MCC volleyball teams drop matches at Region IX

LAMAR, Colo. -- The McCook Community College volleyball team concluded its season at the Region IX South Tournament in Lamar, Colo., during the past weekend.

MCC lost to Trinidad State 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 and Otero Junior College 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21.

Whitney Hochstetler and Chelsey Quigley from McCook Community College were named to the all-tournament team.

Also named were Dustina Bitten from Lamar Community College; Yadira Jacquez and Katherine Harris from Trinidad State Junior College; Amanda Haarberg and Theah Smith from Otero Junior College; and Suyan Leipelt, Maza Balandzik, Dera Martinez and Brunna Kronbauer from Northeastern Junior College.

"We suffered two very disappointing losses last weekend," said MCC volleyball coach Michelle Reiners. "In both games we started out very well, taking the first set in each game. After the first set, we had too many mental letdowns.

"We were never really in system after the first set in either game. We were running into one another on transitions after serve receive. We were letting balls drop in between two players. It was very frustrating, as we definitely did not play to our full potential in either game.

"I think our girls lacked focus in both games, they were standing up on passes and they weren't following the ball to the line. We were making very fundamental errors, something we should not be doing as a team at this point in the season.

"Overall, I think our girls competed very well throughout the season. Our record doesn't reflect the talent level of our team. I was very proud of how the girls improved each and every game.

"This was a wonderful group of sophomores to work with, and they will be greatly missed. Their work ethic and dedication was very apparent throughout this season."

Sophomores on the MCC squad were Sam Brown, Whitney Hochstetler, Stacy Kuroki, Tara Long, KaiLoni Luce, Chelsey Quigley and Alicia Vandenbark.

The MCC volleyball ended their season with an 8-37 mark.

The dynasty continues for the Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team as the Cougars under first-year head coach Giovana Melo are headed back to the NJCAA National Tournament after capturing their 10th straight Region IX championship.

The Cougars defeated No. 14 Northeastern Junior College 23-25, 25-16, 25-7, 25-14 in the championship match.

The Cougars had four players notch double-figure kill totals and Paloma Alvarez, who transferred from Colby Community College last season, totaled a triple double to pace the Cougars to the regional title.

Alvarez finished with 18 kills, 13 points, 10 digs and three aces in the win. Region IX Freshman of the Year Kaleinani Kabalis also stood out, collecting a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs to go along with her seven points.

Fatima Balza, who was tabbed Region IX Player of the Year, finished with 16 kills on the afternoon, while Paulina Piegza had 13 kills.

Region IX Libero of the Year Nayka Benitez put up a strong defensive effort, collecting 14 digs in the title run.

This is Melo's third Region IX championship with WNCC.

Back in 2001 and 2002, she led the Cougars to the Region IX titles.

Now, as the head coach after taking over for nine-year coach Chris Green, Melo is back at the national tournament.

The NJCAA Division I national tournament is Nov. 20-22 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Western Nebraska CC sports information director Mark Rein contributed to this article.

Trinidad State def. MCC

21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17

Kill leaders: Chelsey Quigley-8 kills (20-26), Alicia Vandenbark-8 (17-21), Whitney Hochstetler-7 (20-26), Sam Brown- 3 (11-13), Megan Cole-3 (5-6), Brittney Halligan-2 (4-7), Tara Long-1 (3-3).

Dig leaders: Myrah Brown-17, Chelsey Quigley-13, Sydney Williams-7, Stacy Kuroki-6, Tara Long-5, Alicia Vandenbark-2; Whitney Hochstetler and Megan Cole -1 apiece.

Assist leaders: Tara Long-25 assists (95-96); Brittney Halligan and Stacy Kuroki-1 each (3-3 apiece); Whitney Hochstetler-1 (1-1).

Block leaders: Whitney Hochstetler-3 ace blocks; Tara Long and Sam Brown-2 apiece; Alicia Vandenbark, Megan Cole and Chelsey Quigley-1 apiece.

Service leaders: Chelsey Quigley-4 aces (26-26, 13 pts), Alicia Vandenbark-2 (14-15, 9 pts), Whitney Hochstetler-2 (11-13, 3 pts), Myrah Brown-(9-10, 5 pts), Tara Long-(9-10, 1 pt), Stacy Kuroki- 1 (8-8, 1 pt).

Otero def. MCC

23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21

Kill leaders: Chelsey Quigley-10 kills (33-37), Whitney Hochstetler-9 (15-24), Alicia Vandenbark-6 (25-30), Tara Long-6 (9-9), Megan Cole-3 (6-7), Sam Brown- 2 (8-8), Brittney Halligan-(5-6), Danielle Ernest-(2-3).

Dig leaders: Chelsey Quigley-19, Myrah Brown-11, Stacy Kuroki-8; Sydney Williams and Alicia Vandenbark-6 apiece; Whitney Hochstetler-3, Tara Long and Brittney Halligan-2 apiece; Megan Cole -1.

Assist leaders: Tara Long-25 assists (95-96); Brittney Halligan and Stacy Kuroki-1 each (3-3 apiece); Whitney Hochstetler-1 (1-1).

Block leaders: Sam Brown-7 ace blocks, Brittney Halligan-3, Alicia Vandenbark-2; Whitney Hochstetler, Tara Long, Megan Cole, Chelsey Quigley and Danielle Ernest-1 apiece.

Service leaders: Alicia Vandenbark-2 aces (15-16, 8 pts), Stacy Kuroki- (15-17, 7 pts), Chelsey Quigley- (12-13, 7 pts), Tara Long- (12-16, 7 pts) Whitney Hochstetler-(11-13, 5 pts), Myrah Brown-(8-8, 4 pts).

Region IX South Tournament

in Lamar, Colo.

Match 1 -- Trinidad State over McCook 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17

Match 2 -- Otero J.C. over Lamar C.C. 25-19, 25-21, 25-19

Match 3 -- NE Colorado over Trinidad State 25-16, 25-17, 25-15

Match 4 -- Western Nebraska over Otero J.C. 25-9, 25-13, 25-19

Match 5 -- Trinidad State over Lamar C.C. 19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 26-24, 15-10

Match 6 -- Otero J.C. over McCook 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21

Match 7 -- Western Nebraska over NE Colorado 25-21, 25-17, 25-22

Match 8 -- Trinidad State over Otero J.C. 17-25, 26-24, 25-23, 18-25, 15-11

Match 9 -- Northeastern Colorado over Trinidad 21-25, 25-14, 25-14, 25-15

Match 10 -- Western Nebraska vs. NE Colorado 23-25, 25-16, 25-7, 25-14