2013-14 Barton Volleyball News

Season
Barton’s Mote and Rivera to continue volleyball playing careers at next level
Barton’s Mote and Rivera to continue volleyball playing careers at next level

Barton Community College volleyball players Jori Mote and Kiara Rivera have signed letters of intent to play at the next level. Mote has signed to play at NAIA Division I Kansas Wesleyan University while All-KJCCC and All-Region VI team member Rivera has signed with NCAA Division II Kentucky State University.

Great Bend’s Kylee Spray signs with Barton volleyball team for the 2014 season. Pictured (l to r, front row): Kip Spray (father), Kylee, Kelly Spray (mother); (l to r, back row): Barton assistant coach Kelsey Boyles, Great Bend HS head coach Kelsey Perry, and Barton head coach Phil Shoemaker.
Barton Volleyball signs Great Bend’s Spray

The Barton Community College volleyball program proudly announces the signing of Kylee Spray to its 2014 class of Lady Cougars. Spray joins six other signees to compliment the return of six players from last year’s 14-20 team that reached the final three of the Region VI Tournament in Phil Shoemaker’s first year leading the Lady Cougars.

Barton Volleyball to offer summer camps and leagues
Barton Volleyball to offer summer camps and leagues

The Barton Community College volleyball program is offering volleyball camps and leagues this summer for various age and grade levels. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited for each camp and league. Additional information and registration form can be obtained by contacting Coach Phil Shoemaker or online at www.BartonSports.com.

Barton's Piland and Rivera earn postseason awards
Barton's Piland and Rivera earn postseason awards

Barton Community College volleyball sophomores McKenzie Piland and Kiara Rivera were recently selected to the All-KJCCC/Alll-Region VI Division team. The Cougars completed their season Monday in the Region VI Tournament, dropping a heartbreaking fifth set match to Colby Community College in the loser’s bracket final. Under first year head coach Phil Shoemaker, the Cougars developed throughout the season to become one of the top teams in Region VI, winning seven of their last nine matches to finish the season at 14-20.

Barton's Tahje Ochs with an attack off the Colby Community College block during fourth set action Monday in the Region VI Playoffs.  Match played 11-11-13 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, KS.
Cougar Volleyball's run in region comes up short, lose fifth set heartbreaker to Colby

For the first two sets the Barton Community College volleyball team appeared headed to the Region VI Championship match winning 25-21 and 25-22. Colby Community College had other plans charging through the third and fourth set 25-16 and 25-17 to force an elimination fifth set. The Trojans jumped out to a 6-2 lead and held off a late Cougar charge to win the fifth 15-12. Barton finishes the season 14-20 while Colby improved to 26-9 and advanced to the Region VI Championship against Hutchinson Community College. The Blue Dragons went on to capture the region title sweeping Colby in straight sets.

Barton Volleyball Head Coach Phil Shoemaker visits with the team prior to Sunday's match against Hutchinson Community College.  Match played 11-10-13 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, KS.
Cougar Volleyball stays alive for region championship, sweep Seward County to advance to final three

The Barton Community College volleyball team bounced back from a disappointing first match to win their second match in straight sets to stay alive in the Region VI Tournament held in Hutchinson, Kansas. In the first match of the Region VI Final Four, the fourth seeded Cougars lost 3-1 to top seeded Hutchinson 16-25, 14-25, 25-19, and 22-25. Facing elimination, Barton took care of third seeded Seward County Community College 25-19, 25-21, 25-21 to end the Saints season for the third time in four years. The victory improved Barton’s record to 14-19 while the Saints finish the season at 22-17. Barton will play at 11:00 a.m. Monday against Colby Community College, as both teams will be facing elimination the rest of the tournament. The Trojans, who opened final four play with a 3-2 win over Seward County, lost to Hutchinson 3-1 in Sunday evening’s winner bracket final. Hutchinson awaits the winner of Barton-Colby for the Region VI Championship slated for 1:00 p.m. with a second championship match, if needed, set for approximately 3:00 p.m.

