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

10/5/2005
Written by Tyler Cundith

JCCC Volleyball No. 1 in the Land

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- The 2005 Johnson County Community College volleyball team has moved into the No. 1 spot in the current NJCAA Division II poll, replacing Parkland College as the top ranked team in the country.  Parkland held the No. 1 position for three consecutive weeks. The Cavaliers are followed by Scottsdale Community College, who improved four spots this week, and Cowley County Community College, up two spots.

JCCC has appeared in the national poll each week this season. They opened the campaign ranked 12th, followed by a No. 3 ranking in week two,  and a No. 2 ranking last week.

Freshman Katie Latenser (Notre Dame de Sion) leads the team in digs with 288 and service aces with 27.  Her 4.8 digs per game ranks 23rd nationally.  Sophomore hitter Lauren Kracl (Eudora, Kan.) ranks 18th in the NJCAA with a 3.5 kills per game average and sophomore setter Christine Watson (Fontana, Kan.) ranks 25th with 8.1 assists per game. Sophomore middle hitter Ashley Simmons (El Dorado, Mo.) also ranks among the nation’s leaders with 1.3 blocks per game, ranking 11th nationally. Sophomore outside hitter Emily Escher (Topeka, Kan.) ranks second on the team with 177 kills, 25 service aces and 249 digs.

JCCC recently improved to 22-2 overall with a win over Jayhawk Conference opponent Neosho County last Wednesday.  The win was the team’s 17th straight. The Cavaliers travel to Coffeyville tonight for a conference match.  Saturday,  JCCC travels to Arkansas City, Kan., for a match with No. 3 Cowley County. Both teams are undefeated in conference play.