FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NOV. 19, 2009 

SMC Falls Into Consolation at Volleyball Nationals
Pioneers Will Play Hutchinson Community College On Friday 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA -- The SMC Pioneers volleyball team put up a tough fight in the NJCAA Division I tournament Thursday but were sent to the consolation round with an 0-3 set against top-seeded Salt Lake City Community College. 

The Pioneers improved throughout the set, posting a 25-8 loss in game one, then a 25-12 loss in the second, and finishing with a 25-16 score against Salt Lake in game three. 

SMC will play the No. 6 Hutchinson Community College Lady Dragons at 1 pm Eastern on Friday in the consolation round. 

The Pioneers battled to within five points of the Salt Lake at one point in game three, to a score of 20-15. 

“We did get better with each game. Our nerves got us in the first game though. All their players are over 6’0” and that kind of height can be really intimidating. Our girls had never played to that level of intensity all season long, either,” says head coach Susie Williams. 

Sophomore outside hitter Haley Cannon (Hickory HS / Hickory,  NC) had two kills for the entire set against Salt Lake. 

“Haley was making things happen. She was the most consistent on services and she fought hard  the entire time,”  says Williams.

Freshman outside hitter Danielle Enrico (Jupiter HS / Jupiter, FL) nailed two kills and four aces against Salt Lake. 

“Danielle didn’t show as much control though as Haley did,” adds Williams. 

Williams says the team will need to focus harder tomorrow in order to make it further in the tournament. 

“We need to focus on the things we can control like servicing, getting behind the ball, and making sure we are in a good position. We also need to be more in control when we’re running plays,” she says. 

Williams says the Pioneers still have hope of advancing further in the tournament, despite the fact that the best the team can reach in consolation is a 9^th place finish. 

“Any team is beatable. You just have to minimize your mistakes,” she says.

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia. SMC is in its 99th year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment.  More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.

For more information, contact SMC director of public information Brian Fulkerson at (864) 587-4524.