WNCC well represented on Omaha World Herald all-Nebraska team

WNCC volleyball is well represented on the Omaha World Herald all-Nebraska Junior College, and leading the team as captain was sophomore Bianca Rivera.

Rivera, who will be attending Creighton University next year, earned the honor after helping the Cougars to a 56-2 record this past year, including a runner-up finish a the national tournament. Rivera was just one of four Cougars to make the first team. The other include freshmen Jennifer Eichler and Leticia Kuhn at outside hitters, and freshman Soriana Pacheco at setter.

The rest of the first team went to Central Community College-Columbus. They included sophomores Heidi Zoucha and Alissa Tonniges as rightside and middle hitters, and Cassie Hall at defensive specialist.

One Cougar earned earned honorable mention recognition in sophomore Barbara Freitas. The other honorable mention recognition included Leah Anderson and Amanda Nelson, Central CC; Sara Cappel, Crystal Zwickl and Cayla Skaritka, McCook; Melissa Miller, Megan White, North Platte CC; and Kim Belina and Ashley Grube, Southeast CC.

In the Omaha World Herald article, Green said Rivera was one of the best hitters in Puerto Rico with her 39-inch vertical jump, but she made the switch to libero with ease.

"She just passes balls perfect for us," he said. "Teams learned not to serve to her. When she passes the ball, we're able to run a very quick, effective offense."

In other divisions, Chadron State College had two players named honorable mention to teh Division II all-Nebraska team. They include Patrice Henson and Jamie Mills. The Division II honorary captain was Emily Schroedeer of Wayne State.

The complete article can be viewed on the Omaha World Herald website at omaha.com or in Tuesday newspaper.