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Frustration Boils Over For SFCC Volleyball

Chris HoffmanHighlands Today

SFCC's Kysi Wooden hits a shot into the Polk defense during Thursday's match.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 4, 2008

AVON PARK - Frustration levels have reached critical mass for the South Florida Community College volleyball team.

The Panthers looked out of sync, and outside of a few players, lacked any sort of passion on Thursday night, as SFCC was swept by the Polk Vikings 21-25, 21-25, 12-25 in Panther Gymnasium.

As numerous shots fell in the center of several Panther players in the third game, many of the Viking players couldn't help but laugh at how far the Panthers had sunk.

SFCC head coach Kim Crawford tried to motivate her players during a timeout in the third game where she pointed out the jovial mood of their opposition.

"Do you see them laughing at you?" Crawford said. "I'm even laughing at you. This is a joke the way you're playing.

"You're better than this."

For the most part, the motivational tactic by Crawford fell on deaf ears, as the Panthers put up little opposition and the Vikings embarrassed SFCC on its home court.

"I'm really frustrated at this point," Crawford said. "I'm completely shocked at our play tonight. I can't understand how we can go out and win a game against a top-ranked team like Hillsborough and come out tonight and play with no passion.

"I think I've got a lot of girls just going through the motions. There is no reason after playing over 60 sets for a bunch of college players to have so many balls fall between them and nobody even moves.

"That shows me that they're not even focused on the game."

The frustration wasn't just flowing from the coaching staff, as sophomores Bri Engel and Kysi Wooden reiterated Crawford's shock and dismay at the turn of events this season.

"I know that Kysi and I have talked until we're blue in the face," Engel said. "You get to the point where you're all talked out. The girls on this team always talk a good game but they don't bring it out on to the court.

"That shows me a lack of pride."

Wooden, an Avon Park product, agreed.

"It's tough when we go out and play hard every night, but not every one of our teammates is with us," Wooden said. "What really hurts is that we're better than this. We have the talent to play with anyone, but you can't coach heart."

Wooden and Engel were the spark for most of the offense, which played hard during the first two games against Polk, only to have that effort dashed under an umbrella of mistakes and bad play.

The Panthers held leads in the first two games, but allowed a machine-gun burst of points by Polk on balls into the net.

"It really seems to be a trend for us," said SFCC assistant coach Charlotte Bauder. "We get a lead or we'll be playing really good and then fade in the end. This team can't pick themselves up when they get into a slump.

"It's hard to coach and really hard to watch."

Engel finished with another solid game, as she had 20 assists, seven digs and a solo block not to mention six kills, which is out of character for a setter, while Wooden led the team with 10 kills and three block assists while involving herself on nearly every play.

"This has really been a tough season but it's not a lack of talent - it's all mental," Engel said. "It's been really hard for those of us that care.

"Every door that we open for the other girls, they shut."

Tuesday's match against Manatee that was scheduled as a home match has been changed to an away game. Game time is still 7 p.m.

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

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