08/28/12

Story by Tyler Cundith

Volleyball – JCCC impressive opening weekend

OVERLAND PARK, KS – The eighth ranked Johnson County Community College volleyball program put on a dominate performance in their opening weekend of the 2012 season, winning all four matches, including three wins against nationally ranked programs. Not only did they win all four matches, the Lady Cavaliers did not lose a single game, going 12-0. 

“Our team played well this weekend,” JCCC head coach Jennifer Ei said after the last match. “It was an improvement over Monday’s scrimmage. Our ball control, coverage and blocking improved from the scrimmage. We have great depth this year, and we were able to get most everyone in the matches, yet not miss a beat.” 

Johnson County opened their Kickoff Classic Friday, Aug. 24, with a 3-0 win  (25-11, 25-20, 25-23) over East Central College. Sophomore Kim Blusher led JCCC’s hitters with 11 kills. Sophomore BreeAnna Tibbs, a transfer from Arizona Western, registered a team-high 12 digs, and returning All-American setter Jessica Andersen directed the offense with 21 assists. 

The Lady Cavaliers followed with their second 3-0 win (25-18, 25-19, 25-21) over No. 13 MCC-Longview. Sophomore hitter Shannon McCarty had the hot hand, recording 12 kills with an attack percentage of .579. She also had a team-high six blocks. Freshman Preecey Seever hit .438 with eight kills, and sophomore libero Sara Slater accumulated 20 digs. Andersen was credited with 31 assists. 

On Saturday morning, Johnson County faced No. 3 ranked Kishwaukee College, a program that had defeated the Lady Cavaliers 12 times in 13 meetings all-time. Not this time though. Johnson County not only swept the Kougars 3-0, but also dominated the nation’s third ranked team, 25-16, 25-12, 25-15. Four players hit over .400 for JCCC, led by freshman Bethany Farres at .647, with 12 kills. Sophomore Perri Tucker hit .636 with eight kills, and Andersen and McCarty followed at .600 and .429 respectively. Freshman Lori Angello led the team in digs with 11, followed by freshman Hannah Sittig with 10 and Tibbs with eight. 

Johnson County capped the weekend with its fourth sweep, downing No. 11 Central 25-11, 25-11, 25-22. McCarty continued her masterful play, hitting .727 with nine kills. She finished the four matches with 27 kills and an attack percentage of .543. Tucker hit  .750 with nine kills, Farres was .571 with nine kills , Seever hit .429 with seven kills and Blusher hit .240 with nine kills. Slater led the team with 18 digs, and had a team high 51 over the weekend. Andersen added 36 assists and finished with 107, averaging 8.9 per game.

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