By By Bruce Hixon Standard Sports Editor
What originally figured to be a sound foundation for Jefferson Davis Community College Lady Warhawks volleyball coach Misti Nims has turned into a major rebuilding project.
When last season ended, the Lady Warhawks were slated to return seven freshmen. Since that time, six of those seven have departed the program. That list includes setters Sonie Demko and Jennifer Windham, middle hitter Jessica Powell, and outside hitters Makeyia Burt, Jessica Powell and Carly Dougherty.
The only member of last year's freshman class who is expected to be back now is 5-9 outside hitter Tiffany Anderson of Navarre (Fla.).
Nims is getting one expected boost with the return of outside hitter Lashundra Clausell, who started in 2003 but redshirted last year.
Nims recently signed what is expected to be her final recruit for the 2005 season with the addition of Kimberly Deese, a 5-7 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Rehobeth High School.
Nims had previously signed outside hitters Robyn Duncan and Kristina Turner of Pace (Fla.), defensive specialist Tiffany Lively of Milton (Fla.), outside hitter Elizabeth Haddock of Vernon High School (Fla.), outside hitter/setter Jessica Brown of Marbury, setter/middle hitter Jessica Stafford of Jay (Fla.) and middle hitter Brandy Bernt of Robinson High School in Tampa (Fla.).
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Nims, who also coaches JDCC softball, is in the process of finishing up her recruiting for that sport for the upcoming season.
The Lady Warhawks have added pitcher/outfielder Amber Whitworh of McAdore High School.
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Two more additions are catcher Amanda Wright of Greenville and third baseman Amber Cutts of Northview (Fla.).
The JDCC softball program will be having player tryouts July 9 at 11 a.m. at the JDCC Field. Any female JDCC students who wish to try out may do so.
The seventh and eight players to leave the Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawks baseball program became official this past week.
Sophomore-to-be catcher Brett Burkett has hooked on with Alabama Southern. Burkett, a Pensacola (Fla.) native, hit .391 with four homers, 30 RBIs and a .577 slugging percentage this past spring.
Freshman recruit Matt Brown from Rummell High School in New Orleans has also pulled out.
Pitcher Nick Porter (Calhoun), infielder Clay Mather (Pensacola Junior College), pitcher Ben Jackson (Faulkner State), catcher Jordan Ball (Alabama Southern), pitcher Patrick Sorrells (Alabama Southern) and outfielder Kyle McPherson (Faulkner State) are the other players who have made their departures official.