WNCC men's soccer trips NJC in double overtime

The Western Nebraska Community College men's soccer team out shot Northeastern Junior College 36-8 Wednesday afternoon, but needed an overtime goal by Daniel Agnew to capture a 2-1 win over the Plainsmen at the Landers Soccer Complex.

Agnew said while the team started slow, they never lost confidence despite the hefty shot advantage.

"This is a big win. We didn't start off the best, but we preceded to win it in the end," Agnew said. "It was really important to get that goal at the end. We just need to go on from this win and get a couple wins this weekend."

The number of shots the Cougars missed was not a good sign. The team knows they have to start capitalizing on those opportunities.

"Us attackers have to start scoring more goals but they will come," he said. "It was pretty physical out there, but all that matters is we came out with a win."

The match never should have went into overtime in the first place as the Cougars had an 11-3 shot advantage in the first period. Still, neither team could muster a goal. The second half saw two goals scored. The first goal game in the 27th minute as NJC knocked in a own goal to put WNCC up 1-0. Three minutes later, the Plainsmen would tie the contest as Colton Hale scored off an assist from Jacob Price.

With 20 minutes to play in regulation, WNCC had ample opportunities to put in the go-ahead goal, including two prime shots with under three minutes to play. The Cougars couldn't find the back of the net, sending the match into overtime.

In the first overtime period, WNCC managed four prime scoring chances but missed wide on the shots. That sent the teams into the second overtime and on the Cougars' first scoring change, Agnew made sure the ball was going into the net. The freshman from Ireland took a pass from Edward Contreras from just outside the box and rocketed what seemed to be a 100 mph fastball into the back of the net for the game winner.

Agnew praised the play of the defense for keeping the offense the game.

"The defense played well," he said. "We just need to start scoring more goals and get some positive results."

The Cougars not only controlled the shots, but they managed 10 corner kicks to NJC's two. Joey Rasnic also gathered in seven saves in net for the Cougars. NJC's goalkeeper Trevor Shepherd also had a good game in net, getting 17 saves. Shepherd made the biggest save with under a minute to play in the first overtime as he scrambled outside the box on teh sideline to thwart a prime Cougar scoring opportunity.

Agnew said they definitely have to put more shots in goal this weekend as they get ready to host Western Wyoming Community College and Northwest College in women's and men's doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. Friday's contest with WWCC starts at 1 p.m. for the women's contest, while Saturday's matches start at noon.

"This game was important to get a win in, but the next two games this weekend are important," he said.

WNCC sweeps Otero for 28th win

   LA JUNTA, Colo. -- The second-ranked Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team captured its 22nd straight win after sweeping past Otero Junior College 25-21, 25-20, 25-6 on Thursday in a south sub-region contest in La Junta, Colo.
               The Cougars used a balanced attack in picking up the team's 28th win of the season. WNCC also pushed its unbeaten set winning streak to 36. The last time the Cougars dropped a set was on Sept. 20 when Western Wyoming Community College won the first set at Cougar Palace.
               Morgan Broussard, who finished the match with 35 set assists, said they played well, especially in the third set.
               "The first two sets were a little rough but once we started to play our game, everything went pretty smooth," the Gering High 3-sport star said. "The score in the third set says it all. In the early sets, we were making mistakes and giving them points. We just had to pull together and play our game and it ended up as a win."
               After two rather close opening sets, the Cougars made quick work out of Otero in the third set, cruising to the 25-6 win. Broussard said the difference between the sets was they didn't make mistakes plus the team played at a very high energy level in the final set.
               "The difference was mainly we cleaned up the little things and our energy level was a lot higher," she said. "Having high intensity is big because when our energy level is high, then that is how we are going to compete. When it is low, we are still able to compete, but not at the level that we want to compete at. You always want really high energy so you can have fun with the game and do your best."
               The Cougars had some outstanding performances in the contest. Besides Broussard setting accomplishments, Yoro Tovar finished with a match high 10 kills, while Alex Rivera had six aces.
               WNCC, 28-2 overall and 5-0 in sub-region play, will be back in action Friday when they face Lamar before taking on Trinidad State Saturday afternoon in two more sub-region matches.
               Broussard said they just need to keep getting better each day and play their A game every match.
               "We just need to get better each day so when it comes time for regionals and nationals, that we will be at the level that we want to be at," she said.

