by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young volleyball team took on three of the nation’s top ranked NJCAA Division II teams over the weekend and although not a winner, did not go down without a battle.
Competing in the Lincoln Land Tournament in Springfield, Ill., the Lady Blue Devils opened Friday with a 25-18, 25-12, 27-25 win over Waubonsee and then pushed the No. 2 team in the nation to a 25-23 first game set before dropping the next two 25-15, 25-15.
On Saturday, KCKCC took a 25-16 opening set from No. 5 Lincoln Land before the host school won the next three 25-18, 25-17, 25-17. Facing No. 13 Kirkwood (Iowa) in the final match, the Blue Devils were in contention all the way despite falling 25-22, 25-18, 25-22.
The 1-3 record left the Blue Devils with a 13-12 record and a distinction probably no other team in the nation could claim – all 12 losses have to been to teams that are ranked or have been ranked at some point of the season.
“For a young team, we showed several times that we could play with the best teams in the nation,” coach Mary Bruno said. “Parkland is the best team we’ve played this year but Coffeyville is also very good. And Lincoln Land and Kirkwood for that matter. We just need to clean up our mistakes and do a better job of finishing matches.”
KCKCC closes out a month of 17 straight matches on the road against Neosho County in Chanute Wednesday before returning home next Monday to host Fort Scott at Sophomore Night in the season finale at 6:30 p.m. The Region VI playoffs then begin Saturday, Nov. 4.