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Volleyball Celebrates Senior Day
Posted: Oct 20, 2012

Volleyball Celebrates Senior Day

COLUMBIA, S.C. -  The Columbia College Volleyball program honorED this years 2012 senior team members: Ashley Hardesty, Aarika Munro, Tara Prater, and Taylor Sellers.  The 2009 recruiting class currently has a combined record of 77-42. This class has competed in both the Southern States Athletic Conference and the Appalachian Athletic Conference and was the class that lead the Volleyball program to 3 straight consecutive winning records, 3 straight post-season appearances, and a semi-final conference tournament appearance in 2011. 

 Ashley Hardesty came to Columbia College in 2009 from Peidmont, SC. While at Columbia College Ashley has tallied 63 Kills, 54 Digs, and competed in 73 games. Ashley was honored in 2010 with the Columbia College Volleyball Coach’s award for her dedication and champion of character attitude. Ashley has served as one of this year’s captains and plans on graduating in May with a degree in Psychology. 
 

Aarika joined the Columbia College Volleyball program in 2009 from Brea. CA.  Since 2009, Aarika has competed for the Fighting Koalas in a total of 262 games. She has tallied 441 kills, 617 digs, and 69 aces. In 2009 Aarika was named to the SSAC 1st team all conference. Aarika was awarded the Columbia College Volleyball Coach’s award in 2011 and was honored as an AAC Player of the week. In 2012 she was named to the Mountain Madness All-Tournament Team and has served as one of this year’s captains. Aarika plans on graduating in May with a degree in Communications.

Tara came to Columbia College in 2009 from San Dimas, CA.  While at Columbia Tara has competed in 380 games and is the only player in Columbia College Volleyball History to reach the milestone of 1000 kills. Was the first athlete in Columbia College volleyball history to be named as the SSAC Volleyball Player of the week. Tara has tallied 1116 kills, 739 digs, and stands at 198 aces. Tara was named as the SSAC Freshman of Year in 2009 and was honored on the 1st team all conference, and was Columbia College Volleyball’s MVP. In 2010, the Columbia College Athletic Department honored Tara as the reciepient of the Lucielle Godbold scholarship. In 2011 Tara was named to the AAC 1st team all-conference and has served as a captain for the past three seasons. Tara plans on graduating in May with a degree in Business and Communications.

Taylor Sellers. Taylor joined the Columbia College Volleyball program in 2009 from Chandler, AZ.  Taylor has competed for Columbia in 286 games and tallied 546 kills and tallied 159 digs and 68 blocks. In 2010 Taylor received the Columbia College Volleyball Most Improved award and was named to the 2011 Mountain Madness All Tournament Team.  In 2011 Taylor was also honored as the AAC Hitter of the week twice and was also the recipient of the Columbia College Athletic department’s Lucielle Goldbold scholarship. Taylor has also lead her team this year as one of the four captains, and plans on graduating in May with a degree in Psychology.
 

Head Coach, Katie Welsh had this to say about her seniors, “I have challenged them throughout this season to -leave a legacy that won’t be forgotten. I’m proud to say they have not only met that challenge be exceeded my expectations. These four women have exactly what every student-athlete should have upon their senior season: Integrity, Maturity, Humility and the ability to be compassionate. Words cannot express what their leadership has meant to me and this team.”

Columbia stands at 6-7 in the AAC and look to improve their conference record in this last stretch as they go on the road this next week as they face, Morris College, Reinhardt, and Point.