 digs. In the back row, sophomore Elena Castillo-Wetzell leads the way with 97 digs and eight aces.

Overall, the Manatees are 10-29 against the Lady Bobcats. In the last match, they defeated the Lady Bobcats 3-1 in New Port Richey.

Scouting Palm Beach State:

The Lady Panthers are coming off of a 3-0 shutout over South Florida State. They are currently tied for second place in conference with SCF.

Leading the Lady Panthers offense is sophomore Zuzanna Michalska. Michalska, a transfer from Spartanburg Methodist (NJCAA) leads the way with 208 kills, 34 aces and 215 digs. Freshman Patrycja Kabala follows with 132 kills, 51 digs and 20 blocks

Defensively, sophomore Ellianna Sawyer leads the front row with 44 blocks (seven solo) and 37 kills, while freshman Ana Paula Fallas Cruz leads the back row with 189 digs.

The Manatees are 10-21 overall against the Lady Panthers. Earlier in the season, the Manatees defeated the Lady Panthers 3-1.

How to Keep Up:
Both matches will air on the SCF Sports Network and fans can keep up with the Manatees on all social media platforms.


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