For More Information
Ryan Parker, coach (620) 792-9374
Mike Marzolf, SID, (620) 792-9310
marzolfm@bartonccc.edu

Barton wins Region VI title; headed to NJCAA National Tournament
The Barton County Community College volleyball team captured the Region VI Championship Monday night with a 4-game win over Hutchinson at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson. The two teams split the 1st 2 games then Barton rolled in the final 2 games to earn its 1st Region VI title in 4 years. Barton defeated the Blue Dragons, 30-28, 24-30, 30-18, 30-22 to earn the right to move on to the NJCAA Championships Nov. 15-17 in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the Mid America Center. Hutchinson would have had to beat the Cougars twice Monday to earn a trip to the NJCAA Tournament. The last time Barton won the Region VI title and moved on to the NJCAA Tournament was 2003 when the Cougars were crowned NJCAA National Champions. Barton (37-7) will find out who they play in Council Bluffs in the upcoming days.

Highlights
The Cougars held off Hutchinson in the opener – much like they have done in the 4 previous wins over the Blue Dragons this year – to win the 1st game 30-28. Hutch responded with a run midway through the 2nd game to even the match at 1-all with a 30-24 win. The Cougars set the tone early in the 3rd game taking a 7-3 lead and pushing it to 19-7 as Barton rolled to a 30-18 win in the 3rd game, putting the Cougars just 1 game from the NJCAA Tournament.

Barton held a slim lead for the early stages of the 4th game before turning a 14-13 lead into a 20-14 advantage. By the time Barton led 25-15 the Cougars were beginning to sense a trip to the NJCAA Tournament wasn’t far away. The Cougars coasted home for the 30-22 win and the celebration began.

Freshman Rebecca Lima led Barton with 17 kills on the night followed closely by sophomore Kara Robeson with 16. Alik Cardoso de Sa had a big night as the sophomore setter led the Cougars in assists with 40 and digs with 26. Cristin Haines added 19 digs and Lima 13. Robeson recorded 3 assists to pace the Cougars while Lisa Ohanaja led Barton with 6 blocks – 3 solo efforts. Robeson and Cardoso de Sa each had 5 blocks.

Barton will be heading back to the NJCAA Tournament for the 1st time since 2003 when it capped a string of 16 straight years at the National Tournament with the school’s 1st NJCAA National Volleyball title. The field will be made up of 12 teams ranked in the NJCAA Top 15.

Stats
Stats can be found at www.bartonccc.edu/sports

Next
Nov 15 – v TBA, TBA (NJCAA Championships at Council Bluffs, Ia)

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Check out Barton Volleyball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports