"New" volleyball team debuts in their new gym

GOSHEN (Fri., Aug. 15, 2008) - Although their first official match of the season is not until next Tuesday, the 2008 Clinton Christian Couriers volleyball team got some game experience against the Alumni Friday.

An estimated 75 fans watched the Couriers play for the first time at the school's new gym. "New" is the operative word for this year's squad. Junior Jade Hathaway and sophomore Karmen Yoder are the only returning letterwinners for new head coach Jeanette Hathaway.

Hathaway returns to coaching after a four-year stint as a junior varsity coach and varsity assistant for the Couriers from 2002-2005. Her daughter Krystal, a 2008 Clinton graduate, becomes the first Courier alumnus to play collegiate volleyball when he joins the Hesston College women's volleyball team this fall.

Seven sophomores and juniors move up from a 10-3 JV squad to fill the roles left by six seniors plus Emily Hershberger and Janae Horst, neither of whom returned for her senior season. Junior Nicole Hochstetler is the new setter. Other juniors are Kami Miller and Pam Rosas. Megan Troyer, Natalie Bontrager, Katlynne Miller, and Marcy Showalter, all sophomores, round out the roster.

Hathaway says, "I'm excited to be coaching these girls and they're excited to be playing."

Janelle Bontrager enters her first season as the varsity assistant.

The Couriers open the 2008 season at home Tuesday against Mishawaka First Baptist. The school will host the ICSTS Northern Regional Saturday, October 18.

2008 Clinton Christian Couriers
Varsity volleyball roster

Name, Class
*Jade Hathaway, jr.
Nicole Hochstetler, jr.
Kami Miller, jr.
Pam Rosas, jr.
Natalie Bontrager, soph.
Katlynne Miller, soph.
Marcy Showalter, soph.
Megan Troyer, soph.
*Karmen Yoder, soph.

Head coach: Jeanette Hathaway (1st season)
Assistant: Janelle Bontrager
2007 record: 30-6-1 (Third place at the ICSTS state finals)

*Denotes letterwinners