OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College volleyball team will start the 2019 campaign as the No. 3 team in the country. The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) released its Division II preseason poll this week. This is the 10^th time in 12 years under the director of head coach Jennifer Ei that her program has opened a season ranked, and the ninth time appearing in the top-10. 

Two-time defending national champion and Kansas Jayhawk D-II Conference champion Coffeyville Community College holds the top spot, followed by Parkland College. Kirkwood Community College and Catawba Valley Community College are ranked fourth and fifth respectively. Two other Kansas Jayhawk Conference programs earned top-10 billing. Highland Community College is ranked seventh, and one back is Cowley College. 

Last season, the Lady Cavaliers were unranked to open the campaign, but by the end of September they were the No. 1 ranked team in NJCAA D-II. Ei's teams went on to post a 30-8 record, win the Region VI/District M title and advance to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, were they placed third overall. Four athletes earned all-conference and all-region honors, and three were selected NJCAA All-American. 

Ei welcomes back four players from that team, headlined by second-team All-American libero Rylie Barnum (Lenexa, Kan./Shawnee Mission West). Last season, Barnum led the conference and ranked 11^th in the NJCAA with 743 total digs.  That total also ranks third on JCCC's season chart and 11^th on the career chart. 

Also back are right-side hitter Kayla Niegenfind (Topeka, Kan./Seaman), defensive specialist Kyndal Bowie (Raymore, Mo./Summit Christian Academy) and setter Ami Dias (St. Joseph, Mo./St. Joseph Cental). Niegenfind, who is versatile and athletic, along with being super competitive, ranked third on the team with 310 kills, and she had 156 digs. Bowie, who is quick to the ball, brings a lot of energy and plays great defense, was third on the team with 305 digs and had 25 aces. Dias played in 24 matches last season and finished with 99 digs and a digs per set ratio of 1.50. 

"Collectively, these 4 sophomores work hard both on and off the court." Ei said. "They have established good fundamentals and will contribute to JCCC's team success in 2019. Rylie is our leader. She was one of the top Libero's in the NJCAA last year and is one of the best to play her position in team history." 

Ei has eight newcomers to the roster and four look to be key contributors when the Lady Cavaliers open play Friday, Sept. 23, at the Central Classic in Columbus, Neb.  Middle hitters Taylor Hervey (Kansas City, Kan./Bonner Springs( and Tatum Ernt (Wichita, Kan./Northeast Magnet) bring height (6-1) and length as they both have long limbs and will be huge contributors at the net blocking this season. They are both very athletic and provide an offensive threat. Six-foot right-side hitter Mikayla Powell (Raymore, Mo./Raymore-Peculiar) and 5-9 outside hitter Grace LaForge (Grain Valley, Mo./Grain Valley) will also be expected to come in and immediately contribute. 

Rounding out the roster are 5-10 outside hitter Kassi Coons (New Strawn, Kan./Burlington), 5-4 setter Kallie Fenscke (Broken Arrow, Okla./Broken Arrow), 5-8 defensive specialist Makenzie Griffel (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs), 5-3 setter Sierra Norlin (Wichita, Kan./Andover) and 5-8 outside hitter Brooke Wroten (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence).