Bobo-McKenzie Named Head VB Coach

Bradenton, Fla - Following Lynn Burnett's departure to run the indoor and beach volleyball program at New College of Florida and an extensive search, the SCF volleyball team has officially named Courtney Bobo-McKenzie the head coach.

"Courtney stood out from the beginning due to her experience in NJCAA Region 8 and her ties to Florida volleyball recruiting as a club coach," said athletic director Nick Cichielo. "She has demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm partnered with a calm and decisive demeanor, which I think will translate well to the college level. I look forward to seeing how she develops in her new role."

A native of Brandon, Florida, Bobo-McKenzie joins the Manatees while also working as the head coach for the Florida Elite Volleyball Academy (FEVA) U17 and U18 teams and Sumner High School in Riverview, Florida.

"First, I want to thank Nick (Cichielo) for give me this wonderful opportunity," said Bobo-McKenzie. "Becoming a college coach is something I have wanted since I started my coaching journey after my playing days were over. I am looking forward to working with the team to become the best student-athletes they can possibly be. We will embrace the community while also working hard to become the best team possible. With hard work and dedication, we can accomplish great things this year."

"What I'm looking forward to the most is establishing the talent that comes throughout Florida. I'm also looking for to building and growing the volleyball program."

Bobo-Mckenzie started her volleyball career at Brandon Senior High School (2006-10). After completing her senior year and graduating, she enrolled at Broward College (2010) before transferring to Palm Beach State College (2011-12) the following year where she had 23 kills, one dig and nine blocks. Following her stints with the Seahawks and Panthers, she would enroll at Benedict College (NCAA DII) in Columbia, South Carolina where during her senior year she helped the Tigers to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tournament while finishing that year with 47 kills, eight aces, 15 digs and 22 blocks.

After Benedict College, she would enroll at the University of South Florida where she received her bachelor's degree in communications before earning her masters in Clinical Mental Health at Webster University. After earning her master's degree, Bobo-McKenzie became a school counselor for the Hillsborough County Public Schools before becoming the head coach for Sumner High School in 2020 where she helped the Stingrays to four straight district tournament appearances in the FHSAA (5A, 6A and 7A).

Bobo-McKenzie will look to build around four returners from last season and lead them to another appearance in states in her SCF coaching debut.

SCF VB Host Senior Showcase

Bradenton, Fla - Newly named head coach Courtney Bobo-McKenzie and the SCF volleyball team will host a one-day senior showcase on Saturday afternoon, May 18 at 1 pm at Hal Chasey Gymnasium for all unsigned high school seniors. 

All participants must bring a physical and sign a liability waiver. If the participants are under 18, then they must have their parent or parental guardian signed the waiver

For more information, please contact Courtney Bobo-McKenzie by email at bobomcc@SCF.edu

SCF BVB Finishes 3rd in Nationals

Huntsville, Ala - The SCF beach volleyball team (13-7) closed the 2023-24 athletic season on a strong note. Despite falling 4-1 to Richard Bland (24-13) in in the semifinals, the Manatees would defeat conference rival Lake Sumter State (13-16) 3-2 for a third place finish at the NJCAA Beach Volleyball Championship at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.

Palm Beach State (23-8) would win the NJCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament for the second consecutive year after defeating Richard Bland 4-1 in the finals.

“I think our team did a great job, not just at nationals, but all season,” said head coach Eunyce Vercosa. “They worked really hard with so much practice and did what they needed to do. We can't control the result, but I loved the personas that they had and how we finished to the end. After losing in the semifinals, they came in with a completely different mindset and finished for third, which was amazing. I'm so proud of the team and what we built all season.”

“I think with two coaches coming in this year and being thrown into it, we did an amazing job,” said assistant coach Kat Paraspolo “Me an Eunyce connected really well together and came together to teach them as much as we could with our time with them this. I thought they did such an amazing finish with all the circumstances.”

Consolation Pool:

Gaston College (11-23) would win the consolation pool after defeating Trinidad State (2-14) 3-2 and shutting out Bryant and Stratton (0-9) 5-0 to finish in seventh place. Trinidad State would defeat Bryant and Stratton 3-2 to finish in eighth, while Bryant and Stratton finished in last place.

Quarterfinals:

Richard Bland (#3 seed) would open with a 4-0 shutout win over Sandhills CC (#6 seed) (13-19) to advance to the semifinals and face SCF, who secured a first round bye.

In the second quarterfinals matchup, Lake Sumter State (#5 seed) would narrowly defeat Mesa CC (#4 seed) (16-14) 3-2 to face #1 seed Palm Beach State in the semifinals.

As a result of their losses, Sandhills CC and Mesa CC were sent to the 5th place bracket.

