The No. 9 Salt Lake Community College volleyball team has experienced a roller-coaster of emotions in recent weeks.
College of Southern Nevada preseason tournament
After losing to Arizona Western College on Sept. 13 to begin the tournament, SLCC upended then-No. 1 Seward County Community College in an epic five-set match that afternoon. An offensive masterpiece carried the Bruins, registering 50 kills and five aces as a team.
Kennadee Christensen led the team with 17 kills, followed by Ariane Pola tallying nine kills and contributing six blocks.
After the emotionally-charged win against Seward County, the Bruins suffered a letdown, falling to Miami Dade College 3-1 and Central Wyoming College 3-1.
Head coach Sue Dulaney said of the lackluster finish, “We’re disappointed as a team because we didn’t match the expectations we have for ourselves.”
WyoBraska Tournament
Looking to end their two-match losing streak, SLCC eyed a midwest road trip to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Torrington, Wyoming, for the WyoBraska Tournament Sept. 19-21.
At the time, Dulaney said, “This weekend is filled with talent. We can’t take anything for granted at this point, we will be ready.”
After trailing 2-0 against Western Nebraska on Thursday, SLCC rallied to take the next three games and win the match. Following the tournament opener, the Bruins didn’t look back.
SLCC defeated then-No. 19 Northeastern 3-1 and then dominated Eastern Wyoming 3-1 in Friday’s doubleheader. The tournament concluded Saturday with a decisive Bruin victory, 3-1 over Laramie County.
Back home in Bruin Arena
Following the WyoBraska Tournament, the Bruins returned to the Lifetime Activities Center for their first match at home in nearly three weeks.
SLCC dropped their final preseason match of the year 3-1 against Western Wyoming Community College on Tuesday. Kaitlynn Bradley led the Bruins with a career-high 11 kills.
The Bruins (17-5) will begin their Scenic West Athletic Conference schedule Thursday against No. 15 USU Eastern, followed by a match against Colorado Northwestern Community College on Saturday.
