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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 5, 2000
It seemed like Deja Vu all over again.
St. Petersburg Junior College qualified for the state volleyball tournament for the second straight season.
Like last year, the Trojans finished second in the Suncoast Conference behind Pasco-Hernando Community College. But unlike the past, SPJC will have a longer stay in Kissimmee.
In Thursday's first round of the state tourney, the Trojans beat Gulfcoast Community College 15-5, 15-10, 15-13. That's better than last season, when SPJC lost two matches and went home early.
The Trojans appear to be much better. They finished the regular season 27-9, 8-2 in the league.
In the second annual SPJC Volleyball Classic, played the week before the state tournament, the Trojans swept all four matches to win the championship.
Clearly, they entered the state tournament on a roll. The only setback was to outside hitter/setter Jamie Martin, who suffered a broken thigh bone in an automobile accident.
"Except for Jamie, we should be in good shape for states," SPJC coach Maggie Knoop said prior to the tournament. "If we can stay up and get our share of line calls, we should do all right."
The Trojans, ranked 20th nationally, are attempting to win the Gulf district of the state tournament.
Another district is the Atlantic. The winners of both districts square off in the final match, but both teams advance to the national tourney.
TIPPING OFF: SPJC started its men's and women's basketball seasons Thursday night.
The men handily won an exhibition game against the American Eagles, 78-58. SPJC's women squeaked by Webber College 64-63.
SPJC's men are hoping to bounce back from a 13-16 season.
Four key players return, including forward Daryl Saine, who missed all of last year to injury. Guards Chad Graham, Lonnell West and Patrick McMullen will be counted on.
Transfers Trevis Allen, from Broward Community College, and Kyle Scheuller, from Lakewood High School and Central Florida, should help. Trojans coach Earnest Crumbley thinks freshmen Donnell Johnson and Nick Berry could make an immediate impact.
"This looks to be one of the best teams we've put together in my tenure," Crumbley said.
SPJC's women were 8-19 last season.
There are only three returners from that team -- guard Sarah Reed, center Dionne O'Garro and guard/forward Marcy Goodson.
But with the addition of 6-foot-2 center Caypande Eliasin and 6-1 center Angela Clifford, the Trojans finally have some presence under the basket.
"I think we'll enter the season with the most balanced squad we've had here in years," coach William "Hammer" Smith said.
ECKERD WOMEN'S SOCCER: Entering Friday night's final regular-season game, the Tritons owned a 10-5-1 record, 4-1 in the Sunshine State Conference.
They were coming off a 3-1 victory over Florida Southern.
This is Eckerd's best season.
CLEARWATER CHRISTIAN VOLLEYBALL: The Cougars again qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Conference Division II national tournament, which was played this weekend.
Clearwater Christian, a perennial NCCAA II power, won the South Regional Tournament to qualify for nationals.
Julie Hubbard was named the the regional's most valuable player, and Cindy Compton and Angela Long were named to the first team.
Heather Call was an honorable mention selection, and Vickie Grooms-Denny was named the coach of the year.