by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College gave nationally ranked Cowley College an early scare before the No. 6 ranked Lady Tigers rallied for a 3-1 volleyball win in Arkansas City Wednesday.
The loss dropped KCKCC to 13-8 this season with seven of the eight losses coming at the hands of teams ranked at one time or another in the Top 20 this season.
But then playing a top-ranked team comes with being a member of the Jayhawk Conference. In the latest NJCAA national poll released Tuesday, four of the top six teams in Division II are in the Jayhawk. Johnson County climbed to No. 1 with Coffeyville No. 3, Highland No. 5 and Cowley No. 6.
The defending national champion, Coffeyville was No. 1 and Cowley No. 2 until both were dealt losses in the KCKCC tournament this past weekend. Coffeyville suffered its first loss to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) and Cowley lost twice to NEO and Iowa Central.
KCKCC took the early lead Tuesday, winning the opening set 25-22 only to have Cowley surge to 25-19, 25-17 and 25-15 wins and improve to 17-3 this season.
The Lady Blue Devils remain on the road at Labette next Wednesday and don’t return home until facing Fort Scott Oct. 10 and Highland Oct. 17, their final two home contests.