Volleyball freshman provides hope for future
Keegan Bell
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Sports
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A dig is the first contact of the ball after the opposing team spikes the ball over the net. Passmore is the starting libero for the Lady Mocs.
"A libero is a defensive player, a leader on the floor," UTC Associate Head Coach James Onikeku said. "The game is won and lost at this position."
Passmore played for the Orlando Volleyball Academy, a top prep travel team in Florida, where she grew up playing the sport.
"Volleyball is a popular sport in Florida," Passmore said. "There is big time talent in Florida, so I had a great opportunity to play against great competition.
According to the NCAA rankings, as of Nov. 8 Passmore is tied for eighth in the country in digs per set with 5.42.
She is a bright spot for the Lady Mocs, who currently stand fifth in the Southern Conference North Division, with a conference record of 4-11 and an overall record of 12-16.
Chattanooga closed out its home schedule Sunday with a 3-1 loss to Appalachian State.
Junior Courtney Barnes, from Franklin, Tenn., led the team with 14 kills, and Passmore, along with lone senior Cassie Connor, from Willow Springs Ill., had a team-high 13 digs.
"Paula has really brought this team positive energy," junior Jessica Scott, from Lawrence, Kan., said. "Her performance and leadership on and off the court shows she is a special player for this team."
The Mocs are a young team with 7 freshmen on the roster.
"We are not a very experienced team this year," Passmore said. "We are using this as a rebuilding year. We are learning each other's strengths and weaknesses on the floor."
The freshmen teammates are excited for her achievments and feel she pushes everyone to improve, Onikeku said.
"Paula is doing great," freshman Erica Cowart, from Chattanooga, said. "She deserves being on top because she works hard and is very talented. Her work ethic pushes us all to be better."
The Lady Mocs close their season Saturday at Davidson.