Barton's Kiara Rivera goes up for an attack in first set action Wednesday night at the Barton Gym versus Cloud County Community College.
Barton Volleyball advances to Region VI Final Four, sweep Cloud for sixth straight win

Behind a raucous home crowd, the Barton Community College volleyball team defeated Cloud County Community College in straight sets Wednesday night 25-9, 25-20, and 25-18. It was the sixth straight victory for the Cougars in improving to 13-18 on the season while ending Cloud County’s at 12-14. Barton will have over a week to prepare for the Region VI Final Four held in Hutchinson, Kansas on November 10. The fourth seeded Cougars will take on the top seed in the tournament and host Hutchinson Community College in a 12:00 p.m. match at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Barton's Jenna Reid in second set action Saturday night against Colby Community College.  Match played 9-28-13 at the Barton Gym on the campus of Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS.
Cougar Volleyball heads to post season winning fifth straight in knocking off first place Colby in four

The Barton Community College volleyball team closed out the regular season with a bang doing damage to the top of the conference standings Thursday night in Colby knocking off first place Colby Community College 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, and 25-21. Having already secured a first round home match after Tuesday’s victory over Cloud County Community College, Barton ends the regular season on a five match win streak to finish fourth in the conference at 8-6 and 12-18 overall. With the loss Colby drops into a first place tie with Hutchinson Community College at 12-2 and ends the regular season at 23-8. Barton will begin their quest for their 22nd region title on Wednesday October 30th as the Cougars host Cloud County in a 6:30 p.m. Region VI first round playoff match.

Cougar Volleyball’s Rivera receives conference defensive award
Cougar Volleyball’s Rivera receives conference defensive award

Barton Community College volleyball’s Kiara Rivera recently was named the KJCCC Verizon Wireless Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Sharing the honor with Colby Community College’s Danielle Rodriguez, the sophomore from Puerto Rico, Rivera helped anchor the defense in leading the Lady Cougars to two road conference victories. The 5’0” libero had 31 digs in seven sets to average 4.42 digs per set while also dishing out 9 assists, and a 2.4 (on 3.0 scale) serve receive passing percentage for the week.

Cougar Volleyball dominates on sophomore night, sweep Cloud County in three to ensure home playoff match
Cougar Volleyball dominates on sophomore night, sweep Cloud County in three to ensure home playoff match

The Barton Community College Volleyball team ensured a return trip to the Barton Gym by dominating Cloud County Community College 25-21, 25-20, and 25-14 Tuesday night. Barton improves to 11-18 overall and takes a half game lead over Cloud County in the conference standings for fourth place at 7-6 while ending the T-birds conference season at 7-7 and 12-13 overall. The Cougars’ victory ensures hosting Cloud County again in a first round Region VI playoff match regardless of Barton’s season finale at first-place Colby Community College on Thursday. As of press time, a time and date has not yet been determined for the rematch to determine who advances to the Region VI semifinals in November.

Barton's Casey Friesen sets the offensive attack during second set action against Pratt Community College.  Match played 9-18-13 at the Barton Gym on the campus of Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS.
Cougar Volleyball picks up road conference win over Pratt; Pivotal match looms Tuesday

The Barton Community College Volleyball team bounced back from a first set loss Thursday night on the road in defeating Pratt Community College 21-25, 25-16, 25-23, and 25-17. The victory improves the Cougars to 10-18 overall and 6-6 in conference play while dropping Pratt to 6-20 overall and 2-10 in conference play. Barton currently stands in fifth place but is in position for a home playoff match as two matches remain against teams they chase in the standings. The Cougars’ first mission in controlling its destiny will be next Tuesday as Barton hosts the 7-6 fourth place Cloud County Community College T-Birds in a 6:30 p.m. match at the Barton Gym. Barton will then conclude the regular season the following Thursday at first place Colby Community College.

