All Entries in the "Volleyball" Category

Volleyball veteran in line for academic award

By AMY ZAMBRANO

Year after year, many athletes want to join Pima Community College teams. Only those willing to leave their hearts on the court make it.

Czarina Schutt, 19, is one athlete who made a name for herself on the PCC volleyball team. Her coach, Dan Bithell, named her team captain this season because of her experience and leadership skills.

In addition to making a good impression on the court, she has proven to be a very intellectual athlete. She is in line to receive a prestigious academic award, the Academic All-American awarded by the National Junior College Athlete Association.

This season was Schutt’s last with the team. She feels she made it worth it, as she improved on her leadership skills and improved as a team player.

“As a team we have improved a lot,” she said. “Looking at us from the beginning, we are a different team now.”

The PCC volleyball team struggled to win matches but it didn’t keep Schutt from giving her best effort. She pushed the team hard and encouraged her teammates to do better every day.

Czarina has been a key player for the team, Bithell said. There were times she was doing the work of three people on the court.

She showed high potential, gave direction to the team and built a good road for the younger players, Bithell said.

Schutt said she had fun, enjoying good chemistry with her teammates and making many friends.

For pre-game preparation, she ate a healthy meal— usually salads— to help her feel light during the game. Though she has little free time, she enjoys going out to eat sushi.

Schutt must keep up her grades to be eligible for the academic award, and wait until the end of the semester for her grades to be posted. Until then, she’s working hard, especially at science.

Her plans are to finish her science classes at Pima, then leave Tucson for a college in California to study pharmacy.

Bithell said she set a legacy.

“Hopefully her hard work this season pays off, and her leadership will move on to next year,” he said.

Czarina Schutt is in the running for the Academic All-American award.

Season ends with losses

By AMY ZAMBRANO

The Pima Community College volleyball team concluded the season with losses against Mesa and South Mountain community colleges.

The (3-21-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) Aztecs hoped to finish their season strong but instead came home empty-handed.

The team had an 11-game losing streak, then three wins at a San Diego tournament, followed by a 12-game losing streak.

“It was a very inexperienced team, and we needed to focus on working hard until the end,” coach Dan Bithell said. “We just haven’t learned how to close things out in each game.”

The team drove to Phoenix on Oct. 28 to play its final match of the season against South Mountain. Pima lost three sets in a row. South Mountain opened the match with an 18-25 win, followed by 22-25 and 15-25 point victories.

Mesa visited Aztec territory on Oct. 26 for Pima’s final home match. The Aztecs won one of four sets.

“It was a high-level game and we gave them a good fight, but we had some unforced errors,” Bithell said.

Freshmen offensive leader Kaylee Rakowski made 10 kills. Freshmen libero Brittany Oddo had 15 digs and two service aces. Sophomore setter Czarina Schutt contributed with three aces and freshmen setter Kami Humphrey served three aces and made three blocks.

Bithell expects a better season next year.

“I do plan on getting people who want to work hard for the team,” he said. “I expect much more for next year.”

Season ends with losses.

The Pima Community College volleyball team concluded the season with losses against Mesa and South Mountain community colleges.

The (3-21-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) Aztecs hoped to finish their season strong but instead came home empty-handed.

The team had an 11-game losing streak, then three wins at a San Diego tournament, followed by a 12-game losing streak.

“It was a very inexperienced team, and we needed to focus on working hard until the end,” coach Dan Bithell said. “We just haven’t learned how to close things out in each game.”

The team drove to Phoenix on Oct. 28 to play its final match of the season against South Mountain. Pima lost three sets in a row. South Mountain opened the match with an 18-25 win, followed by 22-25 and 15-25 point victories.

Mesa visited Aztec territory on Oct. 26 for Pima’s final home match. The Aztecs won one of four sets.

“It was a high-level game and we gave them a good fight, but we had some unforced errors,” Bithell said.

Freshmen offensive leader Kaylee Rakowski made 10 kills. Freshmen libero Brittany Oddo had 15 digs and two service aces. Sophomore setter Czarina Schutt contributed with three aces and freshmen setter Kami Humphrey served three aces and made three blocks.

