by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College went ahead only once in its first set against Labette Wednesday night but it came when it counted most.
The 26-24 win set up a 3-0 sweep by the Lady Blue Devils in their home and Jayhawk Conference opener. Played in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 225 in the newly revamped KCKCC Field House, the win ran KCKCC’s record to 3-2.
The game was also the first of three straight home conference encounters with Johnson County coming in next Wednesday and Highland Sept. 13.
Labette built a 17-12 lead in the opening set and after KCKCC pulled even at 19, the Cardinals reopened their lead to 23-20 before the Blue Devils’ big finish.
Riding the opening win, the Blue Devils led virtually all the way in a 25-20 second game win although Labette got to 23-20 late. The third and final game was never in doubt as the Blue Devils dominated from start to finish in a 25-10 win.
“We struggled early in the first set and finally settled down and played well, especially in the third set when we played like the way we can play,” said head coach Mary Bruno, who got solid performances from freshmen Brittney Winter and Randi Johnson and sophomores Katie Heeter and Morgan Schwarz.