MCC Volleyball swept in opening match of Region IX Tourney

CASPER, Wyo. – The McCook Community College volleyball team lost the opening match of the Region Tournament to Laramie County Community College Wednesday in three sets.

After leading the first set 11-2, MCC was unable to maintain the lead and lost 25-27 followed by consecutive set losses of 25-18.

"We just didn't execute and the end result was a sweep for LCCC," said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza.

The loss knocks MCC into the elimination bracket of the double-elimination tournament with a 1 p.m. game Thursday against Casper College. The Thunderbirds lost a five-set match to Western Nebraska.

"The biggest thing now is to mentally not believe we are done and believe we can continue to go as far as we can into the tournament by playing with hustle and heart," said Kobza.

Victoria Thomas (sophomore, Houston, Texas) led MCC with 11 kills to go along with seven digs, two assist blocks and one ace.

Freshman Gabby Caskey (Ogallala) added eight kills, nine digs and three assist blocks. Fernanda Merancio (freshman, Lamar, Colo.) had eight kills, five digs, and three blocks.

Jordan Duzenack (freshman, Loveland, Colo.) had five kills and one assist block. Jisell Chumacero (sophomore, Eaton, Colo.) had four kills and two assist blocks and sophomore Makayla Brown (Colorado Springs) had two kills.

McKenna Crews (sophomore, Loveland, Colo.) had 15 digs while Greta Bolognini (freshman, Bergamo Italy/ Parkview Christian, Lincoln, Neb.) had 11.

Alexis Pontine (freshman, Ignacio, Colo.) had 24 assists and five digs while freshman Jessie Jerome (Rawlins, Wyo.) had eight assists, three digs and one assist block.

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

REGION IX TOURNAMENT

(At Casper, Wyo.)

WEDNESDAY'S Results

Game 1 – Laramie County def. McCook 3-0

Game 2 – Northeastern JC def. Northwest College 3-1

Game 3 – Western Nebraska def. Casper College 3-2

Game 4 – Central Wyoming def. Otero JC 3-0

THURSDAY SCHEDULE

Game 5 – McCook (21-11) vs. vs. Casper (7-27), 1 p.m.

Game 6 – Northwest College (20-11) vs. Otero JC (11-26), 3 p.m.

Game 7 – Laramie County (17-10) vs Western Nebraska, (30-3), 5 p.m.

Game 8 – Northeastern JC (19-12) vs. Central Wyoming (21-7), 7 p.m.

FRIDAY SCHEDULE

Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 1 p.m.

Game 10 – Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 11 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Game 12 –Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, noon

Game 13 – Game 12 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 5 p.m.