by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
Kansas City Kansas Community College went from the volleyball frying pan into the fire Monday night.
A 3-2 winner at then No. 2 nationally ranked Coffeyville last Thursday, the Blue Devils took on Jayhawk Conference preseason favorite Johnson County in the KCKCC home opener Monday.
Ranked No. 18 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, the Blue Devils jumped in front 25-16 in the opening set only to have the No. 7 ranked Cavaliers pull even in the second set 25-17, then win hotly contested races to the finish 25-22 and 25-23 to close out a 3-1 win.
“We were up late in both the third and fourth sets but just couldn’t quite pull it off,” KCKCC coach Mary Bruno-Ballou said. “A great battle against a highly ranked conference rival. We played well and had lots of opportunities. We just need to learn how to capitalize on them.”
The national leader in kills, DeSoto sophomore Cassidy Crist led the Blue Devils with 18; Michelle Dvorak had 10 kills and eight blocks; and Adriana Velez 40 assists.
“Unforced errors were costly,” Bruno-Ballou said. “We need to work on those. But it’s still early and there’s room for improvement. There’s endless possibilities for this group.”
The Blue Devils resume Jayhawk Conference action Saturday, as hosts of Neosho County in a noon tipoff.
