by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young volleyball team overcame a two-set deficit and a pair of key injuries to rally to a 3-2 win over Neosho County in the Lady Blue Devils’ home opener Wednesday.
Already without sophomore setter Lexi Nick of Bishop Ward with a concussion, the Blue Devils lost veteran middle blocker Cecelia Augustine to a severe finger injury in a 25-23 loss in the opening set. Both will be sidelined indefinitely, leaving KCKCC with just two returning sophomores.
Trailing 2-0 after a 25-12 thumping in the second set, the Blue Devils rallied for 25-19, 25-20 and 15-11 wins for the 3-2 Jayhawk Conference vicotry.
“Grit and determination,” said KCKCC coach Mary Bruno of the come-from-behind win. “After a bad second set, they were determined they were not going to lose their home opener. For a young team to overcome that much adversity was a great way to start the season.”
Two freshmen led in kills, Alexis Harrell with 13 and Brooke Wilson with 12 while sophomore Allyssa Lutgen had seven kills and four blocks and soph defender Kimberly Martinez 36 digs.
Now 2-3, KCKCC will play at Hesston next Wednesday in a District N contest. The Lady Blue Devils next home match comes Sept. 16 against Allen County.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.