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MCC volleyball hitter moving on to Augusta golf haven
McCook Community College sophomore Jordan Jerome signed a national letter of intent Tuesday to continue her volleyball career next year at Augusta University in Georgia, an NCAA division II program.
The 5-10 outside hitter from Rawlins Wyoming, heads to Georgia, one week after her younger sister Jessie signed a letter of intent to come to McCook next season as a setter.
MCC Coach Hayley Kobza said she became aware of the Jerome girls several summers ago when their dad Joshua -- who’s parents live in McCook -- was visiting.
“He reached out wanting to get the girls in the gym over the summer – he’s a super-dad for his daughters – so they came and we talked and as it turns out it was meant to be,” Kobza said.
As a freshman in the spring, Jerome was named to the all-Region IX South team. As an outside hitter, she appeared in in 29 matches with 175 kills, 210 digs, 25 service aces and led MCC with 58 total blocks.
This fall Jerome played in 38 matches with 386 kills, 402 digs, 35 service aces and 56 total blocks. She was again named to the all-Region IX South team. For her career she compiled 561 kills, 612 digs, 60 aces, 108 assist blocks, and six solo blocks.
She posted a career-high 22 kills in the opening match of the Region IX Tournament last week.
“She had a really good sophomore year and I don’t even think she’s hit her peak yet,” Kobza said. “At the very end of the season I thought she was playing at her best so I think there’s more yet to come.”
Jerome said there was a time early this season, when things were not going well for her. And it was in the midst of a “lousy game” where she draws her fondest memory of coach Kobza. On Sept. 7 in a home match with North Platte, Jerome’s hitting was way off-kilter.
“I wasn’t having the best game. I kept on hitting the back wall. Coach brought me over to the edge of the court – it wasn’t even during a timeout -- and said very encouraging words that touched my heart. Then she slapped my butt as I was headed to the service line said ‘love you Jordy,’” Jerome recalls.
MCC came back from two-sets down to defeat North Platte 3-2 that night.
“That will always stick with me,” Jerome said. “Coach is a woman I can always look up to. She’s my go-to girl.”
On her decision to sign on with Augusta as an outside hitter, Jerome said a key factor was the school’s respected respiratory therapy program as well as a volleyball team that has posted a 19-8 season mark and are in second place (6-3) playing in the Peach Belt Conference for Coach Sharon Quarles, in her 13th season.
“I really like their coach, she knows what she’s doing, her season’s gone very good and she has a talented girls,” Jerome said.
One of those players is MCC alum Kiera Barr, a senior libero/defensive specialist for the Jaguars.
Jordan said she is looking forward to new challenges in a new place but will always have fond recollections for her time at MCC – whether it was time spent driving around the countryside, activities around campus, times on the bus, in the locker room, or on the court.
“We just have that connection, and that’s what I’m going to miss the most – my girls, and playing with my girls,” she said. “I mean these girls are going to be in my wedding.” (She notes that for the record that will not be anytime soon).
“Jordan has been a great player, with a great attitude, and I’m looking forward to what she does next,” Kobza said.