MCC volleyball team drops second straight Region IX road match

STERLING, Colo. – The McCook Community College volleyball team lost in straight sets for the second straight night Friday, losing to Northeastern Junior College in three sets.

"I believe we've hit our bottom, and individually we can't be comfortable with these losses," said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza, whose team was swept on Thursday by Western Nebraska. On Friday NJC downed MCC 25-17, 25-23, 25-16.

"When you're at the bottom, you only have one way to go but you have to work to get out," Kobza said.

Victoria Thomas (sophomore, Houston, Texas) led MCC with eight kills to go with three assist blocks. Sophomore Fernanda Merancio (freshman, Lamar, Colo.) was credited with seven kills and one assist block.

Gabby Caskey (freshman, Ogallala) had four kills, five assist blocks and two aces. Makayla Brown (sophomore, Colorado Springs) had three kills and two assist blocks. Gracen Tuttle (freshman, Ogallala) had three assist blocks.

McKenna Crews (sophomore, Loveland, Colo.) had seven digs and one ace. Greta Bolognini (freshman, Parkview Christian, Lincoln, Neb.) had two aces. Freshman Alexis Pontine (Ignacio, Colo.) had one kill, one assist block and one ace.

"There is no doubt that Coach Hannah (Emerson) and I trust this team to get to work, but at this time we are trusting them to help us out in showing us they are ready to compete," Kobza said.

MCC falls to 12-8 overall and 0-2 in the south-sub region.

NJC improves to 11-9 on the season.

MCC returns home for three matches next week. On Tuesday, MCC hopes to improve to 5-0 in Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference play as they host Southeast Community College at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, MCC will host Trinidad State (5-14, 1-2) at 7 p.m. in the first of back-to-back Region IX south sub-region opponents. On Friday MCC will host Otero Junior College (6-14, 3-0) at 6 p.m.

For all the up-to-date information on MCC volleyball this season including, schedules, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at mccindians.com