Gluchowicz named Jayhawk East MVP; Bahner tabbed as Coach of the Year

With the No. 1-ranked Cowley College volleyball team putting together one of the most impressive regular seasons in school history, freshman right side hitter Martyna Gluchowicz was named the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Most Valuable Player and Freshman of the Year. Lady Tiger head coach Jenifer Bahner was also named the Jayhawk East Coach of the Year as Cowley swept the conference's top-three awards.

With Gluchowicz leading the top-ranked team in kills, she was an easy selection for both awards.
"Martyna was a late pick up for us and boy are we happy we got her," Bahner said. "She has been a consistently good player for us all season, but I feel like she is playing her best right now."

Bahner, who picked up her 100th victory in Cowley's win of last weekend's District M Tournament, has helped guide Cowley to a conference title and undefeated season in the Jayhawk East (10-0), 18 straight wins, and 37 consecutive home wins. She was honored to be named Jayhawk East Coach of the Year.

"It's very exciting, but without my team I would not have got the award," Bahner said.

A Cowley player has been named the Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player each of the past three seasons and five of the last six years. The Lady Tigers have also had a member of its team named the conference's Freshman of the Year four of the past five seasons.

"This is a statement of how good our program has been," Bahner said.

Joining Gluchowicz on the list of first-team all-conference and all-District M selections was sophomore middle hitter Goda Jankauskaite, who has provided the Lady Tigers with a valuable attacker in the middle of the floor.

"Goda makes her presence known and lately has been getting kills almost every time she touches the ball," Bahner said.

Sophomore setter Molley Scanlon was recognized for her solid play by being named second-team all-conference and first-team all-district. Scanlon was the highest point getter among setters.

"I am glad Molley was recognized as the best setter in the conference," Bahner said. "She has grown and matured so much from a year ago and has been a huge part of our success," Bahner said.

Emily Barto, who was named the Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year in 2010, was named an honorable mention all-conference performer and second-team all-district selection. The sophomore has been a valuable member of the Lady Tiger volleyball team.

"Emily has played so many different positions this year and has done it without blinking an eye," Bahner said. "For Emily it is all about what is best for the team, and it is not always easy to find kids like that."

Cowley will play at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, which will take place Nov. 17-19 in Toledo, Ohio. The Lady Tigers will be the top-seed at the tournament and will face No. 16-seed Genessee Community College (N.Y.) at 1 p.m. Thursday in the first round.

Live video streaming of the volleyball games at the national tournament can be found at www.ihigh.com The Lady Tigers have placed in the top-five at the national tournament each of the previous five seasons.

First-Team: Martyna Gluchowicz, Cowley; Pamela Lima, Coffeyville; Emily Hester, Johnson County; Paula Okrutna, Fort Scott; Goda Jankauskaite, Cowley; Lisa Angello, Kansas City; Nohely Perez, Neosho County; Kara Baker, Kansas City.

Second-Team: Elizabeth Stevenson, Kansas City; Alison Cole, Highland; Haleigh Lewis, Butler; Jessica Anderson, Johnson County; Erica Rottinghaus, Highland; Alli Jenicke, Allen County; Molley Scanlon, Cowley; Aimee Wood, Butler.

Honorable Mention: Taylyn Schwartz, Fort Scott; Jordyne Seichepine, Allen County; Aubrey Harris, Neosho County; Samantha Jernigan, Butler; Kelsey Broadwell, Coffeyville; Fernanda Silva, Coffeyville; Emily Barto, Cowley; Hanna Flaming, Butler; Belinda Rohling, Neosho County; Daiga Celmalniece, Independence; Emily Bragaw, Johnson County.