Virginia Peninsula Community College’s women’s volleyball players have impressed their coach in early-season workouts. So much so the coach thinks the Gators will be a surprise team in Region 10 of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
“I’m really excited. We look really strong,” said Megan Rimer, who took over the program in June. “We have some incredibly strong players on the team this year. I think we are going to be pretty competitive.”
One struggle in previous years has been attracting players. Some seasons finished with just six or seven players on the roster. Rimer, who also coaches club volleyball for VA Wave, has used those connections to recruit. Of the 12 players on her opening-day roster, four are those she coached at Wave and two others she coached with at the club.
“Player connections I’ve made since being in the area really helped me a lot,” she said. “I have to attest to the relationships I’ve built with previous players and their willingness to come play and be a part of the program.”
Those numbers are important as having a deep bench will be key.
“It’s going to be a huge advantage as far as being able to put out a good lineup, a solid lineup, and have hitters in all six rotations,” Rimer said. “It will be a huge strength.”
She has three returning players: Olivia Beasley, Ivy James and Mikela Waugh. Her newcomers are Isabella Arthur, Caelynn Frank, Jordein Holder, Brielle Kelso, Kelly Littlejohn, Sarah Morris, Aniyah Rodgers, Mackenzie Stephans and Devyn Zimmerman. Height should be one of their strengths, with Arthur and Holder at 5-10, Morris and Littlejohn at 5-8, and Waugh at 5-7.
“All across the net we have big hitters,” Rimer said. “We’re going to be able to put up a good block and we’re going to have hitters who can put the ball down and be really, really tough.”
In practice, Rimer has been emphasizing passing to make sure the hitters have the opportunity to shine.
The season starts Sept. 5 with a tri-match at Central Carolina Community College, with Carolina University the third team. The Gators’ home-opener starts at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, against Mid-Atlantic Christian University at SafeHaven Empowerment Center. Seven of their 12 matches are at home, with the Region 10 tournament set for Sandhills Community College (N.C.) on Oct. 30-31.
Rimer has watched film of some opponents and is confident the Gators will be competitive. She noted the season will be a success if “we can continue positive momentum throughout the rest of the season and build on that.”
For more information on Gators athletics, go to www.vpccgators.com.
