LAJUNTA, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team captured its 18th straight regional title with a sweep over Northeastern Junior College in the championship of the Region IX South Tournament on Saturday afternoon in La Junta, Colorado.

The Cougars, who finished with 46 kills, swept the Plainswomen 25-16, 25-23, 25-20. The win moves the Cougars to 34-3 on the season. More importantly, the Cougars are making their 18th straight trip the national tournament, which will be held Nov. 17-19 in Casper, Wyoming. The 18-year streak is the longest active one in Division I volleyball.

Kaylee Spreier, who finished the championship match with seven kills, one and a half blocks, eight points, and six digs, said the win was nice.

"It feels good. We put in the work all season to get here, so it feels good to accomplish our goal," said the Gering High School graduate. "I am glad we added on to the 18-year streak and I hope everyone comes support us at nationals."

The Cougars received clutch hitting, blocking, and passing to get the win.

"I think we had one of our best games," Spreier said. "Our passing has improved over the season and that is what we need to win games.

Three players finished with double-figure dig totals, led by Barbara Briceno and Brooke Kaawa with 18 each and Genesis Benitez with 12. The Cougars only had one passing error in the match.

Spreier said the team received contributions from everyone.

"It was big that everyone contributed in the way they should," she said. "Our passers did great and then we could get the sets to everybody and the hitters could put them away. That was a big reason for our success today."

The team entered the match focused to not give NJC any confidence. The Cougars wanted to put the championship away in just onen match.

"I thought we were pretty focused this game," Spreier said. "Normally we mess around and stuff, but before the game everyone was a little more serious. We knew it was going to be a fight all the way through."

WNCC controlled the first set from the get-go as Kaawa served four points for a 7-2 lead and WNCC doubled the Plainswomen 18-9 on two Benitez points. WNCC won the first going away 25-16.

The second set was more of a battle with NJC leading7-6 early and then 21-20 late. It was back and forth from there as WNCC retook the lead at 22-21 on a Spreier point only to watch NJC come back for a 23-22 lead.

Picht came back with a kill and then Bia Berti served the final two points for the 25-23 win.

The third set saw NJC bolt to a 13-9 lead and led 17-13 at one point. WNCC fought back to grab a 19-18 lead on kills by Picht and Briceno. NJC went back in front 20-19, but Picht hammered home a kill and then Spreier served out the match with five points along with four kills from Picht.

Briceno, who was named the Region IX South Player of the Year, finished with 18 digs, 12 kills, and eight points. Picht had 18 kills with five points and four digs; Kaawa had 18 digs with five kills, six points, and three set assists; Bia Berti had 36 set assists, seven digs, five points, and four kills; Benitez with 12 digs and five points.

Several more players also earned honors. Briceno earned Player of the Year while WNCC head coach Binny Cannales was named Coach of the Year. The Freshman of the Year went to NJC middle blocker Victoria Macaluso. The Libero of the Year went to Lamar's Andreia Bomfim.

Four Cougars made the all-region team. They include Briceno, Picht, Kaawa, and Spreier.

Five Cougars were also tabbed to the all-tournament team. They were Briceno, Kaawa, Picht, Berti, and Benitez.