GRIFFINS READY TO HANG ANOTHER BANNER
- Updated: August 12, 2018
2018 GROSSMONT COLLEGE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON (8-9-2018) – Returning for her 13th season as head coach of the Grossmont College women’s volleyball squad, Jamie Ivers brings forth nothing but candor and the leadership qualities that have led her teams to Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
When questioned about her success?
“Really, I must attribute my success to the players, they buy into a system and a culture,” Ivers said. “We are fortunate to get a lot of kickbacks from kids that are not necessarily happy with the institution they are playing in.”
Ivers was making reference such as D1 transfer from the University of Hawaii, 6-foot-2 freshman SHANEY LIPSCOMB.
Lipscomb has been playing since the tender age of 7 years old, and her father played professionally in Europe, both basketball and volleyball. Shaney plays inside outside, wherever she can contribute to the team.
Shaney is also well-known from her play in high school locally at Cathedral High School.
After an ankle surgery and a walk off from the University of Hawaii, Lipscomb opened up the communication lines with Ivers, and following a conversation of what makes the Grossmont program standout, Shaney decided this would be the closest program at the community college level that would meet the intensity level of a D1 program.
“It definitely has the same intensity and we train and practice hard at a high level, the only difference from the D1 experience is you are not playing in front of thousands of fans,” Lipscomb said. “I am really grateful of how it worked out here at Grossmont.”
Lipscomb is majoring in Psychology currently, but looking to switch back to her original passion of animals in Animal Science.
“The main goal of the season is to win another banner for Grossmont, as there is no better feeling than to win a championship,” Shaney said.
The Lady Griffins have quite a few returning sophomores, including talented, 6-foot-5 ALEXCIS (Lexi) MORRIS, from Menifee, who plays middle returner.
Morris definitely brings, the height, spark, and athleticism to this multi-talented powerhouse.
“We are definitely a more disciplined team this season as we know what our coaches expect of us and what we expect from them,” Morris said.
As a team they look forward to playing their long time conference foe, San Diego Mesa.
“I also look forward to facing L. A. Pierce, who has also become a rival and also would like to play Santa Barbara again as we lost 3-0 last time we competed,” Morris said.
Morris is majoring in Sociology.
The Griffins finished the season 21-7 in 2017, and were extremely competitive, defeating the Saddleback
Gauchos in the South Regional playoffs in the first round, 3-0, before dropping the second round to Irvine Valley
College, 3-0.
The Griffins finished 2017 with a 9-1 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.
Also a key returning player is Granite Hills alum, ALEXIS VANLANDINGHAM, who stands 6-foot and loves to
play the right side because of the fast sets.
“I think the difference in this year’s team as opposed to last year’s team is the team chemistry and discipline,” Vanlandingham said. “I love what Coach Ivers has helped me with both physically and mentally to make me become a better player.”
Grossmont is looking forward to another exciting and successful season. They will open up their season
against Mount San Antonio at Grossmont @ 6pm on Wednesday, August 29.
