Bradenton, Fla - Court volleyball season has officially begun and practice time in the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, USCAA, NCCAA, ACCA, CCCAA and NWAC is underway for all colleges and universities.
For the SCF volleyball team, they look to bounce back after a difficult outcome last season involving postponed and cancelled games due to the effect of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Manatees, who finished last season 3-12 overall with a 3-12 record in the Sun Lakes Conference, will open with five scrimmages before opening their season in Sun Lakes Conference play against nationally ranked Pensacola State.
Second year head coach Courtney Bobo-McKenzie will lose two players from last season and looks to her eight sophomore returners, primarily Aryanna Spainhower, Ericka Freeman and Sarah Stouky, to help the seven newcomers she recruited during the offseason.
Five Players to Watch:
1. Aryanna Spainhower, So., Outside hitter/Right Side Hitter/Setter: Spainhower, a local product from Braden River High School, is coming off of finishing last season as the team's primary offensive player as she finished with 190 kills, 220 points, 17 assists, 16 aces, 27 blocks and 215 digs. Additionally, Spainhower was named as a member of the FCSAA 25 Dig Club one time and was named to the All-Sun Lakes Conference Second Team.
2. Erick Freeman, So., Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitter: Freeman, another local product from Braden River High School, joined the Manatees late September last season and was able to put together 42 kills, 32 digs and 22 blocks in 10 matches.
3. Liliana Palacios, Fr., Setter/Middle Blocker: Palacios, a native of Tampa, Florida, joined the Manatees for her freshman year after graduating from Freedom High School. She helped the Patriots to four straight appearances in the FHSAA 5A Girls State Volleyball Tournament.
4. Natalie Schwenk, So., Libero/Defensive Specialist: Schwenk, a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, returns for her second season after she finished last season with 129 digs, two aces and seven assists. After joining the team as a walk-on, she would then, during the season, earn a scholarship.
5. Abigail Jaquay, Fr., Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitter: A native of Wesley Chapel, Jaquay joins the Manatees from Wesley Chapel High School where she helped the Wildcats win three district championships and make four straight appearances in the FHSAA 5A Girls State Volleyball Tournament.
Five Matches to Watch:
1. vs Pensacola State (September 5): The Manatees open the regular season and Sun Lakes Conference play at home against Pensacola State, who finished ranked #11 in the NJCAA DII National Polls last season. After winning the NJCAA Region 8 DII State Championship, the Lady Pirates would play in the NJCAA DII National Tournament where they would finish 1-2.
2. vs Gulf Coast State (September 6): Following their match against Pensacola State, the Manatees will take on Gulf Coast State, who finished last season #5 in the NJCAA DII National Polls. After falling to Pensacola State in the finals of the NJCAA Region 8 DII State Championship, the Lady Commodores would qualify for the NJCAA DII National Tournament where they would reach the final four before finishing 2-2.
3. vs Trinity College of Florida (September 5): The non-conference match against Trinity College of Florida will be the first time both teams meet since October 12, 2023, where the Manatees were victorious. The Lady Tigers finished last season 5-17 in their first year as a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
4. at South Florida State (September 26): The Manatees look for another sweep over South Florida State after doing so last season. The Panthers finished last in the Sun Lakes Conference.
5. vs Palm Beach State (October 25): The match against Palm Beach State will be the Manatees' final regular season home match, which is also their sophomore day match. The Panthers finished fourth in the Sun Lakes Conference before falling to St. John's River State in the NJCAA Region 8 DII State Championship.
