Tag: KCKCC volleyball

Blue Devils get gratifying volleyball upset on the road

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

Mary Bruno-Ballou has had many wins in her 10 years as Kansas City Kansas Community College volleyball coach, some bigger than others.

One of those came in the Blue Devils’ 3-0 upset of No. 21 Cloud County in Concordia Tuesday night. Not only was Cloud higher ranked nationally than the No. 24 Blue Devils, the Thunderbirds were predicted to finish fourth in the Jayhawk Conference, KCKCC fifth.

Because of inclement weather, the match had to be postponed from Monday, stripping the Blue Devils of their only starting middle blocker, Michelle Dvorak, who was scheduled for a nursing exam that could not be re-scheduled.

“We won with a lineup we just tried in our walk-throughs,” Bruno-Ballou said. “Players were playing positions they normally don’t play. After not playing for almost 2½ years and barely cleared from injury, Jordan Johnson came in and started at middle for us although she had only played six-on-six for one day.”

Bruno-Ballou said she was particularly pleased with the input from her players and assistant coaches Aysa Herron and Dee Bruno.

“Our athletes are resilient and amazing; the team so extraordinary. And the coaching staff was superb, thinking outside the box to be successful,” she said.

Led by 18 kills by Cassidy Crist, the Blue Devils were totally in control in the 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 sweep to move to 2-1 on the season heading into next Monday’s Jayhawk Conference home opener against Johnson County, the Jayhawk pre-season favorite. The match will be streamed on the KCKCC Blue Devil website at 6:30 p.m.

No. 14 Lincoln Land foils KCKCC bid for opening volleyball sweep

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

An injury short-circuited a fast start for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s volleyball team in an opening triangular Saturday.

The Blue Devils opened the season with a 3-1 win over Metropolitan Community College on Metro’s Longview campus and took a 24-21 lead over 14th ranked Lincoln Land but lost a key performer in the process.

“Starting middle hitter Nicole Hughes went down early in the first set,” KCKCC coach Mary Bruno-Ballou said. “Our other two middles are injured so we had to take advantage of Mia Tomasic’s flexibility to move her to a position that she had never played and she did well.”

Lincoln Land rallied for a 26-24, 25-20, 25-19 sweep after the Blue Devils had defeated Metro 25-10, 25-23, 22-25, 25-15.

“We played well,” Bruno-Ballou said. “We were competitive in every set for our first match in more than a year and I’m proud of that. We had a quality win against Metropolitan. We dropped the third set but rallied and made a statement in the fourth set. Cassidy Crist was a powerhouse and dominated the net; Adriana Velez ran an excellent offense; and Kelsey Hund was tremendous on the defensive side.

“We didn’t finish the first set against Lincoln Land and our serve receiving struggled a bit but the best part is that these things can be fixed. We got good team play and effort all around and are in an excellent position as a group.”

The Blue Devils are right back in action Monday, opening Jayhawk Conference play at Cloud County before opening at home against Johnson County Monday, Feb. 1.

KCKCC volleyball sophomores honored; playoffs Saturday

by Alan Hoskins

While Longview ended Kansas City Kansas Community College’s regular volleyball season with a 3-1 win Tuesday night, the Lady Blue Devils celebrated the two-year careers of sophomores Allyssa Lutgen and Lexi Nick.

The Region VI Division II playoffs still await the Blue Devils. Seeded No. 7, KCKCC will open against No. 2 seeded Cowley College Saturday at 10 a.m. in Arkansas City.

Lutgen, a 6-0 middle blocker from Lansing, and Nick, a 5-5 sophomore setter from Bishop Ward, both were members of last year’s national tournament team that won the consolation bracket. Beaten by eventual champion Glendale, Ariz., in the first round, the Blue Devils rebounded to win their final three matches. KCKCC returned just four sophomores from that team but injuries sidelined 6-3 Cecelia Augustine and 5-4 Kimberly Martinez for the season and Nick missed two-thirds of the season with a concussion.

“Our entire coaching staff thanks both of our sophomores for all their tireless work and dedication to our program,” said head coach Mary Bruno. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to be able to see both of you day in and day out for two seasons and be a part of your lives. We love you both and are excited for your future.”

Each was presented a framed jersey and flowers. Nick was accompanied by her parents, Jeff and Kim Nick. Lutgen, who will begin classes at Pittsburg State in January, was accompanied by her parents, Dale and Kim Lutgen of Leavenworth.

After dropping the first two sets to Longview 25-18, 25-16, the Blue Devils rallied for a 25-17 win in the third set and overcame a 20-13 deficit in the fourth set to gain a tie before falling 25-22.

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.

Sophomores Allyssa Lutgen, left, and Lexi Nick were honored at Sophomore Night for their two years of play at Kansas City Kansas Community College. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Sophomores Allyssa Lutgen, left, and Lexi Nick were honored at Sophomore Night for their two years of play at Kansas City Kansas Community College. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)