Lady Chargers Go "National"
Piqua Daily Call
October 20, 2006
Story by
Rob Kiser Sports Editor

It didn’t take long for the Edison Community College volleyball program to gain notice.

And for good reason.

The Lady Chargers, coached by Carrie Snider and assisted by Brooks Hines, who are 19-5, are ranked seventh in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division III poll.

That includes all JUCO teams that don’t give scholarships.

“To be honest, we are where we thought we would be in about two years,” Edison athletic director Chip Hare said about the program that was dormant the last tow years.

“What we were hoping to do was attract volleyball players who would be attending Edison anyway. And I think we have done that.”

And then some.

“Who knew we would ge payers like Roshelle Watercutter, Jessica Girod, Laura Deaton and Claire Frantz, among others,” Hare said. “Then you add kids like NIcki Spilizewski, who didn’t play her senior year, Natasha Selle, who hadn’t played in three years, Elizabeth Schulze and Janell Houck who have all been key contributors.”

And then, there is Mindy Pearson, who is the lone team member who was on the inaugural Lady Charger team three years ago.

“Mindy (Pearson) is probably the player I am happiest for,” Hare said. “Because, she was here three years ago. That was a tough season, because we didn’t have a lot of experience. Then she went through the last two years (where Edison had hoped to have  team, but for various reasons didn’t). So, I am so happy that she is getting to be part of this.”

Lady Chargers first-year coach Carrie Snider had hoped a season like this would be possible. “We had hoped to be nationally ranked,” she said. “But you never know with a new team.”

Edison’s schedule speaks for itself. All five of the Lady Charger losses have come to Division II teams that are ranked nationally.

“We have definitely played a tough schedule,” Snider said. “We have taken the approach to beat the teams we should beat and play as well as we can against the others.”

One of the highlights for the Lady Chargers was a win over Columbus State in Columbus last Saturday. Columbus State was ranked eighth nationally.

“That was an incredible match,” Snider said. “Both sides were really into it and played some great volleyball. You could see a real rivalry forming there.”

The chargers will need two wins in the postseason to advance to the nationals (where eight teams play for the title). But, they will have to get past the eighth (Columbus State, (who has since dropped) and 10^th ranked team in the nation to get there.

“The one thing I think you can say,” Hare said, “is if we get there, it won’t be any tougher than the road it took to get there.”

The Lady Chargers have already gone national…at least in the rankings.