Bithell expects a better season next year.

“I do plan on getting people who want to work hard for the team,” he said. “I expect much more for next year.”

Volleyball season comes to an end

By AMY ZAMBRANO

The Pima Community College Volleyball team concluded the season with losses against Mesa Community College and South Mountain Community College.

The (3-21-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) Aztecs hoped to finish their season strong but instead came home empty handed.

The team had an 11-game losing streak, then three wins at a San Diego tournament, followed by a 12-game losing streak.

“It was a very inexperienced team, and we needed to focus on working hard until the end,” coach Dan Bithell said. “We just haven’t learned how to close things out in each game.”

The team drove to Phoenix on Oct. 28 to play its final match of the season against South Mountain. Pima lost three sets in a row. South Mountain opened the match with an 18-25 win, followed by 22-25 and 15-25 point victories.

Mesa visited Aztec territory on Oct. 26 for Pima’s final home match. The Aztecs gave Mesa a fight as they won one of four very tough sets.

“It was a high-level game and we gave them a good fight,” Bithell said, “but like I said before, we had some unforced errors.”

Freshmen offensive leader Kaylee Rakowski made 10 kills for the team. Freshmen libero Brittany Oddo played well with 15 digs and two service aces in the conference loss. Sophomore setter Czarina Schutt contributed with three aces and freshmen setter Kami Humphrey served three aces and made three blocks.

Next year seems far off for Bithell, but he expects a better season next year.

“I do plan on getting people who want to work hard for the team,” he said. “I expect much more for next year.”

——–

By AMY ZAMBRANO

The Pima Community College volleyball season is almost over and the team’s expectation is to finish strong.

“We just want to be able to finish this season on a positive note,” freshmen setter Kami Humphrey said. “We want to finish the season strong.”

The (3-20, 0-14 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) Aztecs could not keep up with Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Eastern Arizona College or Central Arizona College in their most recent matches.

The Aztecs lost 3-0 to Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Oct. 21. The first and closest set was lost 25-21, while the second and third sets were lost 25-13 and 25-19.

The team lost three sets to none in an away match against Eastern Arizona on Oct. 19. The first and second sets were lost 25-19, 25-14. The third and final set went to Eastern Arizona with a score of 25-15.

Pima lost a home match against Central Arizona on Oct. 14.

The Aztecs opened the best-of-five match with a 25-22 win, but lost the next three games 25-23, 25-20 and 25-17.

Freshman outside hitter Kalee Rakowski led the team with 15 total kills. Kami Humphrey had a good two-way match with 18 assists and four blocks. Freshman libero Brittany Oddo contributed 13 digs for the team in the conference loss.

Coach Dan Bithell said he is proud of the players and their hard work during the season.

“We played many physical imposing teams and we were not intimidated,” he said. “We just let the season slip away from us because of unforced errors, but overall worked very hard.”

Pima had its final home match of the 2011 season Oct. 26 against Mesa Community College and its final match against South Mountain Community College Oct. 28.

Freshman libero Brittany Oddo makes an effort to keep the ball in play.

From the archives: Bithell has coached volleyball for a decade

By MYLO ERICKSON

Dan Bithell has been the head coach of the Aztec Women’s Volleyball team since 2000 when he took over for Heather Moore. Bithell was the assistant coach for the team for six years prior.

 The season before Bithell replaced Moore as the head coach of the Lady Aztecs, they’re record was 1-17 in conference play.

 This season the Aztecs are 0-17 in conference play with three more matches to be played. The team has won three matches this season, but they all came against non-member schools.

 Coach Bithell had stated in a 2000 issue of the Aztec Press saying that the team at the time just didn’t have the proper chemistry. He also said “This is the most difficult conference in the nation,”in the same issue.

 Bithell has lead the Aztecs to three ACCAC Regional Playoffs and led them to their best record (16-15 overall and 11-14 in conference play) in 2006. He has also produced five all-conference and all-region selections.

He also has one NJCAA All-American and nine NJCAA Academic All-Americans, plus he has coached three that have been recognized as a fall All-Academic team.

