Sinclair dominates at home against UC-Clermont, winning 3-0. Athletic Department honors sophomores during win.
The Sinclair volleyball team bounced back from a heartbreaking close to their conference season by dominating the University of Cincinnati – Clermont on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
The Tartan Pride won the contest 3-0 in a little less than an hour’s time.
The Pride celebrated the close to a stellar regular season as they reached the 30-win plateau for the first time in head coach K.C. Gan’s Sinclair coaching career.
“It’s the best record I’ve ever had [as a coach],” Gan said. “I’m very fortunate to have talented players this year. As usual, they played their own game. Even though they were playing a weaker team. That’s what I want, for them to play their own game. This team responds to me very well.”
In-between the second and third set, the team honored their sophomores Brianna Breeding, Sean Eades and Kathleen Beyoglides, by presenting them with gift bags and roses.
The players walked across the court with their parents during the brief break in action.
Gan said he was proud of his sophomore players and hopes they continue to pursue their education.
“I always miss my kids who are leaving,” Gan said. “One or two weeks after the season I enter deep depression, because I’ve been with these kids from Monday to Friday for practice and games, [and we’ve been] bonding together. All these kids are good kids and my wish for them is to go for four years and finish their education. Volleyball comes second. All three of them plan on finishing their education.”
Beyoglides, team captain for the Pride said that getting the win was the ideal way to close out her final game at home as a member of the Tartan Pride.
“It was really nice to end on a big win — our 30 win — it’s pretty fantastic,” Beyoglides said. “Now we get to prepare for the tournament and hopefully we’ll win Regionals, then make our way to Nationals.”
As part of the speech Gan gave to his players, he issued a challenge for the upcoming tournament.
“I challenge you to step up to play much better than the last match you played against Owens Community College and play above your own potential,” Gan said.
Sinclair heads into the National Junior College Athletic Association District E and F Tournament with an overall record of 30-5. Gan said he expects the team to be placed as the #2 seed.
“I think this team has a very strong mental game,” Gan said. “They are mentally prepared. They want to win the tournament and they can step up and play above their potential. And they know they can do it.”
Athletic Director Jack Giambrone said after the game that this season has made a huge impact on the program and hopefully they can continue to build from it.
“That’s a class that really set the standard for where we want to go. This team is a very talented team. We are now seeing a group of women that is going to continue to create a great Sinclair volleyball tradition. We are very proud of them, because they are now building what we really want to hoard here.”
Gan and Giambrone expect for a few of Sinclair’s players to be named to the Ohio Community College Athletic Association All-Conference team in the next few weeks. And said that one player, Jessica Thobe, may be named All-American.
“Jess is an outstanding player,” Gan said. “She’s not only good she’s outstanding. Hopefully she will be the Conference Player of the Year. And she is a potential candidate for All-American.”
