History
Program History
Panola Volleyball has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success over the last six years. The program has been fortunate enough to have the support of administration and the fans, as well as the athletic talent to secure four conference championships its first five seasons of competition.
Panola College began its women's intercollegiate volleyball program in 1996 with instant success. The staff and players "clicked" instantly as the team far exceeded the expectations anyone could have had for a first year program. The team finished the season with an overall record of 20-6 and 11-1 in conference play, enough to secure Panola's first conference championship.
Since 1996, Panola Volleyball has steadily improved, and the 1997 through 2001 teams are no exception. The 1997 season saw Panola's first graduating class and a host of team and individual honors from individual national ranking to an undefeated conference season. Panola athletes also began receiving recognition from four-year schools with two athletes receiving athletic scholarships and deciding to move on and continue their playing career. The 1998 team continued the Panola tradition with more conference leading play. With a overall record of 30-10 and conference record of 10-2, Panola continued to lead the Region 14 Eastern Texas Conference and secured a third straight championship. Three more athletes subsequently received athletic scholarship offers and continued their playing career for two more years.
Conference championships proved not to be enough to satisfy the 1999 Fillies as they marked their season with the most successful playoff run of any Panola team up to that time. Panola ended the season with an overall record of 30-16, a conference record of 9-3, a trip to the regional final match, and an end-of-year second place ranking in Region 14. The 1999 trip to the regional final match was the first for Panola Volleyball and established Panola College as a regional powerhouse as well as a consistent conference championship team. The 2000 season subsequently began where the 1999 team left off and remains as the most talented and successful Panola College Volleyball team to date. The team of 2000 placed Panola as a national contender with a consistent 12th place ranking in the NJCAA national poll, which ranks the nation's 20 best teams on a weekly basis. An outstanding overall record of 40-5, an undefeated conference record of 11-0, a fourth Eastern Texas Conference Championship, a return trip to the Region 14 regional final match, and an end of season second place ranking in Region 14 validated this team and placed them in the recordbooks.
The 2001 season appeared by most to be a rebuilding year with only three returning sophomores and a young group of talented freshmen. Panola shocked everyone with national quality play against some of the best teams in the country and its fifth conference championship season. They ended the season with an overall record of 33-14, a conference record of 11-1, and a trip to the semi-final round of regional playoff action leaving Panola with an experienced group of young ladies to return in 2002.
The Panola Volleyball
staff is very proud of the effort, determination, and perseverance of all
its current and past athletes. Any and all accomplishments are considered
a reflection of everyone's diligence and the program's pursuit of excellence.
PANOLA ALUMNI ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
2007, Lauren Secord- Dallas Baptist University
2007, Nikki Morin- University of Louisiana-Monroe
2006, Jody Berglund- Montana State Northern University
2006, Amy Maurer- Montana State Northern University
2006, Laura de la Fuente- Prarie View A&M University
2005, Rachelle Aupperle- Bethune -Cookman Univeristy
2005, Jo-Ellen Felton- Coppin State University
2005, Valerie Haven- Valdosta State University
2002, Shana Aubrey- Columbia College at Missouri
2002, Lindsay Simpson- East Texas Baptist University
2002, Kelli Rhoades- Southern Arkansas State University
2002, Courtney Lewis- Texas Women's University
2001, Natalie Shipp -
Louisiana Tech University
2001, Melissa Bullion - Jacksonville University
2000, LaToya Washington - Alcorn State University
2000, Julie Tarnawa - University of Louisiana at Monroe
2000, Rheanna Arnold - Southwest Texas State University
2000, Destinee Richie - East Carolina University
2000, Heather Young - Midwestern State University
2000, Brandi Robberson - Midwestern State University
1999, Casey Dennard - Augusta State University
1998, Kim Evans - University of California at Davis
1998, Angie Stinson - Lamar University
1998, Shana Coates - Texas Southern University
1998, Kendra Good - Augusta State University
1997, Scheryal Lane - Auburn University
1997, Melissa Hay - Augusta State University
PANOLA ALUMNI ALL-AMERICANS:
2005, Rachelle Aupperle- Distinguished Academic All-American
2000, Heather Young
- Distinguished Academic All-American
1997, Julie Gates - Distinguished Academic All-American