Lady Indians take over conference lead with win at Central CC

COLUMBUS – The McCook Community College volleyball team went on the road Tuesday and swept Central Community College in Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference action.

MCC won 25-22, 25-21, 25-18.

"Tonight was a good win for us," said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza. "We needed to play with energy and aggressive play at all times and we did that."

With the win MCC takes over first place in the NCCAC standings and evens the season-mark with Central at 1-1. The Raiders beat MCC in five sets on Sept. 13 in McCook, but in total head-to-head sets, MCC holds a 5-3 edge.

Central is ranked 13^th in this week's NJCAA D2 rankings, and falls to 14-6 overall and 3-1 in the Nebraska Conference. MCC, which competes in NJCAA division 1, improves to 16-10 overall and 4-1 in the Nebraska conference. MCC has one NCCAC match remaining on the season – Oct. 16 at home against Southeast Community College.

Kobza said Tuesday night's win was a balanced effort.

On the defensive side, sophomore Greta Bolognini (Bergamo, Italy / Parkview Christian, Lincoln, Neb.) led the way with 15 digs. Freshman Romina Martinez (Cochabamba, Bolivia) added 13 digs and made it a double-double with 11 kills along with two blocks and one ace. Freshman Caylin Barnett (Southwest H.S.) had eight digs and an ace and freshman Kayten Hagan (Amherst H.S.) added four digs.

"We had a lot of great offensive plays and great defense from Greta, Caylin and Romi in the back row," said Kobza.

Sophomore Jessie Jerome (Rawlins, Wyo.) paved the way on offense with 12 digs to go along with eight digs, two assist blocks and two aces. Fernanda Merancio (sophomore, Lamar, Colo.) was credited with 11 kills, six digs and two blocks.  Sophomore Jordan Duzenack (Loveland, Colo.) had eight kills and two blocks.

Gabby Caskey (sophomore, Ogallala) had two kills, four assist blocks and two digs. Sophomore Gracen Tuttle had a pair of assist blocks and a kill.

Assist totals for this match were not available.

The Lady Indians return to Region IX south play Friday when they host Lamar Community College (8-13) at 6 p.m. in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

Up-to-date information about MCC volleyball including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com. 

Nebraska Community College

Athletic Conference Standings

                          W – L     PCT.

McCook CC         4 – 1       .800

Central CC          3 – 1       .750

N. Platte CC        0 – 3       .000

Southeast CC      0 – 2       .000