PHSC Women’s Volleyball participates in three tournaments during the 2018 season. Their first invitational tournament was in August resulting in 3 wins and 1 loss at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa.
“It was a tough tournament at Hillsborough. We were the only Division 2 school that played there, we were the underdogs coming in,” Newton said. “It was great to come out strong, play hard and to play schools we don’t usually play.”
First year head coach Deann Newton leads the Bobcats with an 8-3 record going into their 2018 season. On the roster is 2017 Weeki Wachee High School graduate Sarah Asbury.
Newton is not a stranger to volleyball, she has an extensive background coaching high school volleyball and gained achievement as Coach of the Year at Sunlake High School and received the Sunshine Athletic Conference East Coach of the Year in 2014.
“My focus is about serve pass: you gotta serve the ball, you gotta pass the ball. After that you can’t do anything else if you are not successful in those areas, that has always been my focus as a coach,” said Newton.
The team is composed of seven sophomores and eight freshmen. Newton’s main focus as the season continues to push towards the FCSAA Sun Lakes Conference tournament is solidifying the line up.
“We got some great hitters,” Newton said. “Both of our middles are sophomores and very strong this year. They have done a great job at leading us at the net.”
The Bobcat Invitational Tournament is a two-day tournament held in September at PHSC in New Port Richey. The Bobcats took on on Lake Sumter College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Catawba Valley Community College and Indian River State College on their home court.
Bobcat Invitational Tournament Results
Friday Results
vs Lake Sumter College: (25-14) (25-22) (26-24)
vs Kansas City Kansas Community College: (27-25) (27-25) (22-25) (25-18)
Saturday Results
vs Catawba Valley Community College: (25-22) (25-22) (12-25) (25-21)
vs Indian River State College: (25-16) (20-25) (25-20) (23-25) (15-11)
As far as how Sarah Asbury’s game has changed since she moved on to the collegiate level, she remarks,
“My game has changed alot, I am getting smarter,” Asbury said. “I know what I am good at this year and even last year is different from high school. I am watching their (opposing) team and their defense to help on my offense.”
Now a sophomore at PHSC, Asbury continues to be energetic and showcases a great sportsmanship amongst her teammates.
“I feel great, I love the team. We all connect really well and we balance each other out,” Asbury said. “Big shout out to my family and coaches. I love them all.”
In October the Bobcats are on the road competing against Northern Virginia Community College (Virginia) Wallace State Community College (Alabama), Catawba Valley Community College (North Carolina) and Owens Community College (Ohio).
PHSC has been ranked within the top ten in the Division II NJCAA polls during the 2018 season. In 2017 they were ranked number 8 in the nation.
“We definitely want to get back to nationals again,” Newton said. “… and play our hearts out when we get there.”
Game updates can be viewed on their website: https://athletics.phsc.edu/sports/womens-volleyball
