by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Not only can Kansas City Kansas Community College boast one of the toughest volleyball schedules in NJCAA Division II, the Blue Devils take on the nation’s most demanding opening schedule.
Off to a 3-1 start in western Illinois last weekend that included upsets of No. 4 Parkland and No. 17 Illinois Central, the Blue Devils played in Miami, Oklahoma, Monday where they dropped a 3-1 decision to Southeastern Oklahoma A&M.
And now it’s back to the shores of the Mississippi River in West Burlington, Iowa, Friday and Saturday for four matches in the Southeastern Community College Invitational. KCKCC will take on North Iowa Area and Hawkeye community colleges Friday at 4 and 6 p.m. and then meet St. Ambrose at 8 a.m. and play Southeastern at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
On the road at Cloud County Sept. 4 and Coffeyville Sept. 9, KCKCC finally returns for its home opener against Johnson County Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The Blue Devils opened with a 25-17 win at Southeastern Oklahoma Monday only to wear down, losing the next three sets 25-21, 21-18, 25-9.
“We probably got a little fatigued but we can’t use that as an excuse,” KCKCC coach Mary Bruno-Ballou said. “The best part we didn’t get anyone hurt. The gym we played in was not air conditioned and it was really hot and the floor very slippery.”
Freshman Cassidy Crist of DeSoto led offensively with 11 kills while Wichita Northwest Tara Mattingly had 10 with 14 digs.
Sophomores Malaysia StClair of Beaumont, Texas, added five kills and Gracie Golay of Wichita Trinity Academy and Holton’s Lauren Leavendusky four each. Golay also had 26 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Natalia Vega Apointe of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, again led in digs with 19.