Lady Falcons Receive Conference Honors
The Lady Falcons finished the 2018 season with an impressive 20-8 overall record and a consistent presence in the NJCAA National Poll.
Additionally, several Lady Falcons received honors for their impressive play this season with All-Conference nods. Sophomores, Taylor Garcia and Yasmin Kuck, were named to the competitive Mid-Florida Conference 1st Team for their notable performances this season.
Kuck was a go to player for Daytona State College all season. She amassed 252 kills this season for the Lady Falcon's offense. Additionally, she added 219 digs this season, more than doubling her defensive contributions from the 2017 season. Kuck has been a valuable player for Daytona State College and will be continuing to enhance her collegiate volleyball resume as she dons a Stetson Hatter jersey this spring competing for Stetson University's Beach Volleyball program.
Garcia finds herself on the 1st Team All-Conference ballot for her second season in a row. Garcia's impressive attack percentage both seasons has afforded her this prestigious accolade. Garcia hit .300 for the 2018 season, recording 182 kills in her 28 matches played. Garcia will shift gears now that the 2018 season has concluded. She will finish her paramedic studies and begin her training as a firefighter.
The Lady Falcons had two young ladies attain recognition on 2nd Team All-Conference for their contributions this season, Nicole Rodriguez and Gardieliz Laureano.
Rodriguez is arguably one of the best liberos in Region VIII. She accumulated 560 digs on the season. Her season highlight came against Hillsborough Community College on September 8th, when she set a record for the Lady Falcons for digs in a match with 38 digs. Her impressive defensive performances that week earned her top billing in the NJCAA awards. She was named Region VIII Defensive Player of the Week and NJCAA National Defensive Player of the Week.
Laureano haw also been a consistent presence for the Lady Falcons. Her leadership on and off the court, as well as, her ability to effectively distribute the ball to her attackers garnered the attention of the coaches in the Mid-Florida Conference. Laureano played in all 28 matches for the Lady Falcons and recorded 581 assists on the season.
The Lady Falcons had an overall impressive season. They fell just shy of their season goal of returning to the Region VIII tournament after suffering a tough loss to Mid-Florida Conference rival, College of Central Florida, in a tie-breaking playoff match. The Falcons close out their season spending nearly every week in the NJCAA Top 20 poll and recording their 5th straight winning season notching 20 wins in 2018