
ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Kansas City Kansas Community College volleyball team traveled to the campus of McHenry College this past weekend, for their opening season tournament. The Blue Devils were victorious in three of their four matches played as they continue to ramp up for a busy Fall season.
KCKCC is 3-1 to start the year - taking victories over Lake Land College, Bryant & Stratton College and Black Hawk College-Moline. The Blue Devils lone loss was to Des Moines Area CC.
For the Lake Land match, KCKCC took the first two sets 25-23 and 25-18. Lake Land climbed back in the third to win it 25-15, but KCKCC was strong enough to finish off the match with another close 25-23 set four win. Naomi Jemison led the team with nine kills, Taryn Dial and Ainsley Corwine recorded double-digit assists with 16 and 11, while Corwine and Emma Ayers each had 14 digs. Nicole Hughes and Kyla Braden tied for the team lead with four block assists.
To finish off the first day of the Tournament on Friday, the Blue Devils managed to take three of four sets from Bryant & Stratton. The squad started the match with a 25-16 set one win before falling 25-14 in set two to keep things interesting. KCKCC however bolted out to 25-15 and 25-11 scores the final two frames to cap off the night. Gracey Lovgren handled the attacking with 10 kills, while Dial (18) and Hallee Burress (12) combined for 30 assists. Ayers had 16 digs and Jo-Annie Perez added 13 digs.
On Saturday, the Blue Devils faced a tough test in DMACC. KCKCC tied the match 1-1 after two sets winning the second one 25-20. But the Bears took sets three and four to hand KCKCC their first loss. Carlee Lill had a team leading 11 kills, Dial had 20 assists and Ayers added 12 digs for the team.
The final match of the day for the team was a battle with Black Hawk College-Moline. KCKCC however manhandled the Braves in three straight sets by scores of 25-22, 25-20, 25-22.
The Blue Devils were led by Hughes' 11 kills, while Dial had 16 assists and Corwine added 14. Ayers pitched in 12 digs and Hayley Hastings added 10.
KCKCC returns to action in their home opener on Wednesday as they host Park JV and Ottawa JV at 4 and 8 p.m.