photo by Roger Lee

Ashley Rogers (#3) is one of two starters returning to the Patriot volleyball team this season.

The Fort Dorchester volleyball team opened its season this week with a new coach, five returning varsity lettermen and a Quinn.

Tarshie Burrell took over as the team’s head coach this summer having no experience coaching volleyball, but she has coached girls’ soccer, track and basketball at the school. A former Patriot athlete, she participated in all of the sports during her days as a student.

“It will be a challenge for me because I’ve never coached volleyball, but I’m excited about developing a program,” Burrell said. “I’ve already been out to the middle schools to encourage the kids there to come out for volleyball. Hopefully we can get more athletes involved and I will be able to take what I learned coaching the other sports and apply it to this program. The girls have been great and other coaches have given me some valuable advice.”

Anchoring the team will be four returning seniors – Nneka Gibson, Alisha Coleman, Briana Murray and Ashley Tate. Coleman and Murray are the team captains and Murray is one of two starters returning this year.

The other returning starter is sophomore Ashley Rogers, who has both significant varsity and travel ball experience.

“Alisha is our setter,” Burrell said. “Briana is a dominant server and a good hitter. Ashley is a phenomenal player who I can put anywhere on the court.”

Among the promising group of newcomers to the team is freshman Jasmine Quinn, sister to former Patriot football and wrestling standout Robert Quinn and former football and track standout Miguel Quinn. Burrell is excited about the younger Quinn’s potential and the freshman saw a lot of time on the court during the Fort’s season opening victory Tuesday over Stall.

Other new members of the team looking to make an impact are Alexus Anderson, Kayla Brown, Jessie Williams and Shelby Funches.

“I think with that group back and a good group of players coming up from the JV team we will be strong,” Burrell said. “I’m excited about the season. The players are good about talking to each other and they work together well. We are keeping an open mind and believe anyone we will face can be beat. As long as we keep the right mindset, I think we can be competitive.”

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

Fort Dorchester 2010

Volleyball Schedule

Date           Opponent                                Place           Time

Aug. 31       Stall                                  Fort Dorchester   5:30

Sept. 2        Summerville/Hanahan        Fort Dorchester   5:30

Sept. 8        West Ashley                      Fort Dorchester   5:30

Sept. 14      Beaufort/Goose Creek        Fort Dorchester   5:30

Sept. 16      Stratford/Colleton County   Stratford            5:30

Sept. 20      Goose Creek/Berkeley        Goose Creek       5:30

Sept. 23      James Island/Wando          James Island      5:30

Sept. 29      Stall                                 Stall                   5:30

Sept. 30      Hanahan                           Hanahan            6:30

Oct. 5         Wando/Ashley Ridge           Wando               5:30(2-courts)

Oct. 7         Beaufort                            Beaufort             5:30

Oct. 12       Summerville/Ashley Ridge   Summerville       5:30

Oct. 14       Colleton County                  Fort Dorchester   6:00

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