WNCC volleyball sweeps Western Wyoming for 21st straight win

               ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team received 11 kills from Danika Youngblood as they fought back from an early first-set deficit to register a sweep over No. 18 Western Wyoming Community College 25-23, 25-15, 25-18 Monday evening in Rock Springs, Wyo.

               It was the second-ranked Cougars 27th win of the season and the team's 21st straight victory. WNCC has also swept its last 10 opponents and have not dropped a set in 33 straight sets.

               Youngblood said she was pleased with how the team played Monday night after a week off between matches.

               "We are pretty happy of how we played today," the sophomore outside hitter said. "We can still get better, but I thought we played with a lot of intensity and a lot of energy."

               Youngblood said she was worried for a tad early in the first, but had confidence that her team would rebound.

               "I don't know about the team as a whole, but I was nervous at the beginning," she said. "Then we got it out and started to play. I think the way we came back in the first set gives us a lot of confidence and I think during the other games we had our confidence, too. We never lost that losing point."

               Rebound from a slow start is what they did. Western Wyoming jumped on top 7-1 to open the first set and led by as much as 11-5 and 13-9. But a couple backrow kills by Youngblood kept the Cougars close. Finally, Megan Johnson and Yoro Tovar had back-to-back kills to slice the deficit to 20-19.

               A few rotations later, a Luiza Martins service point tied the set a 21-21. Western Wyoming came back to take a 23-21 on two service points, but Priscila Mendes pounded home a kill and then Mendes had three service points, which was aided by two kills from Youngblood and the winning kill by Alex Rivera for the 25-23 win.

               The second set was knotted at 5-5 until Tasha Meyer had two service points for an 8-5 lead. WNCC pushed the lead to 16-10, only to watch the Mustangs cut the lead to 16-13. Martins stopped the streak with a kill and then Tovar served up six straight points to lead 23-13 before WNCC won 25-15.

               The third set was back and forth with neither team taking more than a three-point lead. Western Wyoming led only once, at 3-2, while WNCC enjoyed three point leads on many occasions. Finally, WNCC started to open up the contest. Leading 15-13, Youngblood served up two points for an 18-13 lead and then Tovar had two smashing kills for a 21-15 lead. Tovar had the final two service points while Youngblood hammered home the match winner.

               Youngblood finished the contest with 11 kills, three blocks, five digs, and five points; while Tovar had nine kills, 11 points, three blocks and three digs. Also for the Cougars, Mendes had six kills, 12 digs and eight points; while Johnson had six kills and two blocks. Martins finished with two kills, three digs, and 33 set assists; Kat Agson had four kills, two blocks, and three digs; Rivera had eight digs and three points; and Tasha Meyer had two digs and six points.

               WNCC, 27-2, will continue its road swing with three matches this weekend beginning Thursday at Otero Junior College. They will then face Lamar Community College on Friday and Trinidad State Junior College on Saturday.

               Youngblood said this team is really meshing well right now and she isn't surprised with how well they have been playing.

               "I think we are playing well as a team and we are going hard. We can always go harder but i think we are doing good as a team," she said. "I know we are a really talented team and we still have a lot to work on, but I am not surprised [by the 33 straight set wins]."

Dig Pink night Oct. 19 at WNCC/NJC volleyball match

Breast Cancer Awareness night will be Friday, October 19th at the WNCC volleyball match vs. NJC. Match time is at 7:00 p.m.

Once again "Think Pink" T-Shirts will be sold for $10 and all proceeds will be donated to the Festival of Hope. Sponsors are Runza, Scottsbluff Screenprinting, and WNCC.

Orders for the T-Shirts are needed by Thursday, October 11th. Shirts will be available on Wednesday, October 17th. Sizes available are youth small up to adult 5XL. It is an additional $2 for XXL, $3 for XXXL, $4 for XXXXL, and $5 for XXXXXL. Call Amy Winters at 308-641-5125 or email amy@wncc.edu.

From Oct. 3, 2012

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College men's and women's soccer teams battled 50 mph winds Wednesday and they also found the scoring hard to come by in Region IX conference matches with Laramie County Community College.