Barton Volleyball's Mykela Riedl, Kiara Rivera, and Jennica O'Neill prepare for serve receive against Dodge City Community College.  Match played 9-11-13 at the Barton Gym on the campus of Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS.
Cougar Volleyball sweeps Dodge City for second time this season

For the second time this season, the Barton Community College Volleyball team made short work of Dodge City Community College, sweeping the Conquistadors in straight sets 25-20, 25-18, and 25-22 Tuesday night in Dodge City. The victory improves the Cougars to 5-6 in conference play and 9-18 overall while Dodge City drops to 1-10 in conference and 4-24 overall. With three remaining conference games, the Cougars still have a good shot at hosting a first round region playoff game. Barton will travel to Pratt Community College on Thursday for a 6:30 p.m. match at Dennis Lesh Arena, then host the Cloud County Community College T-Birds next Tuesday. Cloud, 7-5 in conference play, lead the Cougars in the standings which makes for a pivotal Jayhawk Conference match at the Barton Gym in possibly determining the hosting of a first round match.

Cougar Volleyball comes from behind in five-set nail biter
Cougar Volleyball comes from behind in five-set nail biter

The Barton Community College Volleyball team reached down deep Wednesday at the Barton Gym and pulled out a fifth set victory over Garden City Community College 25-19, 20-25, 22-25, 25-19, and 16-14. The win improves the Cougars to 4-6 in conference play and 8-18 overall while dropping Garden City to 3-7 in conference and 5-15 overall. Barton will hit the road for its next two games starting with Dodge City Community College on October 15 followed by a date two days later at Pratt Community College.

Lost opportunities result in road conference loss for Cougar Volleyball
Lost opportunities result in road conference loss for Cougar Volleyball

Much like the first match in early September, the Barton Community College volleyball team had its chances but couldn’t close out in a four set loss to Seward County Community College Friday afternoon in Liberal, Kansas. Having the Saints in a two-set deficit in their first meeting, the Cougars had the opportunities Friday afternoon in Liberal, Kansas to pick up a big road conference victory but simply couldn’t finish the deal. After taking the first set 25-19 the Cougars battled from behind the entire second set but came up on the short end of a 23-25 score. In a back-and-forth third, Barton failed to convert three set points and lost a tough 30-28 decision. Trailing most of the fourth, the Cougars erased a five point deficit to take a 21-18 lead before a controversial call swayed momentum and Seward closed out the fourth 25-23. The loss drops Barton into a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings dependent of Saturday's conference results at 3-6 and 7-16 overall while Seward solidifies its third place standing at 6-2 and 15-11.

Barton Volleyball goes 1-2 at Ozfest Invitational
Barton Volleyball goes 1-2 at Ozfest Invitational

The Barton Community College volleyball team went 1-2 this weekend at the Ozfest Invitational in Liberal, Kansas. Having lost a 3-1 conference match earlier in the day to Seward County Community College, the Cougars battled from behind to win a five set thriller over Western Texas College 25-15, 17-25, 18-25, 27-25, and 15-11. On Saturday Barton dropped a pair of straight set matches, the first coming to Vernon College 15-25, 19-25, and 19-25 followed by a 20-25, 20-25, and 17-25 loss to Frank Phillips College. The Cougars leave Liberal with a 7-18 season record and will take a 3-6 record into Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. conference match at the Barton Gym against Garden City Community College.

Cougars fall to hot streaking Blue Dragons
Cougars fall to hot streaking Blue Dragons

The Barton Community College Volleyball team simply couldn’t match the hot streaking Blue Dragons from Hutchinson Community College Wednesday night at the Barton Gym as the Cougars fell in three sets 20-25, 20-25, and 11-25. The loss drops the Cougars to 3-5 in conference play and 6-15 overall while nationally receiving votes Hutchinson improves to 7-1 and extends their win streak to ten matches in improving to 14-6 on the season.