 Bithell was hoping for more community support back in 2000. He does feel that they have received more support from the community since then, but feels there could be more.

He would like to see some more media coverage for all the teams at Pima since it’s one of two colleges in Tucson.

“We have some terrific nationally recognized teams and it would be great to see them playing in front of packed crowds,” Bithell said

Aztecs dig themselves into a deeper hole with three consecutive losses

By AMY ZAMBRANO

After breaking an 11-match losing streak, the Pima Community College volleyball team suffered three tough losses.

Pima (3-14, 0-9, Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) couldn’t win its last three matches, against Phoenix College, Scottsdale Community College and Yavapai College.

The Aztecs lost a home match, 3-0, against Phoenix on Oct. 7. They lost the first set 25-18 and the second set 25-16. The third set was very close but Pima lost 25-22.

On Sept. 30, Scottsdale crushed the Aztecs in three sets. They lost their first two sets 25-14 and the last set 25-18.

Head coach Dan Bithell said freshman setters Kami Humphrey and sophomore Czarina Schutt lead Pima’s offense at the Scottsdale match.

“I felt like we didn’t put in a lot of physical effort,” Bithell said. “Any time that we’re not in a position to play our hardest, we are not going to be very successful and so that’s kind of the way that it went.”

On Sept. 28, Pima team lost 3-0 in a road conference match against Yavapai.

Freshman outside hitter Megan Dorris led the Pima offensive effort with five kills. Aztec team captain Czarina Schutt played a solid two-way match with 17 assists and four digs. Humphrey also played well at the net, making three blocks.

“I felt that we played a little better but again just not with the consistency that we really needed to win that game,” Bithell said.

The coach said he expects to win.

“I feel if we are able to kind of put our best effort out there we can compete with anybody and obviously if that is what we can do I like our chances.” Bithell said.

Pima’s closes out the season with a home match and two road matches before Sophomore Night on Oct. 26 against Mesa Commuity College at 7 p.m.

Czarina Schutt makes dig in match with Phoenix on Oct. 7

ONLINE EXTRA: PCC serves up their first wins of the year

Story and video by JOEL GANTT

The Pima Community College volleyball team snapped their 11-match losing streak on a successful trip to California.

The Aztecs (3-12, 0-8 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) took fifth place at the San Diego City College Tournament on Sept. 24.

“We are just about to mid-season and this would be a nice time for us to get on a run,” head Coach Dan Bithell said.

The Aztecs defeated College of the Desert (Calif.) in straight sets with scores of 25-22 and 25-17. Pima also beat the hosting school, San Diego City College, in straight sets, 25-16 and 25-12.

Pima was matched up with Cypress (Calif.) College in their first playoff round of the tournament. After winning the first set 25-18, Pima lost the second and third and deciding set with scores of 25-17, and 15-13.

The Aztecs lost their final, single-set match of the tournament 25-19 to Citrus (Calif.) College. The play of freshman middle blocker Kendra Hall gave her a spot on the all-tournament team.

Pima earned their first victory of the season in El Cajon, California where they faced of with Cuyamaca College on Friday Sept. 23. The Aztecs lost the first set in the best-of-five match 25-22, but won three sets in a row with scores of 25-11, 25-18 and 25-23 to close out the match.

Hall had 14 kills and four blocks and sophomore setter Czarina Schutt had 33 assists in the match. The defense was led by freshman libero Brittany Oddo, who also had four service aces on the night.

The Aztecs were able to win a set in their home-match with No. 9 Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Wednesday Sept. 21. Pima lost the first set 25-17 but won set two 27-25.

Sets three and four went to Chandler-Gilbert with scores of 25-20 and 25-19, giving Pima the 3-1 loss.

Oddo led the team with 13 digs and Hall had four blocks against big hitters of Chandler-Gilbert.

“Chandler-Gilbert is one of the top teams with two of the top bigs in the conference,” Bithell said. “Kendra Hall held her own against them.”

