It wasn’t a perfect start for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s No. 12 ranked volleyball team but it was awfully close.
After losing to the nation’s No. 1 team in four sets, the Lady Blue Devils knocked off the No. 4, No. 9 and No. 14 teams in Division II in the South Suburban Conference tournament in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Friday and Saturday.
“It was a good start to find out who we are, especially against the competition we saw,” said KCKCC coach Mary Bruno.
Facing No. 1 Parkland in the opener, the Blue Devils fell behind 25-21, got even in the second set with a 25-22 win, dropped a 25-23 heartbreaker and then fell 25-16 in the final set.
“We just made too many errors in the last set,” Bruno said.
But it was all KCKCC the rest of the way as the Blue Devils won 12 of their final 15 sets starting with a sweep of No. 14 South Suburban 25-17, 25-16, 25-16 and a 30-28, 25-21, 26-28, 25-22 decision over No. 4 Illinois Central.
The Blue Devils jumped in front of No. 9 Des Moines Area 25-16, 25-23 and then won the decisive fifth set 15-9 after losing 25-23, 25-18. KCKCC then closed out the tourney with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-16 sweep of Waubunsee, which had received votes in the national rankings.
“Our defense was the key,” Bruno said.
Three Blue Devil sophomores vaulted into the national rankings with their performances in the opening tourney. Libero Andrea Aparicio took the lead nationally in both total digs (119) and average digs per set (6.26); outside hitter Blair Russell of Marysville is second in kills with 68 and sixth in kills per set (3.58); and setter Lily Thornberg of Junction City is fourth in assists per game (10.11).
The Blue Devils will get no time to rest on their early laurels as they open Jayhawk Conference play Wednesday at Neosho County, a team ranked right behind Johnson County, Cowley County and KCKCC in the preseason rankings.
The KCKCC home opener will come Wednesday, Sept. 3, against Hesston but the Blue Devils will go back on the road for 11 straight matches including weekend tournaments at Highland Sept. 5-6 and New Port Richey, Fla., Sept. 12-13. Blair Russell (KCKCC photo) Lily Thornberg (KCKCC photo)
Kansas City Kansas Community College will hold an educational voter registration event next month to encourage the community to exercise their right to vote.
“It’s Up 2 Us: A Voter Education and Registration Initiative” is at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave.
“The event aims to motivate our students and those in the community to get out and vote,” said Jared Hill, coordinator of the Intercultural Center at KCKCC. “We hear a lot of opinions, but there needs to be more action, and we have to do it together. Too often, we are apathetic about the democratic process, so we thought this event might be a nice way to attract attention with some great entertainment and get people registered.”
While there will be an emphasis on voting and registering to vote at the “It’s Up 2 Us,” there will also be live entertainment. Groups scheduled to perform include Roger Suggs, “Vigilante;” C-Los and Jose Guerra and Gregory Taylor. In addition, those in attendance will have the opportunity to hear from others on why voting is important to them and our community.
“We need to work together to get past the obstacles that prevent able-voters from voting and let those in positions of power know how we really feel,” Hill said. “We want students to walk away being more mindful about voting, take advantage of advance voting ballots and to be a little more prepared for the upcoming general elections.”
This event is a collaboration between the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 11082, the American Association of University Women, the International Student Organization, the Student Organization of Latinos, Israel Garcia with Garcia Squared Contemporary, Julian Gomez with Mi Raza Magazine, Roger Suggs a.k.a Vigilante, C-Los, Jose Guerra and Gregory Taylor, Jessica Piedra, the League of Women Voters, the Intercultural Center and Student Activities.
Anyone interested in attending may search for the event via Facebook and enter “It’s Up 2 Us,” where they can join the conversation (#up2us) and invite others to participate and attend.
Information is also available by contacting Jared Hill at [email protected] or by calling 913-288-7375.
Led by head coach Mary Bruno, Kansas City Kansas Community College will have nine sophomores as a foundation for the 2014 volleyball season – front row, from left, Andrea Aparicio, Jasel Gonzalez, Lily Thornberg, Blair Russell and Lily Cullers; second row, transfers Kailee Dudley and Peyton Pender, coach Bruno, Junelie Irizarry and Carlyn Walsh. (KCKCC photo by Mark Greathouse) by Alan Hoskins
Kansas City Kansas Community College volleyball coach Mary Bruno has a problem, albeit one of which she has no complaints.
“We do not have a starting lineup because we are so competitive at every position – which is good,” Bruno said. “A couple of key pieces are set but it’s the competitive drive that will push everyone in practice and ultimately make us a better team.”
While the starting lineup may not be set heading into a murderous schedule starting with the South Suburban Conference Tournament at Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23, Bruno is no less enthused about the promise of her deep and veteran squad.
“I’m very optimistic; I think this team has the potential for greatness,” Bruno said.
