NJC dumps MCC spikers

Jon Buhlmann/McCook Daily Gazette McCook Community College volleyball players Brittany Hailligan and Sam Brown go up for a block late in the second set of Tuesday night's match against Northeastern Junior College at True Hall Gymnasium.

The McCook Community College volleyball lost in three games to Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, Colo., 25-11, 25-15, 25-15 Tuesday night at True Hall Gymnasium.

"We started out well in the first and third sets," said MCC coach Michelle Reiners. "Then we allowed NJC to go on runs, and couldn't overcome the point deficit. We had some players step up in the first set, that haven't seen a lot of court time this season. They played particularly well the first half of the set. We started to shut down midway through the first.

"Our blocking game was very strong tonight. Sam Brown continues to be a force in the middle. She reads very well, and always bolsters our blocking game. One area we really struggled in again was serve receive. This has been a problem area all season long. It is very difficult to get into system, without a good pass to start the offense.

Jon Buhlmann/McCook Daily Gazette Chelsey Quigley of McCook Community College sets the ball over the net. Quigley is a sophomore from Indianola and Southwest High School.

"We have a long road trip this weekend. Hopefully, we will get some road wins to boost our confidence going into our final match against Colby. With regionals only two weeks away, we really need to polish some parts of our game in order to be competitive within our region."

MCC travels to Trinidad CC Friday (7 p.m.), Otero CC Saturday (10 a.m.) and Lamar CC Saturday (5 p.m.). MCC hosts Colby CC Monday at 7 p.m. for Sophomore Night.

Northeastern JC (Sterling, Colo)

defeated MCC 25-11, 25-15, 25-15

Kill leaders: Whitney Hochstetler-7 kills (14-22), Chelsey Quigley-4 (16-18), Sam Brown- 6 (8-9), Alicia Vandenbark- 3 (9-12), Megan Cole-1 (3-3), Brittney Halligan-(1-4), Tara Long-1(1-1), Alisha Weaver-(0-1).

Dig leaders: Chelsey Quigley-14, Stacy Kuroki-9, Alicia Vandenbark -6, Hillary Rachow and Myrah Brown-5 apiece; Brittney Halligan and Tara Long -3 apiece; Alisha Weaver-2.

Assist leaders: Tara Long 48-49 (15 assists), Brittney Halligan 17-17 (2); Chelsey Quigley 3-3 (1), Whitney Hochstetler- 6-6, Alicia Vandenbark- 1-1.

Block leaders: Sam Brown-4, Brittney Halligan-2, Whitney Hochstetler-1, Tara Long-1.

Service leaders: Stacy Kuroki-1 ace (8-8), Chelsey Quigley- (8-8), Tara Long-1 (6-7), Myrah Brown- (5-5), Whitney Hochstetler-(3-4), Alisha Weaver and Alicia Vandenbark (2-3) apiece; Brittany Halligan-(2-2), KaiLoni Luce-(1-2), Sam Brown-(1-1).