Jan. 23, 2012
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Volleyball has been a part of Tanya Jarvis' life for many years, and it will continue to be as the former UCF standout from 2001-04 was recently signed by the Florida WAVE of the new Premier Volleyball League, a women's professional league sanctioned by USA Volleyball.
Jarvis recently completed her fourth season as head coach of Bishop Moore High School's varsity team where she has coached the Hornets to three district championships in four years. She is also one of the top coaches at the Orlando Volleyball Academy, one of the nation's most competitive junior programs.
In December, Jarvis was one of around 80 women who tried out for a spot on the WAVE. The outside hitter who finished her career at UCF seventh in total kills (1, 039) and eighth in aces per game (0.31) was added to the squad earlier this month and is excited to return to the court once again.
"I did it just to see what it was like to be on the other side again," Jarvis said about the tryout. "A lot of us know each other from coaching, playing against each other in college or beach volleyball, so it was fun to see a lot of familiar faces."
The current roster of 14 is made up of many familiar faces, including 10 athletes who played collegiately in Florida.
"I am even more familiar with the two that played at Kentucky (Sarah Mendoza, Kristen Batt) as well as Megan Wallin of Michigan State," Jarvis said. "For the most part they are familiar faces, if not close friends."
The WAVE, coached by Nick Cheronis and Steve Benson, is currently scheduled to play six matches in 2012, beginning with a trip to UCF on March 17. Hoping to be one of the 8-12 athletes to make the traveling roster, Jarvis could get a chance to play in front of family and friends on the same court that she starred on for four years with the Knights.
The 2004 UCF team captain has kept up with the progress of Todd Dagenais' club and is excited for the future. As a member of UCF's last team to make it to the NCAA Tournament in 2003, Jarvis knows the Knights are on the cusp of making it back to the postseason.
"I've been keeping up with them. I am happy to see the progress as they are getting better each season," Jarvis added. "The changing of conferences is a big deal and adds a lot of challenges, but you couldn't ask for a better group of coaches from what they have.
"There is always a pride from being an alumnus and being involved is exciting. We always make it out to games and bring some of my girls to games as well."
More information about the first women's pro volleyball team in Florida history can be found at FloridaVolleyball.org