Southwestern Community College

Southwestern Community College Head Volleyball Coach Melissa Blessington spent her winter break putting the finishing touches on the 2012 Spartan volleyball team.  Blessington signed two athletes from Hampton-Dumont High School and one athlete from LeMars High School.  With the addition of these three athletes, Blessington has a total of eight new recruits and is nearing the end of her recruiting campaign for the 2012 volleyball season.

Molly Schimp (pictured above on right), a senior at Hampton-Dumont High School, will join the Spartan team in 2012.  Schimp was named First Team North Central Iowa in volleyball in 2011 and Second Team North Central Iowa in 2009 and 2010.  She was team captain in 2010 and 2011.  In 2010, she was a Drake Relays qualifier in the high jump and in 2011 she placed in high jump at state.  Schimp, who plans to major in management, has been on the academic honor roll at her high school, participates in Big Buddy Little Buddy, and is a member of the Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) program.

She is the daughter of Mike and Tammy Schimp of Hampton.

Jenna Casey (pictured above in center), a senior at Hampton-Dumont High School, will also join the Spartans volleyball program.  She was named second team all-conference for volleyball in 2011 and first team all-conference in 2010.  She received North Central Iowa All-District team honors and was honorable mention all-state.  During high school, she has been an honor roll student, has assisted with middle school volleyball camp, and coached the Northern Lights sixth grade volleyball team.

Casey, who plans to major in radiology, is the daughter of Doug and Tammie Casey of Hampton.

Blessington is thankful to be gaining these two athletes from Hampton-Dumont.  “Molly is a very impressive setter because she is very quick to the ball and is extremely athletic,” Blessington explained.  “She has a great energy on the floor and that is something you can’t teach.”

“Jenna is a very powerful hitter,” Blessington continued.  “She had great success in high school because she does well on both the outside and right side.”

Jacelle Neill (pictured sitting in center) will come to SWCC from LeMars Community High School.  Neill was named second team all-conference and received the High Performance A-3 award.  She serves as an ambassador for her high school.

“Jacelle is going to be a great addition to our team,” Blessington stated.  “One of the areas we look to improve on next year is in our back row, and Jacelle will play a big role in our success.  She has a lot of great club experience and plays tremendous defense.”

Neill, who plans to major in special education and mathematics, is the daughter of James and Lorraine Neill of LeMars.

In top photo

Left to right:  Melissa Blessington, SWCC head volleyball coach; Jenna Casey; and Molly Schimp

In second photo

Sitting (L to R):  Lorraine Neill, Jacelle’s mom; Jacelle Neill; and James Neill, Jacelle’s dad

Standing (L to R):  Melissa Blessington, SWCC head volleyball coach, and Susan Irwin, LeMars High School volleyball coach