Sophomore Kanoe Pupuhi is one of six returning players for San Jacinto College volleyball this season. Photo credit: Amanda L. Booren, San Jacinto College marketing department.

San Jacinto College volleyball ranked fourth in NJCAA preseason poll

Amanda L. Booren -- August 14, 2012

PASADENA, Texas – The San Jacinto College volleyball team opens the 2012 season ranked fourth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) preseason poll.

San Jac returns six sophomores from last year’s squad that finished fourth in the nation with a 32-5 overall record. Head Coach Sharon Nelson, who will begin her 11^th season at the helm of the San Jacinto College volleyball program, is excited about the upcoming season.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the national committee and to be ranked fourth in the preseason poll,” said Nelson. “There are a lot of new teams squeezing into the top 20, and that is great for the sport of volleyball to have so many competitive programs in the NJCAA.”

Nelson and her squad open the season August 23-25 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the Iowa Western Invitational Tournament, where they will face national powerhouses Eastern Arizona College, Western Wyoming Community College, Western Nebraska Community College, and host Iowa Western Community College.

Among the six returning players for San Jacinto College this season are setter Kanoe Pupuhi (Kahalu’u, Hawaii / Roosevelt HS), outside hitter Marie-Pierre Bakima (Nogent-sur-Oise, France / Lycee Emmanuel Mounier), and middle blocker Marlaina Pleydle (Victorville, Calif. / Victor Valley HS). Pupuhi was the 2011 Region XIV co-setter of the year. She averaged 1.71 digs per set, and 10.31 assists per set, a mark that was eighth in the nation. Bakima was the Region XIV newcomer of the year. She ranked second on the squad in kills per set with a 2.83 mark, and was second in digs with 362 total. Pleydle hit .295 last season with a 1.33 kills per set average. She posted a team-best 158 total blocks, for a 1.41 per set mark, third best in the country. All three were first-team All-conference selections.

“Our squad has been working diligently,” added Nelson, who is four wins shy of 300 for her career. “They are a dynamic group with a great deal of talent.”

College of Southern Idaho tops the NJCAA preseason poll, followed by Tyler Junior College, College of Central Florida, San Jacinto College, and Western Wyoming Community College. For a complete list of the NJCAA Division I women’s volleyball preseason top 20, visit the NJCAA website.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.