5th Place Match:

Heading into the 5th place bracket, Mesa CC would shutout Sandhills CC 5-0 to finish in fifth place, while Sandhills CC finished in sixth.

SCF vs Richard Bland:

Sophomores Rhea Kohl and Kayla Gentry would get the lone win as they defeated the Region 10 Pair of the Year in sophomores Sarah Heath and Jordan Schlageter 21-11, 21-19 on the court #1 before the Statesmen took the remaining four matches to advance to the championship finals.

Palm Beach State would then defeat Lake Sumter State 3-0 to also advance to the championship finals before winning the title.

SCF vs Lake Sumter State:

With the championship finals out of their sight, the Manatees would look to be in the top three as they faced their state foe in the third place bracket.

Sophomore Amanda Gaudinho Pizzol and freshman Teresa Briefeneder would fall to sophomore Jayden Ponsford and freshman Braelyn Mittauer 21-7, 21-10 on the #3 court before sophomore Caelan Cook and freshman Morgan McGuire would then fall to sophomores Berklee Andrews and Allie Cox 22-20, 21-14 on the #4 court. 

The Manatees looked to lose hope and were about to claim a fourth place finish, but sophomores Bailee Perry and Isabella Rebimbas would give them a fighting chance on the #5 court as they defeated sophomore Mazi Watson and freshman Kai Register with a 21-19 pair decision.

With two matches left, both were in dead heat ties in the third set, but the Manatees would breathe more life as freshman Aleksandra Wrobel and Addison Beaver defeat sophomores Cassidy Rountree and Leanne Blue 21-14, 19-21, 15-13 on the #2 court to tie the matchup.

On the #1 court, Gentry and Kohl were put to the test against sophomores Yarielis Lopez Osorio and Kaylee Hunt as their third set would extend with several ties and lead changes, but a kill by Kohl and an attack error from the Lakehawks sealed the victory for the Manatees.

Notes:

1. For this season, Gaudinho Pizzol, Gentry, Wrobel, Kohl, Beaver and Perry all finished in the top 10 in career wins (Gaudinho Pizzol, 18; Gentry, 18; Wrobel, 18; Kohl, 17; Beaver, 16; Perry, 13)

Final Placings:

1. Palm Beach State *

2. Richard Bland College ^

3. SCF

4. Lake Sumter

5. Mesa CC

6. Sandhills

7. Gaston

8. Trinidad State

9. Bryant and Stratton

* National Champions

^National Runner-Up

Up Next:

This concludes the season for the Manatees as they will turn their focus on the 2025 season.

SCF BVB Finishes 4-0 in Pool Play

Huntsville, Ala - The SCF beach volleyball team (12-6) are now guaranteed a spot in the championship bracket of the NJCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama as they shutout Trinidad State (1-13) 5-0 before defeating Mesa CC (15-13) 3-2.

SCF vs Trinidad State:

The sophomore duo of Kayla Gentry and Rhea Kohl would open the door with a 21-15, 21-9 set win over freshmen Ellie Ames and Deniz Yileri at the #1 court. Classmates Bailee Perry and Isabella Rebimbas would follow with a two-set decision of their own winning 21-13, 21-6 over sophomore Neveah Martinez and freshman Raeann Savage on the #5 court before freshmen Aleksandra Wrobel and Addison Beaver sealed the decider with a 21-16, 21-14 win over freshmen Claire Johnson and Sophia Quizon on the #3 court.

As played continued, sophomore Amanda Goudinho Pizzol and freshman Teresa Briefeneder defeated sophomores Anna Jasinsky and Eimaya Medina 21-19, 21-18 on the #3 court before sophomore Caelan Cook and freshman Morgan McGuire sealed the sweep with a three-set decision over freshman Amya Speller and sophomore Nikolina Werbick by a score of 21-14, 11-21, 15-5.

SCF vs Mesa:

Wrobel and Beaver would once again open with a victory on the #2 court by a score of 21-14, 21-11. The Thunderbirds would then tie the series after Kohl and Gentry fell at the #1 court.

With three matches left, Cook and McGuire would win on the #4 court 21-17, 21-7 before Perry and Rebimbas won on the #5 court with a 21-15 pair decision to seal the victory. The Thunderbirds would secure the final match on the #3 court over Goudinho Pizzol and Briefeneder.

Other NJCAA Scores:

Richard Bland (23-12) defeated Lake Sumter State (12-15) 4-1 and Gaston College (9-23) 5-0 while Lake Sumter State defeated Gaston College 4-1.

Palm Beach State (21-8) shutout Bryant and Stratton (0-7) and Sandhills CC (13-17) 5-0 while Sandhills CC defeated Bryant and Stratton 4-1.