Others apparently feel likewise. KCKCC is ranked No. 12 in the first NJCAA Division II poll of the season. Two other Jayhawk rivals, Cowley and Johnson County, are ranked No. 2 and 3, in the first poll although JCCC is projected No. 1, Cowley No. 2 and KCKCC No. 3 in the Jayhawk.
Seven sophomores return from last year’s 22-11 team that finished third in the Jayhawk Conference along with two sophomore transfers and five talented freshmen.
“The last time we had that many sophomores we finished sixth in the Division II national tournament,” Bruno said.
Headed by co-captains Lily Thornberg and Blair Russell, the Blue Devils return five players who saw extensive playing time. A 5-10 starter at setter from Junction City, Thornberg has been tabbed “an NJCAA Division II player to watch” on the first page of the Division II website.
A 5-10 veteran from Marysville, Russell and 5-8 Jasdel Gonzalez of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will both return to the starting lineup as outside hitters where added depth will come from Carlyn Walsh, a 5-10 soph from Wichita Northwest who is expected to see considerable court time.
Defensively, 5-5 Lily Cullers of Palmer, Alaska, and 5-5 Andrea Aparicio of Dorado, Puerto Rico, are back as defensive specialists and as competitors with 5-3 freshman Kimberly Martinez of Guayama, Puerto Rico, for the starting libero position.
“Defensively, we will be very solid,” Bruno said.
No starter returns at middle blocker where the competition is the most fierce between sophomores Kailee Dudley of Lawrence Free State and Junelie Irizarry of Papillion, Neb., and freshmen Allyssa Lutgen of Lansing and Cecelia Augustine of Ypsilanti, Mich. Augustine is the tallest at 6-2, the others are all 5-11.
A transfer from Butler County, Dudley comes with outstanding credentials – the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year last year.
“A great addition to our program,” Bruno said. “Junelie Irizarry did not play a lot last year but will see a lot court time while Allyssa Lutgen and Cecelia Augustine have the potential to be factors in our success.”
Peyton Pender, a 6-2 transfer from Saint Mary University, is the lone right side hitter but plenty of help will be available from the quartet of middle blockers.
“Peyton worked out for us in the spring and had a great spring season,” Bruno said.
The wealth of experience will be invaluable as the Lady Blue Devils set out on a treacherous opening schedule.
“Four of the five teams we play in the Wisconsin Dells tournament played in the Division II national tournament last year and then our opening conference game next Wednesday is at Neosho County, a real tough one against the team picked to finish fourth in the conference,” Bruno said.
The KCKCC home opener comes Wednesday, Sept. 3, against District N rival Hesston but the Blue Devils aren’t home again for another three weeks when they host archrival Johnson County Sept. 24. By that time they’ll have played in three of their five weekend tournaments and been on the road for 17 of their 37 contests for the season.
“We’re jumping right into the fire. We want to compete with the best and see where we stand,” said Bruno, who is again being assisted by Dee Bruno and Paloma Juarez and volunteers Cory Roberts, Catherine Bruno and Franchelle Gonzales.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.
2014 Lady Blue Devil volleyball schedule
Aug. 22 – SSC Tournament, Wisconsin Dells, WI. TBA
Aug. 23 – SSC Tournament, Wisconsin Dells, WI. TBA
Aug. 27 – Neosho County*, Chanute, KS. 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 – HESSTON**, Home 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Highland Tournament, Highland 3 & 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 – Highland Tournament, Highland 9 & 11 a.m.
Sept. 9 – Longview, Lee’s Summit, MO. 6 p.m.
Sept. 12 – Pasco Hernando Tournament, New Port Richey, FL. 1 & 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 – Pasco Hernando Tournament, New Port Richey, FL. 12 & 4 p.m.
Sept. 17 – Allen County*, Iola, KS. 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 – Missouri State, West Plains, MO. 6 p.m.
Sept. 24 – JOHNSON COUNTY*, Home 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 – SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA, Home 6 p.m.
Sept. 29 – HIGHLAND*, Home 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 – Cowley County*, Arkansas City, KS. 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 – Iowa Western Tournament, Council Bluffs 3 & 5 p.m.
Oct. 4 – Iowa Western Tournament, Council Bluffs 12 & 2 p.m.
Oct. 8 – FORT SCOTT*, Home 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 – Central Nebraska Tournament, Columbus 3 & 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 – Central Nebraska Tournament, Columbus 1 & 3 p.m.
Oct. 15 – Labette*, Parsons, KS. 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 20 – MISSOURI STATE (West Plains), Home 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 – Coffeyville*, Away 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 – INDEPENDENCE*, Home 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 – LONGVIEW, Home 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 – Region VI Playoffs, TBA TBA
Nov. 20-22 – National Division II Tournament, Phoenix, AZ. TBA
* – Jayhawk Conference ** – District N
