OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) released its first regular season poll on Wednesday afternoon, and the Johnson County Community College volleyball team held on to its preseason spot at No. 3. A few hours later they demonstrated to Neosho County Community College why they earned that third spot by sweeping the Panthers 3-0.
The Lady Cavaliers posted wins of 25-17, 25-19, 25-21 and now stand 5-1 on the season. In set play through six matches this season, Johnson County is an impressive 17-2. They have five 3-0 sweeps and one 3-2 loss.
Against Neosho County, sophomore setter Ami Dias and freshman setter Kallie Fenscke were solid running the offense, posting 19 and 14 assists respectively. Dias is currently has an assists-per-set average of 6.25, which leads the team and ranks 10th in the Kansas Jayhawk D-II Conference. Fenscke as an assists-per-set average of 4.41.
All-American libero Rylie Barnum added 20 more digs to bring her season total 101, and her career mark to 844, which ranks eighth all-time in program history. She currently ranks sixth in the conference in total digs, and her digs-per-set average of 5.05 is fourth-best.
Freshman right-side hitter Mikayla Powell and sophomore right-side hitter Kayla Neigenfind each posted double digits in kills for the match. Powell led with 11, followed by 10 by Neigenfind. Powell is currently fifth in the conference with a kills-per-set of 3.55. Neigenfind is 15th with a per set average of 2.75. Neiegenfind also had a team-high four aces.
Freshman outside hitter Gracie LaForge posted the kill percentage in the match for Johnson County at .400, while posted seven kills.
Johnson County travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to play in the Kirkwood Community College Challenge. The Lady Cavaliers will be definitely challenged in their four scheduled matches. They open today at 2 p.m., against an unranked but solid opponent in McHenry County College, followed by a 4 p.m. encounter with No. 17 Lincoln Land Community College. They open Saturday's play at 9 a.m., against the country's No. 1 team in NJCAA D-II volleyball, Parkland College and close out the challenge against No. 12 Illinois Central College at 1 p.m.