Up Next:

The Manatees will look to focus on the championship bracket Saturday morning, May 4 at 10:30 am. As a result of going 4-0 in pool play, the Manatees will be listed as the #2 seed and will await the winner of the 9 am match between Richard Bland (#3 seed) and Sandhills CC (#6 seed).

Bracket Schedule:

Consolation Pool - 

Gaston vs Trinidad State @ 10 am (9 am Central)

Gaston vs Bryant and Stratton @ 2 pm (1 pm Central)

Bryant and Stratton vs Trinidad State @ 4:30 pm (3:30 pm Central)

Championship Bracket - 

Quarterfinals:

#3 seed Richard Bland vs #6 seed Sandhills CC @ 9 am (8 am Central)

#4 seed Mesa CC vs #5 seed Lake Sumter State @ 9 am (8 am Central)

5th place Bracket - 

Match One Loser vs Match Two Loser @ 2 pm (1 pm Central)

Semifinals - 

#1 Palm Beach State vs Match One Winner @ 11:30 am (10:30 am Central)

#2 SCF vs Match Two Winner @ 11:30 am (10:30 am Central)

3rd Place Bracket - 

Match Three Loser vs Match Four Loser @ 3:15 pm (2:15 pm Central)

Championship Bracket - 

Match Three Winner vs Match 4 Winner @ 4:30 pm (3:30 pm Central)

SCF BVB Sweeps Pool Play of Nationals

Huntsville, Ala - The SCF beach volleyball team (10-6) started off strong in pool play on day one of the NJCAA Beach Volleyball Championship at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama as they shutout Bryant and Stratton (0-6) 5-0 before defeating Richard Bland (21-12) 3-2.

“This team has been growing during the season,” said head coach Eunyce Vercosa. “All the players' being has been so important for the team and I feel grateful as a coach for this amazing team we created this season.”

“I think the team did pretty well, even though some of us were not playing the way they wanted,” said sophomore Amanda Gaudinho Pizzol “Overall, we did what we needed to do, despite the hours of travel we had.”

“Overall, I thought we did well,” said freshman Teresa Briefeneder. “The first matchup was a slow start for us after a long bus trip, but it was good to come out on top and win all five matches as a team. In the second match, I thought we played well together today. We struggled in previous games, but it was really nice that we could push each other and take the best of each other to get the win.”

SCF vs Bryant and Stratton:

Sophomores Kayla Gentry and Rhea Kohl defeated sophomore Morgan Neitzell and freshman Mia Lenius 21-5, 21-7 on the #1 court. Perry and Rebimbas would follow with a 21-9, 21-4 win over freshmen Addison Miller and Melissa Lynn Bruhn on the #5 court before Gaudinho Pizzol and Briefeneder sealed the victory with a 21-7, 21-8 over freshmen Allison Erhlich the #3 court.

Play would resume as Cook and McGuire defeated freshman Philomena Hall and Paxton Longseth 21-9, 21-11 at the #4 court before freshmen Addison Beaver and Aleksandra Wrobel defeated freshmen Cayce Farrell and Michaela Reige 21-18, 21-8 at the #2 court.

Prior to SCF's win, Richard Bland shutout Bryant and Stratton 5-0.

SCF vs Richard Bland College:

Gentry and Kohl would once again put to the challenge at the #1 court against sophomore Sarah Heath and Jordan Schlageter, but with a strong focus, Gentry and Kohl would take down the reigning NJCAA Region 10 Pair of the Year with a 21-13 pair decision. This would put the Statesmen on edge as Perry and Rebimbas would fall to freshman Phoebe Heath and Peyton Osetenson at the #5 court 21-18, 21-14 before they took the lead after Beaver and Wrobel fell to sophomore Leilani Goggin and freshman Alexis Scipione in three sets (21-10, 19-21, 10-15) at the #2 court.

All eyes turned towards the final two courts that were also in three sets. Gaudinho Pizzol and Briefeneder, who struggled in the first set before making a comeback in the second set, would face them in a battle with sophomore Morgan Green and freshman Kiley Pickett at the #3 court. A costly mistake on Richard Bland's side would give Gaudinho Pizzol and Briefeneder a momentum change as they took the final two points and win in three sets (21-19, 21-15, 17-15).

On the final court, Cook and McGuire fought valiantly and were able to defeat freshmen Addison White and Aubrey Hyndshaw in three sets on the #4 court (21-16, 20-22, 15-13) to give the Manatees the victory.

Other NJCAA Tournament Scores:

Palm Beach State (19-8) shutout Gaston College (9-21) and Mesa CC (12-12) both by a score of 5-0.

Lake Sumter State (11-14) shutout Sandhills CC (12-16) and Trinidad State (1-12) 5-0 while Sandhills CC defeated Trinidad State 4-1.

Up Next:

The Manatees will be back in action Friday morning, May 3 for a second round of pool play. They will face Trinidad State at 10:15 am before facing Mesa CC at 4:30 pm.

SCF BVB Set for Nationals

Bradenton, Fla - Despite a heartbreaking loss at the NJCAA Region 8 State Tournament, the SCF beach volleyball team (8-6) will make their dream a reality for a national championship as they will travel 10 hours north to compete in the three-day 12-team NJCAA Beach Volleyball Championship at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama May 2-4. The Manatees will open their part of the tournament against Bryant and Stratton (0-4) and Richard Bland (20-11). 

Last Time Out:

The Manatees are coming off of finishing third in the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 State Tournament at the UMR Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch. They would defeat Lake Sumter State 3-2 in their opening match before falling 3-2 to eventual winners and defending champions Palm Beach State. They would try to go for the second automatic qualifying spot against Lake Sumter State, but they would fall 3-1.

Despite finishing third in the tournament, the Manatees were able to secure a spot in the national tournament as an at-large bid.

NJCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament Breakdown:

The NJCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament will be a nine-team tournament that is put into three pools of play. All three pools will play a series of round robin matches to determine the seed order of the tournament. Following round robin play

Palm Beach State (17-8) is the defending champions after winning the inaugural tournament last year.

Qualifying Teams:

Aside from their fellow conference members in Palm Beach State and Lake Sumter State (9-14), the following is the list of teams that will join the Manatees in the national tournament and the pool order:

Richard Bland (20-11) - Region 10*

Gaston College (9-19) - Region 10*

Sandhills (11-15) - Region 10*

Mesa (11-11) - Region 1*

Bryant and Stratton (WI) (0-4) - Region 4*

Trinidad State (1-10) - Region 9*

*Automatic Qualifier

Pool 1 -

Palm Beach State

Mesa

Gaston

Pool 2 -

Lake Sumter

Sandhills CC

Trinidade State

Pool 3 -

Richard Bland

SCF

Bryant and Stratton

Pairs Domination:

Leading the way our of the pairs is sophomore Kayla Gentry and freshman Rhea Kohl. Gentry and Kohl, who play as the #1 pair, are currently 11-2 overall as a pair. 

The freshman duo of Aleksandra Wrobel and Addison Beaver follow as they are 11-0 at the #3 spot. In fact, they are the only pair for the Manatees that are undefeated.

Scouting Richard Bland:

Richard Bland College hails from Petersburg, Virginia and represents NJCAA Region 10. They are lead by head coach Stephanie Champine, who enters her second season as head coach.

The Statesmen are coming off of finishing first in the conference play as the regular season champions before winning the NJCAA Region 10 State Tournament after defeating Spartanburg Methodist (4-0) in semifinals and eventual runner-up Sandhill Community College (3-0).

Leading the way is the sophomore duo of Sarah Heath and Jordan Schlageter. The pair, who play as the #1 pair, are 5-5 overall and were named the NJCAA Region 10 Pair of the Year.

Last season, the Manatees split with the Statesmen winning the first match 3-2 before losing the second match 3-1.

Scouting Bryant and Stratton:

Bryant and Stratton hail from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and represent NJCAA Region 4. They are lead by head coach Heather Curley, who enters her fifth season as head coach.

The Lady Bobcats played four matches where they lost of their matches. Despite that, they qualified for the national tournament automatically as they were the only college in Wisconsin with a beach volleyball program.

Times of Matches:

5/2:

Palm Beach State vs Gaston CC @ 10 am (9 am Central)

Lake Sumter State vs Trinidad State @10 am (9 am Central)

Richard Bland vs Bryant and Stratton @10:15 am (9:15 am Central)

Sandhills vs Trinidad State @ 11:30 am (10:30 am Central)

Mesa vs Gaston CC @ 11:30 am (10:30 am Central)

SCF vs Bryant and Stratton @ 3 pm (2 pm Central)

Lake Sumter State vs Sandhills CC @4:15 pm (3:15 pm Central)

Palm Beach State vs Mesa CC @ 4:15 pm (3:15 pm Central)

SCF vs Richard Bland @ 4:30 pm (3:30 pm Central)

How to Keep Up:

All matches will air on the NJCAA Network. Fans can also keep up with the Manatees on all social media platforms:

Livestream Link - https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index

Social Media Links - 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SCFvolleyball/ (SCF Volleyball)

X - https://twitter.com/SCFVolleyball (@SCFVolleyball)

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scfbeachvolleyball/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D (@SCFBeachVolleyball)