Pima was at home for the second night in a row on Tuesday Sept. 20 where they hosted South Mountain Community College. The Aztecs held leads in all three sets but lost them all with scores of 25-13, 25-21 and 25-21.

“I like the way we are responding,” Bithell said. “We didn’t have a great physical or mental match against South Mountain, but we responded well agains Chandler-Gilbert.”

On Friday Sept. 16 Pima played at Mesa Community College. They lost sets one and two 25-17 and 25-15 but pushed the match to four sets when they won set three 25-22. Mesa became victorious when they won set four 25-22.

Pima pushed their match with Phoenix College to four sets on Wednesday Sept. 14. They lost set one 25-13 but they won their first conference set of the season by a score of 25-20 in set two.

The next sets were won by Phoenix College with scores of 25-19 and 25-20.

Despite being last in the ACCAC, the Aztecs are high in the statistical standings. Hall is tied for second in the conference with a 1.04 blocks per set average. She is also second in the ACCAC in hitting efficiency with 55 kills in 98 attempts.

Humphrey is 10th in the ACCAC with an 0.41 aces per set average. Humphrey is also 8th in the conference with a 0.72 blocks per set average.

Schutt is ninth in the conference, averaging 7.17 assists per set. Schutt leads Pima with 208 sets.

Oddo is 6th in the ACCAC in digs per set average. Oddo has 94 digs this season.

Freshman outside hitter Kaylee Rakowski is ninth in the conference with a 2.65 kill per set average. Rakowski leads the team with 77 kills.

Kami Humphrey elevated for the kill. Aztec Press photo by James Kelley.

Next match: Sept. 30 at Scottsdale CC 7 p.m.

Next home match: Oct. 7 vs. Phoenix College 7 p.m

Conference match: Oct. 12 at Glendale CC 7 p.m.

By the numbers

59
Points scored by the Pima football team in the season opener versus Sonora Institute of Technology

35
Points given up by the football team in its second game against Glendale Community College

46
Points given up by the football team in its home opener against Scottsdale Community College

15
Goals scored by the men’s soccer team against South Mountain Community College, a PCC single game goals record

15th
Women’s soccer season this year

7
Match losing streak for the volleyball team to start the season

13
Match losing streak the volleyball team endured to start the 2010 season

18:34
5K time by freshman Jamie Shrader in cross country’s first meet, the best junior college time in the nation this year

5
National ranking of the women’s cross country team

10
National ranking of the men’s cross country team

7
Game road trips for the men’s soccer team to start the season

Sources:
Pima Community College, National Junior College Athletic Association

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ONLINE EXTRA: Young volleyball still seeking first win

Editor’s note: the Aztecs lost 3-1 to Phoenix on Sept. 14

Story, photo and video by JOEL GANTT

The Pima Community College volleyball team traveled to Phoenix for a tournament where they played four matches over two days but the results were all too familiar.

The Aztecs (0-7, 0-3 in Arizona Community College Athletic Conference play) traveled to the Scottsdale Classic Tournament, Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 where they lost all four matches.

Pima opened with a 2-0 loss to Mesa Community College, 25-20 and 28-26. Then the Aztecs lost 2-0 to New Mexico Military Institute, 25-18 and 25-13.

PCC closed out Sept. 9 with a 2-0 loss to Utah State University – College of Eastern Utah 25-22 and 25-14. The Aztecs finished the tournament on Sept. 10 with a 2-0 (25-18 and 25-14) loss to Central Wyoming College.

Kaylee Rakowski goes for a spike

Pima has not won a conference set since losing 3-1 to No. 18 Arizona Western College to start the year. Last season the Aztecs started with a 13-match losing streak, also with a team of mostly freshmen.

Pima is led by their team captain and lone sophomore, setter Czarina Schutt who leads the team in assists.

“Our team can be very good, sometimes we need to stop thinking so much and just play,” Schutt said. “Consistency will come with experience.”

On Sept. 7 Pima hosted a match against No. 6 Glendale Community College. Pima lost all three sets to Glendale with scores of 25-16, 25-11 and 25-18 respectively.

