Volleyball takes second in RMAC, moves on to NCAA

By Jennifer Hankins
jhankin4@mscd.edu

Metro volleyball took its regular season success all the way through the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament. Though the team fell to the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the final, the 'Runners showed they were ready for the NCAA tournament.

Metro earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Southwest Regional tournament.

Friday Nov. 11, in Kearney, Neb., the team faced the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, defeating them in the first round of the RMAC women's volleyball tournament at the UNK Health and Sports Center.

Julie Green posted 14 kills to help Metro to a 30-22, 30-28, 34-32 win over UCCS.

Stephanie Allison had 10 kills, while Sheena McLaughlin posted 18 digs. The 'Runners had a total of 25 blocks during the match. Sheena Bohannon tallied eight of those and six by Kylie Schmeeckle. Saturday's game against Colorado School of Mines put some high points on the board for a few of the women, including Green, Megan Wittenburg, and Allison. All three players had 20 or more kills to lead Metro to a 32-34, 30-22, 31-33, 30-24, 15-11 victory over Mines that afternoon.

"Mines played well against Mesa State yesterday and we knew we'd have our hands full," said head coach Debbie Hendricks.

Green had a high of 21 kills, while Wittenburg and Allison each tallied 20. Bohannon had 10 kills and nine blocks. McLaughlin had a season-high 26 digs, while Curtis tallied 69 assists.

Games one and two were split, and the 'Runners led by five late in game three. Mines managed to rally to win the game 33-31, and take the 2-1 lead. Nevertheless, Metro bounced back in game four and won without too much struggle. Then they closed out the Orediggers in game five, finishing the match.

"We had a substantial lead in the third game and it was tough on our confidence not to put it away," said Hendricks. "Then we actually fell behind 6-1 in the fifth game and, to come back, we played great. We played well in the fifth game all season and that helped us tonight."

Playing No. 1-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Sunday afternoon was another chance to show the RMAC what the 'Runners have, but the Lopers defeated Metro again. Green and Bohannon each had nine kills, while McLaughlin had 12 digs and Wittenburg had three blocks.

Although the 'Runners lost to Kearney, they finished the season 21-8.

"We can't spend any time on this match," said Hendricks. "What is ahead (regionals) is exciting and we need to focus on that. We are looking to accomplish great things in the regional tournament."

On Monday, Nov. 7, Metro was announced as the No. 3 seed in the RMAC volleyball tournament.

Gabrielle Curtis was named RMAC volleyball Setter of the Year. Junior outside hitter Stefanie Allison and sophomore setter Curtis were named first team all-RMAC. Second-team all-RMAC included senior outside hitter Sheena McLaughlin, while junior middle blocker Megan Wittenburg was named honorable mention.