Sports 2 September 2014

UC Clermont Cougars volleyball team starts season on good note

By
Mae Hanna-

The UC Clermont volleyball team got the 2014 campaign off to a good start by recording a 2-1 record during the first week of play.

The 2014 schedule is a challenging one, so the two wins in three contests is a positive for the Cougars.
 
The season began on Monday, Aug. 25, as the Cougars hosted United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) power Marygrove College. Marygrove’s Mustangs were the number-one seed in the 2013 USCAA national tournament.
 
Longtime volleyball announcer and UC Clermont Hall of Famer Peggy Hager kicked off the season by hitting the ceremonial first serve in pre-game ceremonies.
 

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Action was intense from the start, as both teams brought their best floor defense to the contest. Clermont pulled away late in the first set to win 25-21, before Marygrove eked out a 25-23 second-set win.

The Cougars came back from a four-point deficit late in set three to win 26-24. The Mustangs returned the favor in set four, 25-15. Marygrove was then able to hold a slight advantage the entire fifth set to take the match 15-11.

Clermont’s 61 team digs played a major role in this exciting battle.
 
Clermont had little time to recover as they hosted Ohio State-Newark the next evening. The Titans came in with a 4-0 record and the championship of their season-opening tournament.
 
The Cougars kept the momentum going from the previous night as they faced a historically strong Newark program. Clermont jumped out early with some good serving and a solid attack. This good start helped carry the Cougars to a straight set 25-15, 25-17, 25-11 win.
 
After a few days to rest and practice, Clermont went on the road to Miami-Hamilton (3-1 record) for their first away contest. The Cougars were able to get a quick start against the Harriers thanks to a few service aces. Set one went to Clermont, 25-11. At that point, a very talented Hamilton squad picked up their game. The remaining sets were very tight, but Clermont was able to squeak out sets two and four to take the contest (25-20, 20-25, 25-19).

Seventeen Cougar service aces offset an off day offensively for the team.
 
Clermont will next take to the court on Saturday, Sept. 6. They travel to Berea College for a tri-match against the host school and West Virginia Tech. Both opponents (like Marygrove College) are Division I USCAA programs and present quite a challenge for the Division II Cougars.
 
For more information about the Volleyball Program, visit: http://www.ucclermont.edu/athletics/WomensVolleyball.html.

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