OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced the 2018 Division II Volleyball All-America Teams and Johnson County Community College had three players recognized, matching the total for the 2005 national championship season.
Sophomore setter Jade Askren was named First-Team All-American. Freshman libero Rylie Barnum was named Second-Team All-American, and sophomore middle hitter Anna Hester was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-American. These three were key performers for the Lady Cavaliers in 2018, leading Johnson County to 30-8 record and third-place finish at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
"We are so proud of these All-Americans as each played a huge part in our success this season," said JCCC head Jennifer Ei.
Askren put together a tremendous sophomore campaign that etched her name in the all-time records at JCCC. She compiled 2,122 career assists, third most all-time in team history, and she is tied for 11th all-time with 85 service aces. For the 2018 season Askren ranked fifth in the conference and ninth in the NJCAA with 1,337 assists. She also ranked seventh in conference and 15th in the NJCAA with an assists per set ratio of 9.76. Her 1,337 season assists rank third on JCCC's season chart. She registered double figures in all 37 matches. She had 20 or more in 36 matches, 30 or more in in 25, 40-plus in 17 matches and two over 50. Twice during the season she was selected the Kansas Jayhawk Conference D-II Setter of the Week. She also was selected first-team All-Conference and All-Region VI/District M.
"Jade was the offensive coordinator that help make all our hitters successful," said Ei. "She was an offensive threat herself, and was the only player to play the entire match without ever coming out of the game. She was a vocal leader for our team and worked very hard to be an outstanding setter this season. I am glad she was recognized for her hard work."
Barnum, who was one of only two liberos to be selected this year, produced numbers that only rank her among the leaders in the conference this season, but in JCCC team history as well. She led the conference and ranked 11th in the NJCAAA with 743 digs. She also ranked second in the conference and 26th nationally with a digs-per-set ratio of 5.31. Her 743 digs rank third on JCCC's season chart and 11th on the career chart. She produced 33 matches with 10-plus dig total, 21 with 20-plus digs and three of 30 or more. She too was twice selected with weekly honors, earning KJCCC D-II Defensive Player of the Week in weeks three and six. She was also a first-team all-conference and all-region/district.
"Rylie was the building block of our ball control foundation," Ei said. "Teams went away from her because they knew how good she is."
Hester also posted a tremendous sophomore season and she too has her name sprinkled throughout JCCCs all-time statistical leaders. She is third member of her family to play for Johnson County, and joins her sister Emily as an All-American selection, who earned the honor in 2011. She recorded 707 career kills with ranks her tied for fifth on JCCC's career chart. She also ranked 13th all-time with 209 career block assists. For the season, Hester ranked eighth in the conference and 17th in the NJCAA with 463 kills. She also ranked eighth in the conference and 37th nationally with a kills-per-set ratio of 3.31. Her 463 kills are the third highest season total in team history. She registered double figures in kills in 27 matches, including a career high 23 in win over Iowa Central. That effort tied the fifth-best match total in team history. In week three of the season, Hester was selected both the KJCCC and NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week. She also was selected first-team all-conference and all-region/district and was an all-tournament pick following JCCC's run through the national tournament.
"Anna started for us both years at JCCC," said Ei. "She was powerful, dynamic and our go-to hitter in every match. Team had plotted to stop her in the middle to have the chance of beating us. Anna has been the most consistent offensive threat for us the last two years."
Johnson County has now produced 25 All-America performers, 20 at the Division II level. Twelve of those 20 have come under the direction of head coach Jennifer Ei.