Schutt led the team with 18 assists; a majority of her assists went to freshman middle blocker Kendra Hall who had a team high five kills. Freshman libero, Brittany Oddo led the Pima defense with six digs on the night.

One week before their match with Glendale they hosted a conference match against Scottsdale Community College.

The first set was close as Pima lost 25-22; sets two and three also went to the Fighting Artichokes with scores of 25-19 and 25-15.

In the loss to Scottsdale freshman outside hitter Kaylee Rakowski had a team high six kills. Schutt had 17 assists and freshman setter Kami Humphrey led the defense with eight digs.
On Sept. 2 Pima had a successful scrimmage against alumni. The Dig Pink match was held to raise funds for breast cancer awareness.

The team will carry this theme for the rest of the season and head coach Dan Bithell urges fans and students to wear pink to all home games this season.

In order to continue fundraising the team is selling pink Aztec volleyball shirts for $15 that will be available at home games and in Bithell’s office, located in the gymnasium.

The next match will be Wednesday Sept. 14 at Phoenix College at 7 p.m. The next home match will be Tuesday, Sept. 20, against South Mountain Community College at 7 p.m.

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On Deck
Sept. 16: @ Mesa CC,
7 p.m.
Sept. 20: South Mountain CC, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21: Chandler-Gilbert CC, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: @ Cuyamaca
(Calif.) College, 5 p.m.
Sept. 24: San Diego City College Tournament
(San Diego)
Sept. 28: @ Yavapai College, 7 p.m.
All home matches are at the West Campus.

Volleyball: Youth is served by 10 freshmen

Editor’s note: The Aztecs lost 3-0 to Scottsdale on Aug. 31

By JOEL GANTT
Photo by James Kelley

The 2011 volleyball season is under way as Pima Community College begins with four home matches.

Their first match was Friday Aug. 26 with last year’s conference champion, Arizona Western College.

Pima (0-1, 0-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) played a solid all-around match taking the No. 11 ranked team four games deep. Pima lost game one 25-21, then won game two 26-24. Game three went to AWC 25-16 and they closed the match out with a 25-20 game four win over Pima.

Aztec freshman Kaylee Rakowski played well on offense with 12 kills and contributed on defense with nine digs. Pima’s lone sophomore Czarina Schutt had 38 assists and served two aces, while freshman Brittany Oddo led the team with 14 digs.

Friday Sept. 2 is a special day in the volleyball schedule. Pima will host an alumni match entitled the Dig Pink Match. Dig Pink refers to the combination of Pima volleyball and fundraising for breast cancer awareness.

This match will start at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a barbecue. Admission is free for students and all donations will be given to breast cancer research.

The team is filled with 10 freshmen including twin sisters Kaylin and Kami Humphrey from Canyon Del Oro High School.

Kaylee Rakowski

Head coach Dan Bithell is in his 12th year with the program. Victoria Haynie, who is in her first year with the program, will be the only assistant coach. Bithell’s goal for his team this season is to qualify for the playoffs in November.

“It will be interesting to see how this team will respond to the stress and pressure of college volleyball,” Bithell said. “This is a hardworking team that is very talented.”
Last year the Aztecs were 8-23 and 3-15 in the ACCAC.

Pima students will be able to attend all games free of admission. Home games will be in the gym at west campus on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.

On Deck
Sept. 2: Alumni Dig Pink Match, 5 p.m.
Sept. 7: Glendale CC,
7 p.m.
Sept. 9-10: Scottsdale
Tournament (Scottsdale)
Sept. 14: @ Phoenix College, 7 p.m.
All home matches are at the West Campus.

