Congratulations to the Clinton College Women's Volleyball team of the month

ROCK HILL, S.C. - With just nine players in their second season of volleyball at Clinton College, the 12-win Lady Golden Bears received a National Tournament Bid in November and had an opportunity to compete at the NCCAA Championships.  

"Players played out of position, but staying healthy was the key," said first year head Coach Tangela Faulkner. "The team bought in while trusting God to give them strength to get through long matches without a substitute and no Libero."

Junior setter Vanja Tomic, one of our team captains leading the way on and off the court with a 4.0 GPA, was named November Player of the month, All Tournament team at Bob Jones Univ., and was named to the All-Region first team. She contributed 532 assists, 238 digs, and 30 aces.

With Ashanti Washington being the team's leader and additional team captain, she ended up playing the role of a versatility player. Even though she's a DS/Libero, she also assisted in setting when needed. She was named Player of the Month in October with 267 digs for the season and 19 service aces.

"Ashanti keeps the team focused when it matters most! She's been that coach on the court," said Faulkner.

Alongside her is Amoni Washington, a sophomore OH who transitioned to MB. She led her team in kills (247) and service aces (35) while contributing 180 digs and also was named to the All-Region Second team! 

"Every player on this team played a pivotal part in this team's success," said Faulkner. Sierra Smith,a sophomore OH, who was out for half of the season due to an injury from last year, stepped on the court later in the season with a vengeance. In her first game back she contributed a career and season high 20 kills and 9 digs in the win over Paine. She also recorded five double-doubles for the season and was  named to the All-Region Second Team!

Our junior transfer OH Lauren Flanagan chipped in with 150 kills for her first season at Clinton as well as she was willing to play the role her team needed her to play for the success of the team. Freshman DS/OH Kierra Ellison, was Clinton's motivator and remained consistent throughout the season and "always gave 100% in the role she played for that day as these young ladies loved  and supported each other at all times," said coach Faulkner. 

Lakayla Peoples a freshman DS, was Clinton's unfazed server. "She'd come in the game and serve up a couple of aces consistently when the game was on the line," commented Coach. She recorded 17 aces in just 14 matches. "She has a bright future here at Clinton College as a student athlete as she finished out the semester with a 3.3 GPA," continued coach.

Shelby Fuller, a starting Freshman right side hitter, was a big contributor defensively as she contributed 163 digs and 20 service aces. Being a mom of a 3-year-old daughter, she made the ultimate sacrifice for her future and chose Clinton to continue her education while being away from her daughter.

"We're super excited to watch her to continue to grow over the next 3 seasons and are excited to be a part of her collegiate volleyball journey," coach said.

Last but not least, Love Landon our middle blocker, who was hurt for the first 8 games, came back as a major contributor leading Clinton in blocks with 22, while contributing 149 digs and 82 kills. Faulker commented that Landon is "an energetic powerhouse that is the perfect balance for this amazing group of young ladies."

Congratulations to the team for being named Team of the month!