WNCC volleyball team wins two at regional tournament

                [11/2/2012] MCCOOK -- The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team is one win away from capturing its 14th straight Region IX title after sweeping threw two matches at the Region IX South Volleyball Tournament in McCook Friday afternoon.

                The Cougars opened the tournament with a dominating performance against Trinidad State Junior College 25-9, 25-19, 25-12 behind a 13-kill performance from Priscila Mendes. WNCC continued playing well in the winner's bracket final, sweeping past Northeastern Junior College 25-9, 25-16, 25-15.

                Sophomore Tasha Meyer said they played well and were focused entering the competition.

                "I honestly think we did very well," the defensive specialist said. "We came out ready to play together and didn't let up when things got difficult. Serving is always a key factor in our game and today we just took it step by step."

                What was big in both wins was how they started, capturing the first set 25-9 against both opponents. Meyer said have one thing in mind, a trip to the national tournament.

                "We were pretty focused [to start the matches]," Meyer said. "We know what we are playing for and where we want to be in the next two weeks. We've been practicing everyday preparing ourselves for tough competition."

                Both matches saw plenty of players step up in different fashion. In the opener against Trinidad State, Luiza Martins finished with a triple-double of 13 points, 10 digs, and 39 assists. On the offensive side, the Cougars finished with 40 total kills against Trinidad and 47 kills against NJC. Against the Trojans, Mendes pounded home 13 followed by seven from Danika Youngblood and six from Allora Tanner. Against NJC, Youngblood had 15 kills, Kat Agson nine and Mendes and Yoro Tovar with seven each.

                Meyer said everyone played as a team.

                "It's definitely a big deal that everyone stepped up their game," she said. "Volleyball is a six man sport and when we play as one team, we dominate. Today's games showed that we have the talent to go far. I think that today showed what potential we have as a team. Like Coach G always tells us, that when we play together we are a stronger team. Preparation for our number one goal doesn't stop here. We're going to continue to work hard and compete so we can end up at the top."

                Against NJC, Martins had 40 set assists, eight points, eight digs, and three kills; Youngblood had 15 kills, nine points, two aces, and seven digs; Agson had nine kills and two solo blocks and two assist blocks; Mendes had seven kills and 10 digs; Tovar had seven kills, nine points, and five digs; Megan Johnson had three kills; Taylor VanderWerff had two kills; Alex Rivera had 13 points and 13 digs; and Meyer had four points and five digs.

                Against Trinidad, after Martins triple-double, Agson had four kills and three digs; Youngblood had seven kills, seven points, and five digs; Mendes had 11 digs to go with her 13 kills; Tovar had three kills and four points; Megan Johnson had two kills, two points and two digs; Alex Rivera had 20 digs and six points; Meyer had nine points and seven digs; and Tanner had six kills and six digs.

                WNCC, 35-2, will now play for the Region IX South title and a berth in the national tournament Nov. 15-17 in West Plains, Mo., Saturday at 12 noon against the winner of the Saturday morning contest between NJC and Otero.

                Meyer said they will be ready.

                "For tomorrow's [Saturday] match, I think all we need to do is come hungry again and we cannot underestimate any of the teams," she said. "As long as we play together and stay strong i think we can do it."

                Meyer said the key in the championship is to stay "Forever Strong," which is the team's motto this season.

                "I know that we can do this and if we all want it bad enough, we will have it in our hands," she said. "We need to play with heart and pride; we aren't only playing for ourselves but for everyone who has been supporting us and stuck by our side this entire season. KIA KAHA (which is Forever Strong in Hawaii)."

Tournament Schedule

Thursday Matches

McCook over Otero -- 17-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-11

Trinidad over Lamar -- 25-18, 25-27, 25-19, 19-25, 15-12

Friday's Matches

NJC over McCook -- 25-15, 26-24, 25-12

WNCC over Trinidad -- 25-9, 25-19, 25-12

Otero over Trinidad -- 16-25, 18-25, 25-11. 25-21, 15-12

Lamar over McCook -- 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-16, 15-7

WNCC over NJC -- 25-9, 25-16, 25-15

Otero over Lamar -- 25-19, 25-16, 25-18

Saturday's Schedule

10 a.m. -- NJC vs. Otero

12 noon -- WNCC vs. winner 10 a.m. match

2 p.m. -- if necessary match