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ONLINE EXTRA: 2011 Volleyball schedule

Photo by ED ADAMS

Home Court: West Campus Gym
Admission: Free for regular season matches

Saturday August 13 Preseason Tournament (Scrimmage) Scottsdale All Day
Monday August 22 AZ Christian University (Scrimmage) Phoenix 3 p.m.
Friday August 26 *ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE : L 3-1
Wednesday August 31 *SCOTTSDALE CC : L 3-0
Friday September 2 ALUMNI – DIG PINK MATCH 7 p.m.
Wednesday September 7 *GLENDALE CC 7 p.m.
Friday September 9 Scottsdale Classic Tournament (Scottsdale) TBA
Saturday September 10 Scottsdale Classic Tournament (Scottsdale) TBA
Wednesday September 14 @ *Phoenix College 7 p.m.
Friday September 16 @ *Mesa CC 7 p.m.
Tuesday September 20 *SOUTH MOUNTAIN CC 7 p.m.
Wednesday September 21 *CHANDLER-GILBERT CC 7 p.m.
Friday September 23 @ Cuyamaca College 7 p.m.
Saturday September 24 San Diego City College Tournament (San Diego) TBA
Wednesday September 28 @ *Yavapai College 7 p.m.
Friday September 30 @ *Scottsdale CC 7 p.m.
Friday October 7 *PHOENIX COLLEGE 7 p.m.
Wednesday October 12 @ *Glendale CC 7 p.m.
Friday October 14 *CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE 7 p.m.
Wednesday October 19 @ *Eastern Arizona College 7 p.m.
Friday October 21 @ *Chandler-Gilbert CC 7 p.m.
Wednesday October 26 *MESA CC 7 p.m.
Thursday November 3-Saturday November 5 NJCAA Region I, Div. II Playoffs (@ No. 1 Seed) TBA
Thursday November 17-Saturday November 19 NJCAA Div. II National Championships (Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.) TBA

*ACCAC match
Home matches in BOLD

Amanda Daly and Shannon McCullough

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Early Pima newspapers record beginning of Aztec Sports

By JAMES KELLEY

Pima Community College student newspapers and Aztec sports both had humble and confusing beginnings.

The college held its first classes in 1969 and officially opened in 1970, but the start of the Aztec Press and Pima sports are a bit more hazy.

A student newspaper named Graffiti Press started in 1970. That was the first of six names before the publication became Aztec Press in 1981.

A “Department of Mass Communications” launched a publication called Campus News in 1973. The Library of Congress believes that newspaper evolved into the Aztec Press after a few name changes, but is also unsure when publication of the Graffiti Press ceased.

In 1975, the Campus News newspaper and Pima's athletic department held a logo contest.

In the sports arena, Pima’s first athletes played on club teams.

A judo martial arts team started in 1970, and was the first Pima team to advance to Nationals. It even hosted Nationals in 1974, where it finished second.

In 1971, teams included “girls’” volleyball, men’s softball (Pima Suns) and baseball (Pima Giants.) Softball and baseball played in a city league, while against teams like Frontier Liquor and the Jewish Community Center.

Intercollegiate sports officially began in 1973, when Pima launched men’s cross country, wrestling, men’s basketball, men’s track and baseball teams.

The athletic department celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pima sports in 1995, but now considers 1973 its launch year.

A 1973 fencing team won Pima’s first trophy.

In 1974, when only men played on the golf team, coach Bill Johnson was 20 years old. He coached one player who was 42 and another who was 30 years old.

The first successful team sport was “girls’” basketball, which in 1975 notched Pima’s first back-to-back winning seasons.

During the 1970s, the Campus News played a significant role with Pima’s logos.

In a Sept. 28, 1973 story, the CN explained Pima’s logo, designed by Gill Kenny, coordinator of Communigraphics and Reprographics Services. The logo is a “stylized ‘P’” that is repeated in a circle and is used today.

In 1975, the Campus News and the athletic department sponsored a “Draw the Aztec” contest after the sports editor and Pima’s first athletic director, Larry Toledo, decided the college needed an Aztec logo to go with the standard circle “P” logo.

Pima's logo is a "stylized P," repeated and highlighted here in orange, PCC's orignal color.

The contest offered more than $200 in prizes, including a $100 scholarship.

In May 1975, judges chose a logo by design major Bob Einfrank. The multi-Aztec head was put on sports uniforms and used as the newspaper’s logo.

The athletic department drew criticism in the 2000s when it began limiting recruitment to in-state athletes, but the philosophy was not new. Pima originally recruited only Tucson athletes, though it welcomed out-of-state athletes who decided on their own to enroll.

