GREAT BEND, Kansas — In postseason play, winning a few key points can be the difference between advancing and going home. Unfortunately, for the Cloud County Community College volleyball team, the big points escaped them Tuesday during its 3-0 loss to Barton Community College in the first round of the NJCAA Region VI Tournament.

After the Cougars (24-9 overall) controlled much of the first set, the T-Birds (13-20 overall) were in prime position to win even the match as they led much of the second set, including a late 19-17 advantage when Barton burned its final timeout.

Cloud County was unable to put the Cougars away, though, as the home team fought back to take a 22-21 lead, then finished the set on a mini 3-0 blitz to claim the second set, 25-23.

The pattern repeated itself in the third set as the T-Birds would again hold a late lead at 16-14 with a chance to extend the match only to have Barton counter; this time with a 5-0 run to snatch a 19-16 lead. The Cougars' run was a backbreaker as they finished the set on a 6-2 run to win the third set 25-18 and complete the sweep.

Freshman outside hitter Elizabeth Nobert led all T-Birds with eight kills, while redshirt freshman Drew Mann had seven kills, and freshmen Katelyn Ruth and Irem Bat each added six kills. Bat also chipped in a team-high two solo blocks.

A pair of Cloud County sophomores, defensive specialist Bailey Lewis and outside hitter Cara Flach, each had strong showings in their final match as T-Birds as Flach had seven kills and a team-high 19 assists. Lewis had a team-high nine digs and a service ace, giving her a team best 34 for the season.