MCC Volleyball tops second-place Northeastern JC

The McCook Community College volleyball team took down the second-place team in the south sub-region Saturday winning a 3-1 decision over Northeastern Junior College at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

MCC was up comfortably in the first set before the Plainswomen came back to win it 25-21.

"I think we were up like 20-14 in the first set then a series of errors opened the door for them, and we just couldn't do anything right," MCC Coach Hayley Kobza said. "We weren't playing the same clean volleyball and ended up losing that but came back and didn't let that game affect us."

MCC took the next three sets 25-21, 25-20 and 25-17.

"A huge shout-out to Coach Hannah (Emerson) with her work on film and making sure the girls were prepared for this team," Kobza said. "She always goes above and beyond but took it even one step farther this week with her preparation and it definitely worked."

MCC picked up the win with a balanced offensive attack and strong defense.

"We knew coming in that defense was going to be our biggest thing and making sure we did the things we practiced on," Kobza said.

NJC won the first meeting of the year in Sterling, Colo., and MCC didn't have a strong showing in that Sept. 23 match.

"I think our defense today was so much better and I told them after the match that this is the defensive team I know we can be," Kobza said.

Victoria Thomas (sophomore, Houston, Texas) posted a double-double to lead MCC with 12 kills, 23 digs and three aces to go along with two assist blocks. Fernanda Merancio (freshman, Lamar, Colo.) killed nine times with six digs and freshman Jordan Duzenack (Loveland, Colo.) had nine kills, three digs, two assist blocks and a team-high three solo blocks.

"We have a nice balance with this team it isn't just one player," Kobza said. "When Fernanda touches the ball, it's just incredible but shout out to NJC because they were just sticking some of those digs and the rallies today were good to watch, it was a fun game to coach."

Gabby Caskey (freshman, Ogallala) had seven kills, nine digs, five assist blocks and two aces. Freshman Gracen Tuttle (Ogallala) was credited with two kills and one assist block. Sophomore Makayla Brown (Colorado Springs) had two kills.

McKenna Crews (sophomore, Loveland, Colo.) had 12 digs and one ace. Greta Bolognini (freshman, Bergamo Italy/ Parkview Christian, Lincoln, Neb.) had 10 digs.

Freshman Jessie Jerome (Rawlins, Wyo.) had 22 assists, five kills, two assist blocks, two aces and 14 digs. Alexis Pontine (freshman, Ignacio, Colo.) had 17 assists and three digs.

NJC goes to 15-11 on the season and 5-2 in the south sub-region. The Plainswomen travel to Western Nebraska Friday then host Otero and Trinidad Oct. 28-29.

MCC improves to 18-9 and 4-3 in the south standings with a couple important south sub-region road matches in Colorado Thursday and Friday starting with Trinidad State Thursday and Otero Friday.

"We just need to go in and travel well and do all the little things right but it's always tougher on the road," Kobza said.

MCC swept both teams in McCook Sept. 29-30.

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

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REGION IX SOUTH STANDINGS

                                    W-L     PCT.          OVERALL

Western Nebraska        6-0       1.000               25-3

Northeastern JC           5-2         .714               15-11

McCook CC                  4-3         .571               18-9

Otero JC                     2-3         .400               9-20

Trinidad State JC         1-4         .200               6-18

Lamar CC                   0-6         .000               1-17

Remaining Region IX Games For MCC

OCT. 20 – MCC at Trinidad State, 7 p.m.

OCT. 21 – MCC at Otero Junior College, 6 p.m.

OCT. 28 – Lamar at McCook (Sophomore Night), 7 p.m.