Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

11/06/2006
Story by Tyler Cundith

JCCC will defend national title

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- The No. 20th ranked Johnson County Community College volleyball team will be able to defend its 2005 NJCAA National Championship.  The Cavaliers captured the 2006 Region VI Volleyball Championship Saturday afternoon, downing Independence 3-games-to-0 in the final. The victory improved JCCC to 24-11, and placed the team in the field for the NJCAA Division II Volleyball Championship later this month in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Cavaliers began the tournament with a 3-0 sweep over Highland.  JCCC opened with a 30-27 win, and followed with 30-27 and 30-19 victories.  In the final match against Independence, JCCC recorded wins of 33-31, 30-22 and 30-20.  

Several individuals had key performances to lead JCCC to the championship.  All-American Katie Latenser averaged 8.2 digs and posted a passer rating of 2.33 in each match.  Lauren Russell passed extremely well as well, recording a rating of 3.00 in the win over Highland, and a 2.75 rating in the district final.

She also had 24 digs in the two matches and two service aces.   Jackie Swab and Amanda Hester had dominate efforts against Highland.  Swab had 12 kills and 10 blocks, while Hester added nine kills and six blocks.  In the final, Swab had 14 kills and Hester had a team-high 15.  Jacqui Belozer also had an impressive final match, finishing with 11 kills, eight digs and two service aces.  Finally, setter Whitney Segrist was outstanding in her direction of the JCCC attack.  She finished with 31 assists against Highland, and 42 against Independence, her second-best match effort of her career.