The Cougar men lost to the Golden Eagles 3-0. The Cougar women fell to the No. 17 Golden Eagles 5-0 after trailing 1-0 at halftime.

WNCC had four prime opportunities to score in the second half of the mens game. The first came early in the half as Edwin Contreras just missed a shot high. The Cougars also had two free kicks into the wind that sailed high. Daniel Agnew also had a good shot attempt in front of the goal with 10 minutes to play.

LCCC outshot the Cougar men 19-5 and had six corner kicks to WNCC's one. Justin Becerra was in net for the Cougars, making five saves.

On the women's side, the Cougar women hung tough with the No. 17 ranked Golden Eagles for a half. The only goal cam in the first half came with seven minutes left.

In the second half, LCCC had the wind in its favor and scored three goals in the first 15 minutes to grab a 4-0 lead.
Bello finished off the scoring with her second goal of the game with five minutes to play for the 5-0 lead.

WNCC had plenty of opportunities to score in the opening half. Ashley Baker just missed on a sliding attempt in the 25th minute. Then, with 14 minutes to play in the first half, the Cougars had a corner kick that went high over the net because of the wind.


Bailey Wenz was in net for the Cougars in making 14 saves in net.

The Cougar men, 3-8 overall and 1-6 in Region IX play, will be back in action Friday when they host Northeastern Junior College at 3 p.m. at the Landers Soccer Complex.

The Cougar women fell to 2-7 overall and 0-6 in Region IX play. The women will have a week off before returning to action as they host Western Wyoming Community College on Oct. 12 before hosting Northwest College on Oct. 13.

WNCC volleyball sweeps EWC for 20th straight victory

From Oct. 2, 2012
TORRINGTON, Wyo. -- The second-ranked Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team captured its 20th straight victory with a sweep over Eastern Wyoming College 25-6, 25-13, 25-14 Tuesday night in Torrington, Wyo.

The Cougars, in capturing their 26th win of the season, received a nine-kill performance from Priscila Mendes and seven kills each from Yoro Tovar and Kat Agson.

WNCC coach Giovana Melo said they played well and continue to get better each time they step onto the court.

"We have been getting better in some areas and still working on some things," she said. "When some of the other girls go in, we have some miss communication, but overall we are getting better every day and that is what matters."

What really impressed Melo was in the third set, they had nine different players register a kill. She was also impress with the team's service runs.

"I am liking a lot the depth that we have and I am excited to what is to come," Melo said. "I have always been about serve and pass. That is very big. If we can serve and pass well, we can win games."

EWC started slow but got better as the games went along. Still, it was a tough mountain to climb when they got behind by eight or nine points to the second-ranked team in the nation.EWC coach Verl Petsch said that he still believes the Cougars should be the top ranked team in the nation.

"We played so well against Sheridan on Saturday but by the same token the Cougars are a different caliber team then what Sheridan is," he said. "I am really surprised, to be honest with you, that they are not the number one team in the nation right now. I think they should be. They have the depth, the talent, and they are executing really well."

EWC showed some toughness against the Cougars as Karsen Dingman hammered home a match-high nine kills. They also had a team total six assisted blocks, led by Chelsea Jones with three. The big difference in the game for the Lancers was WNCC's service runs.

In the first set, Mendes served the Cougars to a 6-1 lead. Then, with the score at 14-6, Alex Rivera served 11 straight points including two aces for the 25-6 win.

WNCC used a couple more strong service runs in the second set. Mendes served four straight for an 8-1 lead. Later, after a Megan Johnson kill, Rivera had three straight including two aces for a 17-5 lead. The Lancers' Holly Hail served three points to cut the lead to 20-11 but WNCC came back to get the win 25-13.

Once again, WNCC used strong serving as Lauren Knox five-point service run for a 12-5 lead. Luiza Martins put WNCC up 17-7 before a Dingman kill and a Holly Heil kill cut the lead to 18-11. Both teams changed sideouts a couple of times before Allora Tanner hammered home the final point.

WNCC had a plethora of individuals standout. Rivera finished with a double-double of 14 points, 18 digs, and four aces. Also stepping up was Mendes with nine kill, five digs, and eight points; Agson with seven kills and two blocks; Tovar with seven kills, two blocks and five points; Johnson with seven kills and three points; Tanner with four kills and a solo block; Lauren Knox with three kills, six digs and four point; Taylor VanderWerff with two kills; Martins with three digs, three points and 31 set assists; and Morgan Broussard with 10 set assists and two points.

