WNCC continues to roll

By JEREMY WOZNICK
Star-Herald Sports Reporter

A long road trip to southern Kansas did little to slow down the Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team Friday evening at the Garden City Invite in Garden City, Kan.

WNCC, ranked No. 2 in this week’s NJCAA poll, blitzed Vernon College out of Vernon, Tex., 30-9, 30-16, 30-13 to improve to 23-1 on the season. The victory also was the Cougars’ 14th in a row. The key to WNCC’s strong play proved to be serving, as the Cougars recorded 20 aces in the match.

“We served very well. We served 20 aces and had only 9 service errors, so we served tough,” WNCC coach Chris Green said. “They [Vernon College] struggled with serve receive and the match was over very quick. In the first game, I think we rotated one time.”

Leading the Cougars’ serving charge was Soriana Pacheco and Gering High School graduate Stacie Meisner. The duo both served 15 points and fired five aces. Pacheco also recorded 31 set assists from her setter’s position to lead WNCC.

Sophomore Bianca Rivera led WNCC’s hitting attack with nine kills. She also paced WNCC defensively with 11 digs.

Redshirt freshman Jenny Eichler continued her stellar play in the front row for the Cougars in the match as she pounded six kills and led the way with five big blocks.

WNCC is expected to get a stiffer test today when the Cougars close out the tournament with three matches against Colby Community College, West Texas and the host Garden City. The Cougars have already won three tournament titles this season.