Bass excited about MCC volleyball season

You can understand why head coach Joan Bass is almost downright giddy when talking about the 2003 McCook Community College volleyball team.

She believes her team will be much improved from the last two seasons. Last year, the Indians posted a 5-40 record.

McCook opens the season Friday at Lamar, Colo., against Lamar Junior College and Trindad Junior College.

Saturday, the Indians travel to LaJunta, Colo., to play Otero Junior College and Clarendon, Texas -- a team MCC beat last year.

McCook's first home match is Sept. 5 against Eastern Wyoming.

"I am very excited about this team," Bass said. "My sophomores have been working very hard. My freshmen have meshed very well with the sophomores.

"We have had two tough years. This year, we have a strong team to put on the floor. We have got a lot of girls that can play a lot of different positions well. We can substitute without slowing down the team at all.

"Once we start, we play three games a week. We have to be ready to play and be able to adjust the minor things."

The Indians feature eight sophomores and six freshmen.

Sophomores from the McCook Daily Gazette coverage area are Liz Macke, Cambridge; Kayla Einspahr, Wauneta; Michelle Neel, Indianola; Lindsey Lewis, Trenton; Danielle Einspahr, Orleans; Kelsey Watkins, Benkelman; and Ashley Hamilton, McCook.

Setter Megan Seger hails from Haxtun, Colo., which is 90 minutes from McCook.

Newcomers are Ashley Malleck and Julie Fritsche, both from Indianola; Sarah Strohl, Taylor; Ashley Burton, Burlington, Colo.; Jamie Beauprez, Wiggins, Colo.; and Laura McKinney, Rutherglen, Va.

Bass will be assisted by former MCC volleyball player Mandy Lampman.

"The area sophomore girls are really contributing to the team," Bass said. "Their leadership is incredible this year."

Bass expects the Nebraska Conference to be tough this season. She said Mid-Plains, Western Nebraska, Central and Southeast should be the teams to beat in league play.

"I look for the team to win a lot of games," Bass said. "It's an exciting season. The sophomores have experienced it -- they will push the freshmen through."