As the 6th seed in the NJCAA Volleyball Tournament, the No. 7-ranked Bruins will face the No. 14-ranked Hill College Rebels, who are the 11th seed in the tournament. The tournament will start on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m. with the Bruins game broadcast at www.njcaatv.com/volleyballchamp/. The team is guaranteed at least two games during the tournament.
Keys to victory
1. Get pumped! The Bruins have a tendency to come out flat for morning games, and it generally takes a set for them to get involved in the game. With competition of this caliber, the Bruins are going to need to come out with energy.
2. Defense. The Bruins have been able to control games with their defense. When Janessa Koelliker, Jillian Campbell, Carol Grasso and Bailee Kendall are controlling the area above the net, it demoralizes the other team.
3. Wait to use the dink. If Kendall is smashing home the ball, don’t use the dink until she has destroyed the defense. The Bruins have had games where they wanted to get cute, and they avoid using their strength. However, any player finding herself on the receiving end of a fifth power display by Kendall will also think twice about getting the way. That hesitation is all it takes for the Bruins to score the point.
4. Take what the defense gives. Yes, the Bruins have the power of Kendall and the athleticism and pinpoint precision of Grasso on the outside, but they also have a pair of 6-footers in the middle. Campbell and Koelliker are capable of beating teams if the Bruins allow them to. If the team is soft in the middle, let the two middle hitters attack the center, and when Grasso is in the back court, she can do the same.
5. Have Fun! The Bruins are at their best when they are enjoying the game. When Indigo Allen is putting in a little extra hustle, Henrie is reaching into her bag of tricks with a set kill or a defensive block of her own and Grasso is doing a little bit of everything, the team feeds of their enthusiasm, and the game almost comes too easy.
The Bruins finished the season 24-6 including being undefeated in conference play and sweeping the Region 18 tournament. Sue Dulaney was named Coach of the Year, and outside hitter Grasso was named Most Valuable Player for the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Outside hitter Kendall was named to All- Conference First-Team along with Grasso. Middle Hitter Campbell was named All-Conference Second-Team, and setter Henrie and libero Allen were given honorable mention.
The Rebels are the Region V Tournament champions and have a record of 28-7. Hill features four First-Team All-Conference players, including Most Valuable Player, setter Chelby Stanford, and Defensive Player of the Year, libero Amy Holt. Right-side hitter Tammy Leranth and outside Hitter Laycia Robinson are the other two Rebels on the First-Team All-Conference. Samantha Erger became the Rebel volleyball coach in March.
If the Bruins win, they will face the winner of the 3 seed Western Nebraska Community College versus 14 seed Hutchison Community College on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
For after game coverage, visit www.globeslcc.com, where internet games will be recapped.
