Tiger volleyball moves up to No. 1 in latest poll, improves to 7-0
September 8, 2011
Hours after moving up to the No. 1 spot in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, the 
Cowley College volleyball team backed up that ranking by blasting Neosho County Community College 25-18, 25-12, 25-17 Wednesday inside W.S. Scott Auditorium.
The victory improves Cowley's record to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. Neosho County is now 1-1 in the conference.
The Lady Tigers, who were ranked No. 3 in the previous poll, vaulted into the top spot by knocking off a pair of ranked opponents, while previous No. 1-ranked Johnson County suffered four defeats. Cowley also leapfrogged Pasco-Hernando Community College, who lost to Florida State College of Jacksonville.
"We are very proud and honored by the No. 1-ranking, it is a tribute to the program as a whole," Cowley head coach Jenifer Bahner said. "We have got to work hard in order to protect that ranking and continue to strive for more."
On Wednesday, Cowley was never threatened as they made it 27 home wins in a row. The Lady Tigers have not lost at home since falling to Redlands Community College on Sept. 19, 2008.
"Our home environment is a tough place for teams to come in and play," Bahner said.
Sophomore Emily Barto led Cowley with 10 kills in the win over Neosho; while freshman Cathy Hafenstine added seven kills three solo blocks.
"Cathy came off the bench and made an impact for our team," Bahner said. "She had a great game and was our best offensive player."
Sophomore setter Molley Scanlon also played well and finished with a team-high 30 assists, while Martyna Gluchowicz and Shanna Seyfarth combined for 11 digs.
Cowley had a strong serving night as they finished with seven aces, including two from freshman Sabetha Young.
The Lady Tigers will put their No. 1-ranking on the line when they take part in the challenging Kirkwood Tournament played Friday and Saturday in Cedar Rapids, IA. On Friday, Cowley will play No. 12-ranked Des Moines Area Community College at 4 p.m. and No. 4-ranked Parkland College at 6 p.m. Cowley will wrap up play on Saturday with matches against McHenry College at 9 a.m. and No. 13-ranked Iowa Lakes at noon.
Facing three ranked teams is something most coaches would shy away from, but Bahner relishes the opportunity to face stiff competition.
"This is the way we get better is by playing good teams," Bahner said. "It will be good to be challenged, it will force us to buckle down and focus on each match. Playing these kind of matches will help us later in the season."
View photo gallery.
Cowley College volleyball team backed up that ranking by blasting Neosho County Community College 25-18, 25-12, 25-17 Wednesday inside W.S. Scott Auditorium.The victory improves Cowley's record to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. Neosho County is now 1-1 in the conference.
The Lady Tigers, who were ranked No. 3 in the previous poll, vaulted into the top spot by knocking off a pair of ranked opponents, while previous No. 1-ranked Johnson County suffered four defeats. Cowley also leapfrogged Pasco-Hernando Community College, who lost to Florida State College of Jacksonville.
"We are very proud and honored by the No. 1-ranking, it is a tribute to the program as a whole," Cowley head coach Jenifer Bahner said. "We have got to work hard in order to protect that ranking and continue to strive for more."
On Wednesday, Cowley was never threatened as they made it 27 home wins in a row. The Lady Tigers have not lost at home since falling to Redlands Community College on Sept. 19, 2008.
"Our home environment is a tough place for teams to come in and play," Bahner said.
Sophomore Emily Barto led Cowley with 10 kills in the win over Neosho; while freshman Cathy Hafenstine added seven kills three solo blocks.
"Cathy came off the bench and made an impact for our team," Bahner said. "She had a great game and was our best offensive player."
Sophomore setter Molley Scanlon also played well and finished with a team-high 30 assists, while Martyna Gluchowicz and Shanna Seyfarth combined for 11 digs.
Cowley had a strong serving night as they finished with seven aces, including two from freshman Sabetha Young.
The Lady Tigers will put their No. 1-ranking on the line when they take part in the challenging Kirkwood Tournament played Friday and Saturday in Cedar Rapids, IA. On Friday, Cowley will play No. 12-ranked Des Moines Area Community College at 4 p.m. and No. 4-ranked Parkland College at 6 p.m. Cowley will wrap up play on Saturday with matches against McHenry College at 9 a.m. and No. 13-ranked Iowa Lakes at noon.
Facing three ranked teams is something most coaches would shy away from, but Bahner relishes the opportunity to face stiff competition.
"This is the way we get better is by playing good teams," Bahner said. "It will be good to be challenged, it will force us to buckle down and focus on each match. Playing these kind of matches will help us later in the season."
View photo gallery.