The Lancers were led by DIngman';s nine kills, while Faith Banks had seven digs and Kailee Duryes had five digs from her libero position along with one kill. Chelsea Jones finished with three assisted blocks, while Alanna Freel ahd two assisted blocks. Kassie Woodie had 14 set assists, while Heil had three points.

The Lancers will be back in action this weekend when they travel to take on Western Wyoming Community College on Friday and Central Wyoming College on Saturday.

The Cougars are off until Monday when they travel to face Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs, Wyo.

WNCC volleyball sweeps Trinidad State

From Sept. 29, 2012

                Danika Youngblood powered home 12 kills and the second-ranked Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team captured their 19^th straight victory with a 25-13, 25-19, 25-19 sweep over Trinidad State Junior College on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Palace.

                The Cougars, who also captured their 25^th win of the season for the 16^th straight year, moved to 4-0 in conference play.

                Lauren Knox, who finished with 11 points, nine digs and six kills, said it was a contest where the team played just OK.

                “We were really good in the first game but then we let it go,” the freshman from Broomfield, Colo., said. “But we definitely kept playing as a team and I feel like we did fine.”

                What was the big key in Saturday’s match was the fact the team stayed focused and never let a Trinidad run get to them. In the end, the Cougars’ depth, once again, played out. Knox said everything is starting to come together.

                “We are finally becoming a team. We are playing together and we all have each other’s backs,” she said. “I feel the strength is that everybody has their own strength to bring but all together, we are just a good team.”

                There is no doubting that the Cougars are a good team, especially after moving to 25-2 on the season and have swept their last eight opponents. In fact, the Cougars have won their last 27 straight sets – the last time they lost was on Sept. 20 as Western Wyoming Community College won the first set.

                Saturday, the Cougars stayed strong throughout. In the opening set, both teams were tied at 6-6 before strong serving and timely hitting pushed the lead to 15-9 on a Yoro Tovar kill. WNCC kept hammering the ball as Youngblood, Priscila Mendes, Kat Agson and Tovar each had kills and Alex Rivera served the final five points for the 25-13 win.

                The second set started out identical as both teams were knotted at 6-6 on a Allison Rosas ace. But a kill by Youngblood and then four service points by Knox pushed the score to 11-6. WNCC went up 18-10 on a Youngblood ace service and WNCC went on to win 25-19.

                WNCC struggled somewhat in the third set as Trinidad State came out of the 10-minute intermission with a purpose. The Trojans grabbed an 11-8 lead on two points by Kaylee Johnson before the Cougars came back on three points by Luiza Martins for a 14-12 lead.

                Trinidad came back to grab an 18-17 lead on a Rosas point, but a Knox kill stopped the rally. Knox then served four straight points, including a punishing back-row kill for a 22-19 lead. WNCC came back as Rivera serviced the final two points for the win.

                The Cougars had three players finish with double doubles. Youngblood finished with four points, 12 kills and 10 digs; while Rivera had 17 digs, 11 points, and three aces. Martins also collected a double-double with 15 digs, 32 set assists, five points, and three kills.

                Also for the Cougars, Mendes had four kills; Tovar had nine kills, two blocks, three digs, and three points; Kat Agson had three kills and two blocks; Tasha Meyer had seven digs and four points; Megan Johnson had five kills and two blocks; and Allora Tanner had four kills.

                WNCC, who has had nine straight home matches over the past two weeks, will return to action Tuesday when they travel to Torrington, Wyo., to face Eastern Wyoming College. The team will then have seven days off before facing Western Wyoming Community College on Oct. 8.

                Knox said they will use the break to get better as a team.

                “I don’t feel like we need the break, but we are going to enjoy it,” she said. “We will take the time to get better in practice and be ready and more prepared for our next games. We just have to go into this next game with everything we have.”

WNCC soccer team fall to Otero on the road

From Sept. 28, 2012

                LA JUNTA, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College men’s and women’s soccer teams were shut out in matches against Otero Junior College on Friday in La Junta, Colo.

