Lady Falcons Receive All-Conference Nods, While Kandler Claims Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year Honors

October 28th, 2015

Daytona State College Volleyball will conclude regular season play Friday night as they take on the Sharks of Miami-Dade College.  This match will culminate a journey that has exhibited tremendous growth and development for this young Falcon volleyball team.

The Lady Falcons opened the season in August with a 1-3 start at the Hillsborough Tournament which commenced season play.  Since this weekend, the Lady Falcons have gone on to accumulate 17 wins on just 11 loses.  All 11 loses have been to programs ranked in the top 20 this season.  Additionally, the Lady Falcons have had several notable program wins during the 2015 season.  These wins include Polk State College (#5), Hillsborough Community College (#9), Indian River State College (#16), and Sante Fe College (#11).

The Falcons have seen offensive and defensive contributions throughout the season from nearly every player in the Daytona State College roster.  This well rounded distribution of productivity has been instrumental to the success of the program.  Key individuals have stepped up as leaders in the program, and have recently received recognition by the Mid-Florida Conference and their coaches.

Sophomore, Katora Roberts, and freshman, Tania Kottke, received Mid-Florida Conference honors, as they were both voted to Second Team All-Conference.  Roberts, a middle hitter for the Falcons, has played in 25 matches this season, recording over 171 kills, hitting an impressive .296.  Her presence in the middle for the Falcons is a principal and essential component of their success.  Roberts has a strong attack and heavy swing offensively, and is the Falcon’s first line of defense, putting up a solid block against Daytona State’s opponents.

Kotte, joined the Falcons as a right side attacker, but has seen her role expand to the outside over the course of the season due to teammate injuries.  Kottke has a lot of power behind her swing, and over the course of the season, she has developed consistency in her attack and has become a go to attacker for the Lady Falcons.  To start the season, Kottke provided an erratic attack for Daytona State hitting .144 before heading into conference play.  Since the close of September, and the opening of conference play, Kottke has raised her hitting percentage nearly 60 points, attacking right at .200.  Kottke has had to play a bigger role defensively and it has served to advance and cultivate her game.

“Roberts and Kottke are integral players in our program’s success.  They are committed to excellence and to the program’s overall mission.  Their buy in has been impeccable.  Roberts has been a phenomenal leader to the young ladies in the program, and Kottke’s personality makes her a joy to be around both on and off the court,” responded Stegall when asked about her player’s honors.

First Team All-Conference honors were awarded to two additional Lady Falcon teammates.  Freshman setter, Megan Miller, and sophomore outside hitter, Alica Kandler, were named to this esteemed list of candidates. 

Miller, joined the Falcons this fall, directing the Daytona State College offense.  She had the difficult task of taking over offensive control as a freshman.  Miller took the challenge head on and has currently tabbed 1031 assists on the season.  With 10.21 assists per set, Miller currently ranks 10th in the nation overall.  “Miller has shown poise and dedication in her role as the Falcon starting setter.  She is a competitor.  The great thing about Miller is she grows and develops every day.  She is only going to get better and expand her development to all aspects of her game both offensively and defensively,” commented Coach Stegall on Miller’s nomination.

Kandler, a sophomore outside hitter, rounds out the honorees for Daytona State College by the Mid-Florida Conference. Kandler has been a mainstay in the Falcon Volleyball program the past two years.  This is her second time being honored as First Team All-Conference and her first time being named Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year.  Kandler leads the Mid-Florida Conference offensively with 366 kills, averaging just over 3.6 kills per set.  This places her 14th in the nation overall in kills per set and 24th in the nation for total kills.  Kandler’s contributions exceed just her offensive output.  She is a phenomenal passer in the Falcon’s serve receive and leading defender for the Falcons. Kandler currently has 362 digs on the season.

“Kandler is a coach’s dream.  She is driven in all aspects of life, in volleyball, the classroom, and in her personal life. She is an exceptional student.  She comes to practice every day ready to compete and raise the bar, and then is always willing and committed to being a servant leader. She has been instrumental in leading this program and cultivating the development of our new players.  Kandler will be dearly missed next season, but the legacy she has left on this program will be indefinite,” commented Stegall on Kandler’s esteemed honors as Conference Player of the Year and Mid-Florida Conference 1st Team.

Kandler has already committed to Virginia Commonwealth University on a full scholarship for 2016.  There is no doubt that her work ethic and commitment to excellence will carry over her future endeavors playing for the Rams of VCU.

The Falcons will conclude play Friday night at home, and will then set their sights on Florida Regional play, which is set to take place in Pensacola, Florida on November 6th.  The Falcons will open up with the Hawks of Hillsborough Community College.