LA JUNTA, Colo. – The top-ranked Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team captured its 30th win of the season by sweeping past Otero Junior College 25-13, 25-15, 26-24 Thursday in a South Region IX Conference contest.
The Cougars, who stayed at number one for a second straight week when the NJCAA polls were released Wednesday, have now won 17 straight and are a perfect 6-0 in South Conference play.
In sweeping the Rattlers, the Cougars showcased an offensive and defensive effort that saw plenty of players step up.
WNCC finished with 45 kills. Lara Picht paced the Cougars with 12 kills followed by Jady Gerotto with 10. Santanna Mitchell also had a big offensive showing, finishing one kill shy of double figures with nine.
Defensively, Barbara Rabanal tallied 11 digs followed by Keala Kaio-Perez with 10. Fabiana Andrade chipped in nine digs, but also dished out 33 set assists and had 11 points serving.
Also for the Cougars, Rabanal had 12 points and five set assists, while Fautino Manu tallied five digs. Kaio-Perez finished with five points and two aces, while Shaney Tiumalu had six kills, and Kennedy Cyza with two kills.
WNCC, 30-3, will continue the southern Colorado road trip when they take on Lamar Community College Friday before tangling with Trinidad State on Saturday afternoon.