CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Johnson County Community College volleyball team moved a step closer to a national championship on Thursday night, upsetting No. 2-seed Parkland College 3-1 at Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Johnson County controlled the first set, winning 25-18, but the next two sets that followed were a battle. The Cobras prevailed in the second set 27-25 to tie the match an 1-1, then Lady Cavaliers took a 2-1 advantage outlasting Parkland 27-25 in the third set.
In the fourth set JCCC held a one-point edge at 19-18 then went on a 6-1 run for a 25-19 victory and close out the match three sets to one. With the win JCCC improved to 29-6 overall while Parkland fell to 49-3 with two of their losses coming from the Lady Cavaliers.
Both teams were fairly even statistically with the exception at the net. Johnson County recorded 28 total blocks to just 11 by Parkland. Sophomore middle/outside hitter Beth Hedke led the team with eight blocks, followed by sophomore outside/right side hitter Chloe Carlgren with seven, sophomore outside/right side hitter Kennedy Smalley with five, sophomore outside/right side hitter Coral Netten with three and sophomore outside/right side hitter Tori Valentine with three.
Valentine may have been the star of the match though. The Blue Springs, Missouri native led all players with 19 kills to go along with 21 digs and three aces. It was her third straight double-double and 12th on the season. Her 19 kills and 21 digs rank as her second-best efforts of her career.
Smalley and Carlgen each added eight kills and Hedke finished with seven. Smalley also recorded 21 digs.
Sophomore setter/defensive specialist Wren VanCleave posted a double-double with a team-high 25 assists and 15 digs. Freshman Taylin Stallbaumer reached double digits in assists with 18 and freshman libero Carlie Martin was the leader in digs with 24 and aces with four.
Johnson County will face Gulf Coast State College in the semifinals Friday, November 22 at 5 p.m. EST. Gulf Coast State earned punched their ticket to the semifinals with a 3-0 upset over No. 3-seed Kirkwood. The winner will face either No. 5 Heartland Community College or No. 1 Cowley College for the national championship on Saturday.