2009 Patriots Volleyball Season Wrap-Up

The 2009 season tested the skills of the University of the Cumberlands volleyball team. Losing two of their record-setting players to graduation, the Patriots had some big shoes to fill. Young and energetic, the team had a lot of quickness offensively that helped compensate for veteran skill. However, it was still a trying and learning experience for the ladies, one they intend to learn from and build on in 2010.

With a season record of 17-21 and 7-7 in Mid-South Conference (MSC) play, the Patriots ended their season at the Mid-South Conference Tournament. Despite their focus and determination, the Patriots fell to Lindsey Wilson College in four set bringing their season to an end, much before the ladies had anticipated.

Several players, however, finished the season as leaders in various categories. They are as follows:

Erika Barnes (Fairfield, OH): Kills (219), Attacking Percentage (0.246), Solo Blocks (34), Block Assists (245), Blocks/Set (0.44).

Amanda Hensley (Powell, TN): Kills (315), Kills/Set (2.44)

Kaylyn Suttles (Cincinnati, OH): Digs (574), Digs/Set (4.63), Serving Aces (35), Serves/Set (0.28)

Brittany Weinheimer (Liberty Township, OH): Set Assists (671), Assists/Set (5.12)

Cumberlands had several individuals earn honors on the MSC All-Conference Team for their excellence behind the net during the season. Kaylyn Suttles and Brittany Weinheimer both were named to the Mid-South Conference All-Tournament Honorable Mention team.

Off the court, the ladies used the same determination and focus as student-athletes. Due to their academic successes several Patriots were honored as MSC Academic All-Conference recipients. They include junior Angie Davenport (Williamsburg, KY), junior Amanda Hensley (Powell, TN), sophomore Alex Lawrence (Frankfort, KY), junior Tessie Rice (Nippa, KY), junior Kendra Sammons (East Point, KY) and junior Tommie Thompson (Pioneer, KY). In addition, sophomore Courtney Fout (Miamisburg, OH) was honored with the MSC Champions of Character Award. This award is given to the student-athlete that demonstrates academic achievement, campus leadership, community leadership, and embraces the five core character values of the initiative, athletic achievement and future ambition.

Head Coach, Kara Clemenz commented on the season saying, “With five freshmen added to the roster this year, we were young and again still building. We are excited and hopeful about the possibilities that are ahead of us for the 2010 season and understand we still have a lot of work to do in the off-season in order to improve and get to where we want to be in 2010.”

The 2010 season is guaranteed to be even better with so much potential talent after a successful season for so many players. Coach Clemenz will be looking to her returnees to step up and answer the challenge to lead the Patriots and there are many who are ready for the opportunity to continue to improve on the teams overall record and advance in the Mid-South Conference Tournament.

[2008 Season Wrap-Up] [2007 Season Wrap-Up] [2006 Season Wrap-Up] [2005 Season Wrap-Up] [2004 Season Wrap-Up]