<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3TdzO4_0wPwI4kX00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3TdzO4_0wPwI4kX00" width="1807" height="1150" ><figcaption>Student Navigator</figcaption></figure>With a strong finish to the season and almost every player returning, the Virginia Peninsula Community College volleyball team is in great position to continue the program’s growth.The Gators, in just the third year of existence, went 4-15 overall and 2-8 in Region 10, but three of those wins came in the final six matches. VPCC came in fifth in the six-team conference but couldn't participate in the postseason tournament because injuries left the Gators with just five players.Coach Tommy Thomas said the highlight of the season was the growth of the team.“All those players got better,” he said.What made it more impressive was because the team had so few players, many had to play positions they had never played before.“We changed the rotation, lineups probably 15 times,” he said. “The last month and a half, we ended up with six kids. There was definite growth.”Setter Berkely Stenger, who was named second-team all-region, agreed.“I definitely did see progress,” she said. “If the girls that we saw on the first day of practice looked at the girls that we became at the end of the year, I think they would be impressed and proud of how far we came.”Thomas said he has commitments from all players except one for next year, with that one player possibly returning. He’s also optimistic he will have at least three or four new players in 2025.“We have a good core to build off of,” he said.Stenger has already talked to a few players about next year.“I do think we will have more people coming in,” she said. “I’m excited for next season.”When Thomas accepted the coaching position last year, he came in with a three-year plan to develop the program. He likes where the program stands, but noted it comes with a caveat.“You really can’t use last year as a year,” he said. “You have to use this year as your first year because it’s the first year in (junior college). Last year, we were a hybrid club. We played some junior colleges, but most of the matches were played were club.”He said he now knows what he must do as a coach to grow the program, and most of it is on the recruiting side.“That’s the biggest thing, getting kids into the door,” he said.His current players will help in that aspect because they have ties to area high schools or area volleyball clubs.“All of us as a group have to help with the recruiting,” he said.He did have 12 players at the beginning of the season, but injuries and attrition took their toll.Stenger’s honor was a first for the program. Thomas said she was good enough to be first team, but the Gators’ offense wasn’t as prolific as others.“She was second in the conference in assists per set and we didn’t have the offense like all these other teams did,” Thomas said.Stenger played for Thomas at Peninsula Catholic and club ball. He lauded her leadership, especially since she often played middle in addition to being the setter.“To do that and never complain. That’s what you want. That’s the reason why she was the captain,” he said.She was surprised by the honor.“I didn’t expect it, definitely with our record,” she said.She was most proud of her team keeping a positive attitude on the court even when facing tough opponents.</div></body>

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VPCC Volleyball Season Over; Stenger Honored

With a strong finish to the season and almost every player returning, the Virginia Peninsula Community College volleyball team is in great position to continue the program’s growth. The Gators, in just the third year of existence, went 4-15 overall and 2-8 in Region 10, but three of those...