Kansas City Kansas Community College took down another perennial Jayhawk Conference volleyball power Monday, rallying for a 3-1 win over Cowley County in Arkansas City.
“My first victory over Cowley ever,” said a jubilant Mary Bruno-Ballou, who is in her 10th season as Blue Devil head coach. “We’ve played quite a few 5-set matches with them but never come away with a W.” Earlier this season, the Blue Devils posted their first win over Coffeyville in at least a half-dozen years.
The Blue Devils defeated Cowley by becoming from behind. After dropping a 25-23 opening set, the Blue Devils bounced back to go ahead with a pair of 25-22 wins and then wrapped up the match with a decisive 25-17 win.
The win tightened KCKCC’s hold on fourth place (4-2) in the Jayhawk Conference behind co-leaders Johnson County and Neosho County, both 4-0; and Highland, 5-1. Overall, the Blue Devils are 5-3 with all three losses to ranked teams – No. 6 JCCC, No. 12 Neosho and No. 15 Lincoln Land.
The Blue Devils are home for two more matches this week, against Labette Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Fort Scott Saturday at noon. Both matches will be streamed on the KCKCC Blue Devil website.
The match was highlighted by duels between four national leaders. KCKCC’S Cassidy Crist, who leads the NJCAA DII in kills, had 15 while national assist leader Adriana Velez had 40. Crist took a 120-103 lead in kills over runneup Iva Halacheva of Cowley into the match; Velez led Cowley’s Gracie Story 250-227 for the national lead in assists. Halacheva had 15 kills, Story 42 assists Monday.
The two Blue Devil sophomores got plenty of help from Michelle Dvorak, who had 11 kills; Mia Tomasic, 8 kills; and Justice Davis, 6 kills.
“We played excellent as a group; 11 blocks as a team,” Bruno-Ballou said. “The girls are having fun playing and it’s showing. The greatest group of kids around. Our bench brings so much energy and enthusiasm. We aren’t the team we are without them.”
While unranked in the national poll, only one Top 20 team has more wins than KCKCC’s five.
“With two national leaders, it’s odd we’re not ranked because we are playing excellent volleyball and working hard,” Bruno-Ballou said.
The national leader in kills, high-flying KCKCC sophomore Cassidy Crist had this attempt blocked in the Blue Devils’ 3-1 loss to No. 7 Johnson County Monday. Libero Kelcey Hund trailed the play. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
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.
Sophomores Michelle Dvorak (5) and Adriana Velez (7) went high in an attempt to block a Johnson County volley in KCKCC’s 3-1 loss Monday. Freshman Madi Hajek (1) readied for a possible return. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Eight sophomores will provide leadership to the 2021 KCKCC volleyball team – front row, from left, Nicole Almestica, Justice Davis, Adriana Velez and Cassidy Crist; second row, Mia Tomasic, Jordan Johnson, Michelle Dvorak and McKenna Johnson. (KCKCC photo)
by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
Kansas City Kansas Community College will enter the first spring volleyball season in history ranked No. 24 in the national poll of NJCAA Division II colleges.
Unfortunately, six other members of the Jayhawk Conference are also ranked among the nation’s top 24 teams headed by No. 2 Coffeyville and No. 3 Cowley College. Johnson County is No. 11, Highland No. 12, Fort Scott No. 19 and Cloud County No. 21.
“The toughest conference in Division II volleyball,” KCKCC coach Mary Bruno-Ballou said. Ironically, the Blue Devils are No. 5 in the Jayhawk pre-season poll ahead of Coffeyville (No. 6) and Fort Scott (No. 7). Johnson County has been tabbed the pre-season favorite followed by Cowley, Highland, Cloud and KCKCC.
The Blue Devils open play this weekend, facing No. 14 Lincoln Land and Metropolitan on Metro’s Longview campus Saturday and then open conference play at Cloud on Monday.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, fall competition was pushed back to this spring for the first time ever.
“I know our student-athletes did not sign up or envision this as their collegiate playing experience, yet the resiliency and unwavering spirit of our players and staff has been all inspiring,” Bruno-Ballou said. “They show up every day with heart and dedication. We truly have one of our best groups of athletes. Their character is unmatched and their flexibility to be able to step on the court and compete is amazingly positive.”
In her 10th season as head coach, Bruno-Ballou has her biggest squad, 20 players when healthy. Seven are sophomores headed by 6-0 outside hitter Cassidy Crist of DeSoto, 5-11 middle blocker Michelle Dvorak of Park Hill South and 5-6 setter Adriana Velez along with 6-0 right side Justice Davis of Albuquerque and defensive specialist Nicole Almestica.
“Cassidy Crist is a force to be reckoned with in this conference; definitely one of our most dynamic athletes and the highest vertical on the team,” Bruno-Ballou said. “Captain Michelle Dvorak has already committed to Saint Mary and will hold down the middle. Captain Adriana Velez will be our starting setter with the ability to run the court well while we expect great contributions from Justice Davis, who played the right side last season before being injured.”
Unfortunately, two key returning sophomores, 6-2 Captain Jordan Johnson and 6-0 McKenna Johnson of Shawnee, suffered non-volleyball injuries in the off-season.
“Both were going to be contributors,” Bruno-Ballou said. “We’re hoping to get them sometime this spring.”
Because of their injuries, the Blue Devils have only one other middle hitter, 5-10 Nicole Hughes of Denver.
“Her athleticism and ceiling are so high,” Bruno-Ballou said.
Three freshmen will compete on the outside and right side – 5-10 Mia Tomasic from St. Teresa Academy, 5-9 Trinity Holland of Fort Worth and Jo-Annie Perez of Puerto Rico.
“All three bring excellent playing qualities.”
Freshmen Megan Bechtold of Haysville and Patricia Kolodziejczyk of Spain will back up Velez at the setter position along with versatile Abigail Marcouillier of Tonganoxie, who has the flexibility to play almost every position.
Strength, asserts Bruno-Ballou, will be the Blue Devil defense.
“The best defensive corps we have had in recent years; each one has the ability to step in and wear the libero jersey,” she said.
That group includes Kelcey Hund of Leavenworth, Madi Hajek of Oklahoma City, Jessica Rodrigues, Nicole Almestica and Marcouillier.
One of the biggest additions this spring has been new assistant Asya Herron, who brings 12 years of Jayhawk Conference at Neosho County.
“Her knowledge, competitiveness and passion bring the greatest additions we could imagine,” Bruno-Ballou said. “She understands what is needed to be successful in this conference and shows up every day full of enthusiasm and love of the game.”
Additional experience comes with Dee Bruno, in her 13th season coaching KCKCC volleyball.
“Her knowledge and love of the game along with her sense of humor is a benefit to our program,” she said. “We have one of the most knowledgeable and player-focused coaching groups in the NJCAA.”
