CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – In 16 seasons as head coach of the Johnson County volleyball program, Jennifer Ei has gained a reputation of producing perennial top-ranked teams in the NJCAA. She had led JCCC to 12 NJCAA Tournament appearances in her 16 seasons at the helm, with a national championship in 2022, runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2010 and third places finished in 2013, 2018, 2021 and now 2023. JCCC finished the season with a record of 37-4.

The Lady Cavaliers came away with a third-place finish at the 2023 NJCAA D-II Volleyball Championship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Saturday afternoon, sweeping Pensacola State (25-20, 25-23, 25-21), avenging a sweep by the Pirates in the quarterfinals.

In the third-place match, sophomore setter Sydney Fiatte led the offense with 34 assists, posting double digits in all 41 matches. For the tournament, Fiatte tallied 204 assists over the six matches, highlighted by a 45-assist effort against Wallace State and a career high 47 assist in a five-set win over Parkland. Her 47 assists tie the fifth-best match total by a JCCC setter in tournament play, and her 45 assists ranks seventh best. 

Fiatte's overall performance earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Her 204 total assists rank as the second highest ever recorded by a JCCC setter in national tournament play. 

Right side hitter Kennedy Smalley led JCCC's hitters with 14 kills to go along with 14 digs. The freshman from Harrisonville, Mo. had an outstanding tournament, posting double figures in kills in four of the six matches, highlighted by a season high 21 in the consolation semifinal win over Parkland, which ties the fourth-best in match in team history in national tournament play. She also posted double digit dig totals in five of the six matches with a season high 18 in the tournament opening win over Gulf Coast State. Overall, she tallied 76 kills and 78 digs in the tournament. Her 76 kills rank third all-time in tournament play. 

Sophomore outside/right side hitter Sarina Ulberg finished with nine kills, followed by sophomore outside/right side hitter Sophia Ewy with seven and freshman middle hitter Chloe Carlgren with six. 

For the tournament, Ulberg finished with 75 total kills, fourth most ever in tournament play. In JCCC's opening win over Gulf Coast State she collected 21 kills, which ties the fourth-best total in a match.

Sophomore libero Emily Silvers posted double figures in digs with 12 and led the team with 89 overall in the tournament.