MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 13, 2020) - The Sun Conference tournament looms for the St. Thomas University (STU) Volleyball team in year one of the Whitney Battoe-era. The Bobcats completed the regular season with a 9-6 record and went 7-6 in Sun Conference play, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2017.
The 2020 campaign was filled with more challenges and adversity than any Head Coach, especially one in their first season, could have ever expected, having to overcome cancellations and postponements in what was going to be a tumultuous season. STU began the season with a 1-3 record before a four-set win over Florida National turned the season around on September 22. St. Thomas defeated Florida National for the first time in 2020 on September 22, which started a six-game winning streak for the Bobcats, featuring four Sun Conference wins.
"This season served as a tremendous learning experience, on a variety of levels, for me as a first-year collegiate coach," said Battoe. "From day one of the preseason and throughout the regular season, our motto was to 'win the day.' By transitioning from regular-season games to the playoffs, our focus is to continue focusing on all aspects of our game, trust our preparation, and play with heart."
STU's opponent for the Sun Conference tournament's quarter-final round is Webber International, which the Bobcats defeated twice in the regular season with two, three-set sweeps. Arianna Bolinger led the St. Thomas offensive attack in both matches against the Webber Warriors, recording 14-kills in each match-up. Bolinger's first performance against WIU netted the junior her second Sun Conference Attacker of the Week honor of her St. Thomas University career and the season. Kyleigh Beecham joined Bolinger as Sun Conference award recipients. The sophomore setter was named the Setter of the Week for the second time in 2020 and earned NAIA National Setter of the Week recognition, following the win over Webber.
The duo of Bolinger and Beecham has carried the Bobcats throughout the 2020 season, with Bolinger ranking third in the Sun Conference in kills (219) and Beecham pacing the conference with 482-assists. Tyran Chenault has also been a crucial piece for the Bobcats' success this season, as the middle-blocker leads the team in blocks with 49, which is third in the Sun Conference.
STU enters the postseason coming off a four-set win against Southeastern University on Tuesday, November 10. The upcoming St. Thomas match-up against Webber International may be personal for Head Coach Battoe, who gets her fourth playoff game against the Warriors in her career and her first as the Head Coach. STU took on WIU in the Sun Conference Tournament Championship in 2016 and 2017, including Battoe's senior season in 2017.
"As an alum of STU and the Volleyball program, the Webber rivalry games always brought the best from both teams," continued Battoe. "We have a great amount of respect for the program at Webber and look forward to competing against each other tonight."
Regular Season Match-ups
St. Thomas (9-6, 7-6 TSC) enters the Sun Conference tournament as the fourth-seed, taking on fifth-seeded Webber International (2-9, 4-10 TSC). During the regular season, STU beat WIU in both matches, sweeping the Warriors in the Fernandez Family Center and on the road in Babson Park.
The first match-up between the Bobcats and Warriors was back in September, with STU winning 25-21, 25-23, and 25-13. Chenault, in addition to recording 11-kills, added three blocks. Stephanie Gomez notched a match-leading four service aces in the win, as well.
In the second game, this time at the Sabbagh Athletic Center in Babson Park, was also a sweep in favor of the Bobcats. Bolinger and Beecham carried St. Thomas to the season sweep over Webber International.
Postseason History
After advancing and competing in the Sun Conference Tournament Championship in consecutive seasons, both St. Thomas and Webber International have had a run of hard-luck in recent seasons.
STU was eliminated in the quarter-final round in both 2018 and 2019, losing to Warner and Florida Memorial University.
Webber was unable to qualify for the postseason in the 2019 season but advanced to their third consecutive Sun Conference Championship in 2018, falling to Coastal Georgia in four-sets.
St. Thomas faces off against Webber International from the Fernandez Family Center at 6 p.m. on Friday evening.
Sun Conference Tournament page
Live Stream
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