Pima’s most recent sport – football – was almost one of the first. In the mid-1970s, it seemed likely that football would be added, but the program stalled when voters rejected a $9.5 million bond by an almost 2-1 margin. Football was eventually added in 2001.

The Campus News alternately supported and trashed the potential football team.

A 1974 column said Pima students should follow Scottsdale Community College’s lead. At Scottsdale, students voted against a football team. When the school added one anyway, students voted to name the team the “Fighting Artichokes” and make pink their color.

In the early 1970s, PCC teams didn’t have an on-campus gym or home fields. The school did have cheerleaders and song leaders, and composers were working on a fight song. Two “authentic” Aztec mascots were also in the works.

Men’s basketball got off to a grand start in 1973, hosting the International Friendship Festival Tournament that opened on (tape delayed) TV. The athletic director, Toledo, gave 1,000 free tickets to students.

The start of Aztec sports coincided with the 1972 adoption of Title IX, the federal legislation that forbids schools to discriminate on the basis of gender.

Gradually, Pima’s female sports teams moved from club to varsity status and changed their names from “girls’” to “women’s.”

Progress wasn’t immediate. In 1974, Pima’s first women’s softball team had just 12 players. Stories didn’t indicate how many outfielders the team used.

In a 1974 story, the Campus News revealed that both basketball teams shared locker rooms. The men dressed while the females were playing their second half, and the women changed during the guys’ game.

The Arizona Community College Athletic Conference voted in 1975 to add women’s sports.

Only a few Pima teams (cross country, volleyball and baseball) currently compete against four-year schools. In the 1970s, however, the Aztecs regularly played university club teams.

If it had added football, Pima would have played junior varsity teams from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.

The men’s basketball team did play against JV teams, and the Campus News couldn’t resist an occasionally snarky comment. When Pima beat UA’s JV team in 1975, a cutline said the Aztecs beat the “Wildkittens” 95-71.

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Aztec Press History
Graffiti Press: 1970-1973
Campus News: 1973-1977
The Downtowner: 1975-1981
Aztec Campus News: 1977-1978
Aztec News: 1978-1981
Aztec Press (merger of Downtowner and Aztec News): 1981-1986
Aztec: 1986-1987
Aztec Press: 1987-
AztecPressOnline.com: 2010-

Volleyball drops last two matches

By Eric Townsend
Photo by Ed Adams

aztecpress@pima.edu

After pulling off back-to-back road wins, the Pima Community College volleyball team hoped to finish its season strong, but instead came up empty handed after a pair of tough losses.

Pima (8-23, 3-15 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) did not qualify for the playoffs. The team had a 12-match losing streak to start the season and a seven-match losing streak in October, but the young team will be filled with veterans next year.

“This group lacks experience,” head coach Dan Bithell said. “In this conference, for us, it’s not about talent, it’s how we handle ourselves.”

Entering their match against Arizona Western College on Oct. 27, the Aztecs were coming off a two-game winning streak.

The visiting Matadors made quick work of the Aztecs, sweeping them in three straight matches. AWC won 25-21 in the first two sets, then cruised in the final set by a score of 25-14.

Heather Paddock

Freshman outside hitter Angie Banks led the Aztecs with 12 kills in the match. Freshman setter Czarina Schutt led the team with 27 assists.

“Overall, I was pleased with our match against Arizona Western,” Bithell said. “They’re just a good team that went on to win their region.”

The Aztecs went north to play Mesa Community College on Oct. 30, in what would be the final match of the season. Coming into the match, Mesa was last in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.

Pima opened play by winning the first two sets 25-17 and 25-16. Needing to win just one more set, the Aztecs failed to capitalize.

“Hope is a powerful thing,” Bithell said. “In this tough conference, if you give a team hope, they’ll run with it.”

Pima dropped the next two sets 27-29 and 24-26, then lost the final set 10-15.

“As the season progressed, we got better,” Bithell said. “I was really pleased the last couple weeks of the season.”

Sophomore Krista Kallish was named to the All-ACCAC Team with an honorable mention nod.

