Cowley volleyball makes statement at opening tourney
August 29, 2011
Showing they will continue to be one of the top teams in the nation, the No. 3-ranked Cowley College volleyball team went 4-0 at the season-opening Johnson County Tournament Friday and Saturday in Overland Park.
The Lady Tigers, which have placed in the top-three at each of the past two national tournaments, opened with wins over No. 11-ranked East Central (MO) 25-21, 26-24, 25-16 and Longview (MO) 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18. They returned to the courts on Saturday and knocked off No. 8-ranked Kishwaukee (IL) 25-19, 25-19, 25-14 and Central Nebraska 25-12, 23-25, 25-10, 23-25, 15-12.
Lady Tiger head coach Jenifer Bahner was happy with what she saw from her squad.
"I was very proud of how we played this weekend," Bahner said. "It was a great start for us but also showed us what areas we want to improve."
In the win over East Central, freshman rightside hitter Martyna Gluchowicz led the way with 15 kills, while sophomore Shanna Seyfarth had 14 digs out of the libero position.
Sophomore outside hitter Danika Maggard led Cowley with 10 kills in the victory over Longview, while Cathy Hafenstine, Bridget Paulk and Gluchowicz added nine kills apiece. Emily Barto chipped in with eight kills and freshman Erin Lichter ended the match with seven kills.
"We have a lot of people contributing, which will help us throughout the season," Bahner said. "All of the freshmen competed very well."
Cowley went on to face a tough Kishwaukee squad in its first match on Saturday and played a complete match in taking out the No. 8-ranked Cougars in only three games.
"Our defense was very good in this match," Bahner said.
Seyfarth came up with 19 digs as the Lady Tigers totaled 54 digs in the match.
"We were able to beat a good team in three games by taking care of things in the back court," Bahner said.
In the final match of the tournament, Cowley was pushed to five games before coming away with the win over Central Nebraska. In the victory, freshman Bridget Paulk came up with a team-high 14 kills. Barto, Hafenstine and Gluchowicz added 10 kills apiece. Sophomore setter Molly Scanlon had 44 assists and 12 digs in the win and finished the weekend with 158 assists.
Seyfarth, who saw limited playing time as a defensive specialist as a freshman, stepped up huge and finished with 65 digs in the four matches.
"Shanna had a phenomenal weekend," Bahner said. "Her confidence has really grown and has mad a big difference for her on the court."
Making Cowley's 4-0 weekend even more impressive was the fact the team played without sophomore transfer Goda Jankauskaite, who is expected to do big things out of the middle hitting position.
Johnson County, who entered the season as the No. 1-ranked team, went 2-2 at the tourney as they lost a pair of five-set matches against East Central and Kishwaukee.
Cowley will now prepare for its home opener vs. Hesston College Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Hesston is coming off a tough 0-4 weekend at the Barton County Tournament.
Bahner is focusing solely on what her team can accomplish in Wednesday's match.
"Our philosophy is to always take care of your side of the court," Bahner said. "The girls are excited to play in front of the home crowd."
The Lady Tigers, which have placed in the top-three at each of the past two national tournaments, opened with wins over No. 11-ranked East Central (MO) 25-21, 26-24, 25-16 and Longview (MO) 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18. They returned to the courts on Saturday and knocked off No. 8-ranked Kishwaukee (IL) 25-19, 25-19, 25-14 and Central Nebraska 25-12, 23-25, 25-10, 23-25, 15-12.
Lady Tiger head coach Jenifer Bahner was happy with what she saw from her squad.
"I was very proud of how we played this weekend," Bahner said. "It was a great start for us but also showed us what areas we want to improve."
In the win over East Central, freshman rightside hitter Martyna Gluchowicz led the way with 15 kills, while sophomore Shanna Seyfarth had 14 digs out of the libero position.
Sophomore outside hitter Danika Maggard led Cowley with 10 kills in the victory over Longview, while Cathy Hafenstine, Bridget Paulk and Gluchowicz added nine kills apiece. Emily Barto chipped in with eight kills and freshman Erin Lichter ended the match with seven kills.
"We have a lot of people contributing, which will help us throughout the season," Bahner said. "All of the freshmen competed very well."
Cowley went on to face a tough Kishwaukee squad in its first match on Saturday and played a complete match in taking out the No. 8-ranked Cougars in only three games.
"Our defense was very good in this match," Bahner said.
Seyfarth came up with 19 digs as the Lady Tigers totaled 54 digs in the match.
"We were able to beat a good team in three games by taking care of things in the back court," Bahner said.
In the final match of the tournament, Cowley was pushed to five games before coming away with the win over Central Nebraska. In the victory, freshman Bridget Paulk came up with a team-high 14 kills. Barto, Hafenstine and Gluchowicz added 10 kills apiece. Sophomore setter Molly Scanlon had 44 assists and 12 digs in the win and finished the weekend with 158 assists.
Seyfarth, who saw limited playing time as a defensive specialist as a freshman, stepped up huge and finished with 65 digs in the four matches.
"Shanna had a phenomenal weekend," Bahner said. "Her confidence has really grown and has mad a big difference for her on the court."
Making Cowley's 4-0 weekend even more impressive was the fact the team played without sophomore transfer Goda Jankauskaite, who is expected to do big things out of the middle hitting position.
Johnson County, who entered the season as the No. 1-ranked team, went 2-2 at the tourney as they lost a pair of five-set matches against East Central and Kishwaukee.
Cowley will now prepare for its home opener vs. Hesston College Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Hesston is coming off a tough 0-4 weekend at the Barton County Tournament.
Bahner is focusing solely on what her team can accomplish in Wednesday's match.
"Our philosophy is to always take care of your side of the court," Bahner said. "The girls are excited to play in front of the home crowd."