by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Mary Bruno-Ballou has a problem as she begins her 11th season as head volleyball coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
“The hardest thing is figuring out a lineup,” Bruno-Ballou said. “I know it’s a good problem but this is the most talented roster I’ve had in a long time. Anyone on our roster can come in and make a difference. The ceiling is so high.”
The Blue Devils open their home season with a triangular Wednesday, as host of Ottawa junior varsity at 4 p.m. and Saint Mary junior varsity at 8 p.m. Ottawa and Saint Mary will collide at 6 p.m.
Complicating Bruno-Ballou’s task even further is that there’s 20 student-athletes on this year’s roster, the largest in her 11 years, and it includes four “super sophs,” players who are in their third year at KCKCC because of getting an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID pandemic.
“All super-talented. I’m super excited,” Bruno-Ballou said.
And so she should. She has two national statistical leaders to show the way. Cassidy Crist, a 6-0 outside hitter from DeSoto, earned honorable mention All-American honors last spring after finishing fifth in the nation in kills and kills per set; while 5-6 setter Adrianna Velez finished fifth in the NJCAA DII in assists and eighth in assists per set. Both earned All-Jayhawk and All-Regional honors.
Also in their third season are 6-2 middle blocker Jordan Johnson of Liberty, who missed the first half of last season with an injury, and 5-7 defensive specialist Nicole Almestica.
“Great leaders,” Bruno-Ballou said. “They know how tough the Jayhawk Conference is. Last season, we lost to Johnson County in the regional finals and Johnson County went on to win the national tournament.” The Blue Devils finished 14-8 last spring with all eight losses to teams ranked in the Top 20.
Crist heads a quintet of outside hitters that also includes 5-10 freshmen Trinity Holland of Fort Worth, Texas; and Jo-Annie Perez, both of whom played last season; and true freshmen 5-8 Jessy Canales of Puerto Rico; and Carlee Lill of Clearwater, Kansas.
Jordan Johnson will be joined at the middle blocker position by 5-11 Nicole Hughes of Denver, who was a starter much of the past season; and two freshmen, 5-10 Kyle Braden of Blue Springs South and Morgan Clark of Paola.
Gracey Lovgren, a 6-0 COVID freshman transfer who played in the national tournament for Sauk Valley, and 6-2 true freshman Rachel Kittle of Yukon, Oklahoma; are the leaders on the right side although both are coming off injuries.
Velez heads a solid group of setters that includes sophomore Megan Bechtold of Haysville Campus; and freshmen Ainsley Corwine of Quenemo, Kansas; and Hailee Burress of Norman, Oklahoma.
Kelcey Hund of Leavenworth, who started every game at libero last season, returns to head a talented corps of defensive specialists that includes the veteran, Nicole Almestica; 5-7 Sydney Hefty of Wamego, a transfer from Butler County the last two seasons; sophomore Abigail Marcouillier of Tonganoxie; and freshman Jessica Rodriguez of San Paulo, Brazil.
The Blue Devils opened play in the Rockford (Illinois) Invitational over the weekend, defeating BlackHawk 3-0 but losing to Terre State, Mott and No. 8 ranked Kirkwood. Assistant coaches are Asya Herron, who is in her second season, and Dee Bruno, who is in her 14th season.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
2021 Volleyball Schedule
Aug. 20-21 – Rockford (Ill.) Invitational
Aug. 25 – Ottawa JV, 4 p.m.; St. Mary’s JV, 8 p.m., home
Aug. 27 – Fort Dodge (Iowa) Triangular. At Iowa Central, 3 p.m.; Marshalltown, 5 p.m.
Sept 1 – Johnson County*, 6:30 p.m., home
Sept. 3 – Benedictine, 4 p.m.; Ottawa JV, 8 p.m., home
Sept. 8 – Coffeyville*, Away, 6:30 p.m.
Sept 15 – Cowley College*, Away, 6:30 p.m.
KCKCC TOURNAMENT
Sept. 17 – Central Nebraska, 2 p.m.; Northeast, 6 p.m.
Sept. 18 – Southeast Nebraska, Noon; Metropolitan, 4 p.m.
Sept. 20 – Labette*, Home, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 – Hesston*, 4 p.m.; Baker JV, 6 p.m., Home
Sept. 24 – North Platte, Noon; Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, 4 p.m. At Johnson County.
Sept. 29 – Highland*, Away, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 – Fort Scott*, Home, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 – Neosho County *, Away, 6: 30 p.m.
LINCOLN LAND INVITATIONAL
Oct. 15 – Lincoln Land, 3 p.m.; Mott, 5 p.m.
Oct. 16 – Glen Oaks, 10 a.m.; Parkland, noon
Oct. 20 – Independence*, Home, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 – Benedictine JV, Away, 5 p.m.
Oct. 17 – Allen County*, Away, 6:30 p.m.
• Jayhawk Conference match