The outside hitter led the team in kills with just over three per game and was second amongst the Aztecs in digs per game with an average of just over two per game.

“It’s gonna be a long road,” Bithell said. “But I think we have some good pieces coming back next year.”

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Volleyball falls short of playoffs

By Eric Townsend
Photo by Ed Adams
aztecpress@pima.edu

The Pima Community College volleyball team lost seven straight to end its playoff chances, but responded with a perfect road trip.

On Oct. 22 and Oct. 23, the Aztecs (8-21, 3-13 Arizona Community College Athletic Association) earned their first consecutive three-game sweeps.

“After we realized our playoff hopes were eliminated, it can be difficult to finish out the season strong,” head coach Dan Bithell said. “But I felt we were on the same page, staying with each other, and working for each other and staying with the team.”

Amanda Daly and Shannon McCullough

From Oct. 1 to Oct. 20, the Aztecs suffered a seven match losing streak. Pima started the year by losing 12 straight.

“For our freshmen, it’s an experience to understand how difficult it is to win in this conference” Bithell said. “Also to understand the things you need to do to put yourself in a position to win and to get better at the end of the season.”

Pima traveled north on Oct. 22 to face South Mountain Community College. The Aztecs came away victorious, winning in three sets, 25-17, 25-20 and 25-23.

Outsider hitters freshman Angie Banks and sophomore Ashley Hamilton led the Aztecs with 10 kills each. Freshman setter Czarina Schutt had 25 assists and sophomore Jessica Manley played well defensively, contributing 11 digs to the effort.

The next night, Pima played at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. The Aztecs won again in three sets, 25-20, 25-11, 25-18. Sophomore outside hitter Krista Kallish led the offensive attack for the Aztecs with 11 kills. Schutt again played well, adding 30 assists, and Banks played well defensively, leading all Aztecs with 12 digs.

“Last weekend, I felt was a good opportunity for us to be together on a long trip and be able to put together some good things,” Bithell said.

As the season wound down, PCC was just playing for pride. Pima hosted Arizona Western College on Oct. 27 in their last home match. The results were unavailable at press time.

Their last game will be on Friday, Oct. 29, when they travel to Mesa Community College.

“I’m excited about our last week” Bithell said. “We have a chance to win two more.”

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ONLINE EXTRA: Volleyball clings to diminishing playoff hopes

Editor’s note: on Oct. 13, the Aztecs lost 3-1 to No. 17 Glendale

By Ricky Gonzales
Photo and Video by James Kelley

The Pima Community College volleyball team suffered its fourth straight loss on Oct. 8 to Yavapai College in conference play.

The Roughriders took the match in three games, 19-25, 14-25 and 15-25.

“We weren’t focused on any of our first contacts,” coach Dan Bithell said. “We’re going to have to do a much better job if we want to make the playoffs.”

PCC is in the back of the conference, desperately needing wins

“We’re in sixth place out of seven teams,” Bithell said. “We need to finish at least fourth to make it into the playoffs.”

Pima is two matches behind Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College, which are tied for fourth.

Freshman outside hitter Angie Banks led the PCC attack Oct. 8 with nine kills. Freshman setter Czarina Schutt had 28 assists.

Phoenix College beat PCC in five on Oct. 6.

Angie Banks

Sophomore outside hitter Krista Kallish led the way on offense with 13 total kills. She was named conference player of the week for her performance.

“I’m excited about it,” Kallish said. “But I feel like I’m still not playing to my potential.”

Schutt had 27 assists. Freshman middle Shannon McCullough made three total blocks.

The Aztecs also dropped another five-game match to Southwestern College on Oct. 4, 15-25, 25-21, 17-25, 26-24 and 10-15.

Freshman setter Sandy Casillas finished with 30 assists. Kallish had a team-high 13 kills.

Three nights before, the Aztecs could not fight off Scottsdale Community College, losing the match in four games, 20-25, 25-20, 24-26 and 19-25.

Defensively, three players came up with 15 or more digs. Hamilton showed strength at the net with three blocks.

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