Box Score CONCORDIA, Kansas — The Cloud County Community College volleyball team took a big step forward Wednesday evening against No. 20 Colby Community College, testing the nationally ranked Trojans over four sets before falling: 17-25, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-15.
"We're on the road to recovery and we're trying to emphasize the idea of sharing the load with each other, trusting our teammates, and working together every chance we get," said Cloud County head coach, Molly Skocny. "I think (Wednesday) was a good display of that."
Cloud County (3-14 overall, 0-6 KJCCC) came out firing to begin the evening, jumping out to a quick 8-4 lead following a kill by redshirt sophomore Drew Mann.
The T-Birds took advantage of the lack of a true defensive net presence for the Trojans (16-2 overall, 6-0 KJCCC), who entered the contest ranked 13th in the KJCCC in total blocks with 77. Cloud would double up Colby at 18-9 and led by as many as 10 points en route to winning the first set, 25-17.
"We always talk about scoring in twos and threes, linking points together, and we were successful doing that," Skocny said. "We appeared in system, you could see that nice shift from defense to offense. It's now just about getting there every time."
Cloud's success was keyed by the back row passing of freshman libero Britt Michaelis, who ended the night with 27 digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Irem Bat was the prime beneficiary of those passes as she powered down a team-high 12 kills — five coming in the first set — while adding four solo blocks and two block assists.
"Britt Michaelis did a great job passing the ball all night. She was very solid for us in the back row and that allowed for our offense to do some good things," Skocny said. "Irem Bat has definitely come on and her confidence is improving each day. That's something we're really excited about. If we can fill some of the holes, eliminate some of the errors, I really think these kids can compete with anybody."
Set Two was a back and forth affair with the two KJCCC foes tied as late as 14-14 before a quick 7-3 burst allowed Colby to create some cushion to take the set, 25-21.
Cloud County was again in position to take another set off the Trojans in Set Three as the T-Birds held a 17-14 lead following back-to-back attack errors by Colby that forced a timeout.
Unfortunately for the T-Birds, the timeout proved to be a turning point. Colby finished the third set on an 11-2 run to go up 2-1 in the match and carried that momentum into the fourth set as the Trojans built an early 11-1 lead. They'd eventual take the fourth set, 25-15, to seal the victory.
"Colby built that momentum and it was hard for us to regain that," Skocny said. "I think that's where overall focus comes in. We've talked a lot about the importance of maintaining our focus for entire sets, for entire matches and through each play."
Mann and sophomore middle hitter Elizabeth Nobert helped Bat shoulder the load offensively as they finished seven kills and six kills, respectively.
Freshman setter Kamryn Stark finished with a team-high 22 assists, while fellow freshman setter Cammie Miller chipped in 13.
Cloud County will aim to build off Wednesday's effort when it continues its mini two-match home stand at 6:30 p.m. Monday against Pratt Community College.
"I hope the girls can build off (Wednesday). I've believed in their abilities since Day One," Skocny said. "I know what they are capable. I know they're frustrated and that their confidence does get attacked on some level. But I keep trying to tell them it's about perseverance and getting back up when you fail. I do believe at any moment this team can string together just as many wins as they've experienced losses. They've got to want it and put the work it, but I think it can eventually get there."
