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Highlands Today

Panthers Push It To The Limit

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Heloise Antony jousts against Jessica Singewald during a volleyball drill the first day of volleyball camp on Tuesday at SFCC in preparation for the season.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: August 7, 2008

AVON PARK - Intensity and enthusiasm were in abundance on the first day of volleyball camp on Tuesday for the South Florida Community College Panthers, but the heartache from last season's disappointing finish still lingers around the orange-tinted gym.

"Everyone showed up but our girls," said head coach Kim Crawford immediately after the Panthers squandered their first chance at the playoffs since 1999 after they were swept by St. Petersburg College on their home court.

Win and the Panthers were in, but a happy ending wasn't in the cards.

Crawford is as passionate about volleyball as any coach and she puts her heart into every season. Last season, her heart became a bit tattered from the emotional rollercoaster the Panthers rode, something she said she hopes to use as fuel for the upcoming campaign.

"That was the biggest winning season (18) we've had in her tenure," Crawford said. "But it still came down to just one game."

Crawford has moved past the loss, and if she and the Panthers are going to make another run to end the near decade-long playoff drought this year, she'll have to do so with just 10 girls.

Coming into the 2008 season, the Panthers have just three returning sophomores from last year's squad to go along with five freshman and two sophomore transfers.

Gone are Suncoast Conference first-team selections Amy Birkemeier and Michele Remlinger and second-team selection Mallory Strall, but what Crawford has seen during the first day of practice has her hopeful.

"They're extremely enthusiastic and ready to work," Crawford said. "I think we've got more depth this season than last year and we've got girls with experience on the court. It's just trying to find that right combination that'll work for us."

Top returners are setter Brieanne Engle, outside hitter Sheeva Noshirvan and middle hitter and former Red Devil Kysi Wooden. And all looked impressive during the ball-control drills.

Noshirvan amazed everyone with her blocking skills, while Engle's instincts and ball-control skills are going to be a much-needed commodity if the Panthers are going to succeed in one of the toughest volleyball conferences in the state.

Wooden's skills are still a bit raw, but her improvement is evident, especially in her hitting accuracy.

"Coach Crawford's practices are always challenging," Wooden said. "They really show what you're made of and also help correct any mistakes or technique flaws you have in your game."

Last season was still in the back of Wooden's mind when asked about the final game.

"That was such a letdown for all the girls. We knew we had let a golden opportunity just slip away from us," Wooden said. "But right now, I'm not even thinking about last year. I need to stay focused on getting prepared and erase what happened last year with a playoff bid this year."

Noshirvan has turned into a vocal leader on the floor for the Panthers during practice, something that was missing at times in 2007.

"I just want to put last season behind us," Noshirvan said. "We have the tools in place to be successful this year. I like what I've seen out of the new girls and the chemistry is good now but will only get better as the season gets closer."

Newcomer Heloise Antony is a transfer from Polk Community College and is originally from Toulouse, France, giving the Panthers an international feel, while Emmalee Luther transferred from Indian River.

Antony's game looked sharp during drills, as her footwork and ability to take direction will give her a leg-up heading into the season, while Luther has been said to be a great blocker and should do fine in solidifying the middle.

Freshmen outside hitters Casey Driscoll of Riverview, Aubrey Williams of Jacksonville, and Kasandra Jean-Louis of Naples, along with middle blocker Jessica Singewald and setter Victoria DeFord, are learning the ropes and getting used to Crawford's coaching style to make the transition to junior college volleyball.

Fundamentals were a key focus for Crawford on Tuesday, as the team went through drills during a three-hour practice. She believes such fundamentals start with good coaching.

"You can definitely tell if a girl has had good coaching in the past," Crawford said. "Kasandra has excellent fundamentals because she comes from an atmosphere that develops that well-rounded player.

"It's so important for girls who are serious about volleyball to get good coaching. Playing club or travel volleyball is a key, as is doing their own research.

"I ask my girls if they've ever looked up volleyball on Google or read a volleyball magazine. The fundamentals of volleyball are the same as they have been for years. That's why I tell my girls to pay attention during practice and learn every position because you never know if where you might be asked to play. You have to be ready."

SFCC assistant coach Charlotte Bauder calls this year's Panthers 'a scrappy bunch' that has the defensive prowess to stand tall in the tough Suncoast Conference.

"Right now, it's still early to tell, but the one thing I can see that's different from last year is they pick each other up when things get hard," Bauder said. "Once things start going wrong during a season you tend to lose momentum and then girls start doubting. It's hard to overcome that obstacle.

"We're pushing them to the limits during practices and I guarantee you that they haven't worked out this hard over the summer. But what I'm seeing is a team coming together and that is sometimes more crucial that skills toward the end of the season."

Bauder is the link to the playoffs for SFCC, as she was a member of the 1999 Panther squad that made it to the postseason and hopes the drought will end this year.

"It's disappointing for your playoffs to come down to one game on your home court and not make it," Bauder said. "But we're at day one right now for this season and we're going to make sure this team is in the best position to win."

The Panthers begin the season on Aug. 23 at the Palm Beach Jamboree in Lake Worth and the home opener is on Aug. 28 against Broward.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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