                The WNCC women lost 3-0 to the 20^th ranked team in the nation. Otero moves to 4-0 in Region IX play and 8-0 overall. The Rattlers also have not surrendered a goal in conference play. The Cougars drop to 0-3 in conference and 2-5 overall.

                The men also played a tough defensive contest with Otero, falling 2-0. Otero moves to 4-1 in conference play and 6-2-1 overall, while WNCC drops to 1-4 in conference play and 3-6 overall.

                Despite the losses, WNCC coach Todd Rasnic was pleased with his team’s defensive play. He was especially pleased with the women’s defensive effort.

                “It was a good game and we played better but we still don’t have any scoring,” he said. “They scored off a corner kick.”

                Otero had three shots on goal while WNCC was blanked on shots on goal. WNCC only trailed 1-0 at halftime before allowing two second half goals.

                The men’s contest was another defensive contest. Otero took a 1-0 lead at halftime and then scored an insurance goal in the second half. The Rattlers had 12 shots on goal, while WNCC managed just one shot on goal.

                Joey Rasnic recorded 10 saves in net before leaving the game with 10 minutes to go with a concussion. Justin Becerra came in and recorded two saves on the only two shots Otero took

                “We played well in the first half and 20 minutes of the second half,” Rasnic said. “Our defense played really well.”

                WNCC will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Trinidad State Junior College to finish out the 2-match road trip. The Trinidad men are 1-4 in conference play after falling to Laramie County Community College 3-1 on Friday. The Trinidad women are 0-2-1 in conference play. The Trinidad games begin at 2 p.m. for the women in Trinidad, Colo.

WNCC volleyball sweeps Lamar

From Sept. 28, 2012

                Priscila Mendes finished with a triple double as the second-ranked Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team swept past Lamar Community College 25-10, 25-18, 25-12 on Friday at Cougar Palace.

                Mendes finished with an unusual triple double, finishing with 14 digs, 10 aces and 22points in leading the Cougars to their 18^th straight victory.

                Mendes, however, is quick to give credit to her entire team for getting the win.

                “Everybody played very well today and we did a good job,” Mendes said. “There were some moments where we didn’t do well, but overall the scores were good. Today the serving was good.”

                The Cougars played well from all areas and received output from a variety of people. WNCC

finished with 14 aces and 35 kills. Mendes’ 10 aces was the most aces served since Stephanie Perez had 10 aces back in 2005 against Casper College.  Marina Bazana holds the match ace record of 13 set back in 1999 against Lamar.

                Mendes’ aces came in the first and third set, but it was the opening game that set the tone of the match. Mendes started things by serving nine straight points, including five aces for a quick 10-0 lead. After that, the Cougars explosive hitting took over as Danika Youngblood had six kills and Allora Tanner had three kills. Megan Johnson finished off the set with a kill and the 15-10 win.

                The second set was tighter as Lamar held a 5-3 lead. Tanner then hammered home a kill and then Luiza Martins ran off five service points for a 9-5 lead. Lamar kept fighting, slicing the lead to 13-11 but once the Cougars got the lead to four points, they just chipped away until Kat Agson finished off the game with a kill.

                The third set saw the Cougars put up another stellar serving game from Mendes as the freshman from Brazil finished the set with 11 points and five aces. Mendes had three early points for a 4-2 lead only to watch Lamar cut the lead to 9-6.

                A few minutes later, Mendes went on a eight points scoring spree, including four aces. Mendes was aided by an explosive hitting attack as Lauren Knox had two kills, a kill by Johnson, and a block by Lindsay Wehkamp.

                Once again, WNCC had a multitude of individual highlights. Mendes also hammered home five kills to go with her triple double. Youngblood finished with nine kills and six digs; Yoro Tovar had four kills and three points; Tanner had five kills; Johnson had two kills and two blocks,Taylor VanderWerff had three kills and a block; Lauren Knox had four kills; Martins had seven digs, eight points, two aces, and 15 set assists; and Morgan Broussard had 17 set assists, four points, and an ace.

                WNCC, 24-2, will be back in action Saturday when they host Trinidad State Junior College in a 1 p.m. contest. Trinidad State fell to Northeastern Junior College in four sets on Friday, 25-18, 27-29, 25-21, 25-15.