OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College volleyball team had two players represented on the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National All-Tournament Team after helping the Lady Cavaliers to a national runner-up finish. JCCC lost 3-1 in the National Championship Match to KJCCC rival Cowley College. 

Sophomore outside/right-side hitter Tori Valentine and freshman libero Carlie Martin were the two JCCC players selected to the 13-player team. 

Valentine, who earlier this season was named as an All-Kansas Jayhawk Conference and All-Region 6 D-II second-team performer, had a tremendous tournament offensively at the net for the Lady Cavaliers. The Blue Springs, Missouri native opened the tournament with a double-double of 15 kills and 14 digs in a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Iowa Central. Valentine followed with an even more impressive performance in a 3-1 upset win over a heavily favored Parkland squad, registering 19 kills and 21 digs. She also recorded three aces in the match, tying the sixth-most in team history. 

Valentine's 19 kills tie the eighth-best single match effort in national tournament play by a Johnson County hitter. Her 21 digs tie for 18^th all-time in tournament play. She finished the tournament with 49 kills and 53 digs, which rank tied for 11^th and 17^th in team tournament history. 

Martin, who finished third overall in the conference in total digs with 652, was in double figures in all four matches, finishing the tournament with 88 total digs. That total ranks tied for the eight-most recorded in tournament play by a Lady Cavalier. 

Martin opened with 21 digs in the 3-2 comeback win over Iowa Central in the opening match. She followed with 24 in a 3-1 win over No. 2 seed Parkland in the quarterfinals, 22 in a 3-1 win over Gulf Coast State in the semifinals and 19 in the National Championship match against No. 1 Cowley. Her 24 digs rank as the 13^th most in a match at nationals. Her 23 digs tie for 14^th and her 21 digs tie for 18^th. 

"Tori and Carlie earned all-tournament based on their performances but in different ways," said JCCC head coach Jennifer Ei. "In the first two rounds against Iowa Central and Parkland, Tori's offense helped our team when we needed the points and helped light a fire under our team to finish out those matches. Carlie contributed all year long and continued at nationals to give us ball control in serve receive t run a quick offense. Her defensive skills gave us opportunities to say in matches because she would make incredible digs that our team converted into kills. She was the glue to our team's success all season. Both players went on some serving runs and aces at nationals that were key momentum swings." 

To see the complete list of the 2024 NJCAA D-II Volleyball National All-Tournament Team, click this link.