WICHITA, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College volleyball team punched their ticket the 2023 NJCAA Division II National Tournament on Saturday afternoon in Wichita, sweeping Neosho County 3-0 to win the Plains District Championship. The Cavaliers won the first two sets 25-19 and 25-22, then closed the match out with a dominating 25-8 victory.
Freshman middle/outside hitter Beth Hedke had an impressive day at the net, leading the team with nine kills and a kill percentage of .692.
Sophomore outside/right side hitter Sarina Ulberg and freshman right side hitter Kennedy Smalley each tallied eight kills and freshman outside hitter Tori Valentine was credited with six. Smalley also had eight digs.
Sophomore Sydney Fiatte and freshman Wren VanCleave each finished double figure for assist with 16 and 14 respectively. VanCleave also tallied 11 digs to earn her third double-double of the season.
In the back, sophomore libero Emily Silvers led JCCC with 17 digs, the 24th time she finished in double figures.
Johnson County head coach Jennifer Ei has 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 and 2021. Overall JCCC has made 20 trips to nationals and boast a 43-19 mark. JCCC also won a national title in 2005 when Ei was an assistant.
The 2023 NJCAA D-II Tournament will be held at Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, November 15-18.