OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 3-ranked Johnson County Community College volleyball team opened its 2024 conference season with an impressive sweep over cross-town rival Kansas City Kansas Community College on August 28 at the JCCC Gymnasium. The Lady Cavaliers posted wins of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-21 to improve to 5-0 on the season and 1-0 in the conference.  The Blue Devils fell to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the KJCCC D-II standings. 

Offensively, JCCC hitters tallied 45 kills and hit .250 overall. Sophomore outside/right side hitter Kennedy Smalley led the way with 14 kills and a kill percentage of .300. She also tallied 12 digs to earn her second straight double-double effort. 

Sophomore outside/right side hitter Tori Valentine also posted double digits in kills with 11. She too posted a double-double finishing with 10 digs. Sophomore middle/right side hitter Chloe Carlgren contributed eight kills to go along with an impressive kill percentage of .538. 

Freshman setter Taylin Stallbaumer, the KJCCC setter of the week last week, tallied a season-high 33 assists, reaching double figures in all five matches so far this season. Her previous high was 31 in a five-set victory over Illinois Central. 

Freshman Carlie Martin led the defense with a match-high 16 digs, reaching double figures in digs in all five matches this year, and sophomore setter/defensive specialist Wren VanCleave contributed eight digs. 

Johnson County hits the road for its next six matches beginning with a conference tilt at Hesston on Wednesday, September 4. Two days later they head Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a pair of matches against No. 10 Heartland and Lincoln Land followed by matches against No. 5 Parkland and No. 23 Sauk Valley on Saturday, September 7. The conclude their road swing at Independence on Wednesday, September 11.