Laramie ends Indian spikers' Region IX quest

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The McCook Community College Lady Indian volleyball team’s season ended Friday with a four-set loss to 18th ranked Laramie County Community College. The Golden Eagles won 25-19, 25-14, 21-15, 25-23.

Friday’s loss was the final games for seven sophomores: setter Ashley Carson (Ord); middle blocker Hannah Emerson (Greeley, Colo.); libero Brooklyn Evans (Ogden, Utah); middle blocker Hayley Jacobsen (Littleton Colo.); outside hitter Ty Johnson (Conroe, Texas); outside hitter Ryan Maddera (Evans, Colo.); and libero Onyessah Rocha (Topeka, Kan.).

Simpson had 12 kills and three assist blocks. Johnson had eight kills and four assist blocks, Maddera had six kills. Emerson had five assist blocks and one solo block.

“Not the way we wanted to finish, but I told the girls they will always be a part of the team that has turned MCC volleyball around.” Coach Hayley Kobza said.

This group of sophomores helped lead the Lady Indians to back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time this century and also helped MCC capture its first Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference championship in 38 years.

MCC finishes this season at 21-14, which included wins against to top-20 ranked opponents in Central Community College and Otero Junior College.