The 2011 National Champion volleyball team to enter the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame
Having finished as the national runner-up in 2005 and 2009, the Cowley College volleyball team left no doubt as to who the best team in the nation was in 2011 as they defeated Oakland (MI) Community College 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-21 in the title match of the NJCAA Division II National Volleyball Tournament played in Toledo, OH.
Cowley, which was ranked No. 1 throughout the majority of the season, finished the year with a 22-match win streak and a record of 38-2.
Leading the Cowley College volleyball team to the program's first-ever national championship, Jenifer Bahner was named the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Two-Year College Midwest Region Coach of the Year.
"Coaching the 2011 Cowley College volleyball team was truly one of those special seasons that you never forget," Bahner said. "The players' chemistry, competitive drive, and belief in each other created an energy that was contagious.
Highlighting the list of returners from last year's title team was sophomore right side hitter Martyna Gluchowicz, who was named the Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player, all-district, and to the all-tournament team at nationals. Gluchowicz capped her incredible freshman season by being named a First-Team All-American and led the Lady Tigers with 402 kills and 48 blocks. She also added 248 digs and 34 aces.
With three players named National Junior College Athletic Association All-Americans, the national champion Cowley College volleyball team had the most players named to the All-American list among all NJCAA Division II schools.
Cowley head coach Jenifer Bahner said the number of All-American selections showed what a strong team the Lady Tigers had.
Having already been named Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player, all-district, and to the all-tournament team at nationals, outside hitter Martyna Gluchowicz capped her incredible freshman season by being named a First-Team All-American.
Gluchowicz led the Lady Tigers with 340 kills and 50 blocks. She also added 199 digs and 26 aces.
Sophomore middle hitter Goda Jankauskaite thrived in her lone season at the school, earning Second-Team All-American honors. Like Gluchowicz, Jankauskaite was a First-Team all-conference and all-district selection, finishing with 227 kills, 38 blocks, and 29 aces. Most impressive was her 40 percent hitting efficiency.
Sophomore setter Molley Scanlon's dream season continued with her being named an honorable mention All-American. Scanlon, who was a Second-Team all-conference and First-Team all-district performer, was named the Most Valuable Player of the National Tournament before receiving All-American honors.
Scanlon led Cowley with an eye-popping 1,268 assists, while contributing 268 digs, 63 kills, and 25 aces.
"There was a respect for each other's talents while at the same time a drive to get better every day that made this group so special," Bahner said.
Bahner is overjoyed to have her 2011 national championship squad be immortalized in the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame.
"Seeing this team being inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame feels like the perfect recognition for what they built together," Bahner said. "They were the first team in Cowley College volleyball history to win the national championship. Their success paved the way for continued excellence within Cowley College volleyball."