Barton Volleyball ends regular season with loss at Hutch

The Barton Community College volleyball team ran across a formidable wall Thursday night as the Cougars lost in straight sets at Hutchinson Community College 25-16, 25-15, and 20-25.  Barton ends the regular season at 5-11 in conference play and 7-25 on the season while Jayhawk champion Hutchinson finishes the conference unblemished at 16-0 and improved to 24-12 overall.

"Well as has been true all season in the KJCCC, tonight Hutchinson was the better team," said Barton Head Coach Phil Shoemaker. "Our determination to grow and improve, to make the most of each opportunity took a beating. That's frustrating. From here on its win or go home."

Kim Hockley and Jessie Sewell led the Cougars with five kills each while Jenna Reid led the defensive effort with four blocks.  Despite only playing three sets and a team .058 attack percentage, Casey Friesen managed to record he twelfth double-double of the season leading the Cougars with eleven assists and ten digs while Mykela Reidl led the team with thirteen digs.

The Cougars will await final regular season results before pairings are announced for the upcoming Region VI playoffs to be held November 9-10 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

"Whichever team we play will be a challenge to be sure, and we need to be strong mentally as well as physically to be up to the task," Shoemaker said.  "I feel like we are making correct moves, giving the effort needed, communicating well, and using correct tactics about half the time, and from about half the team. Our goal will be to increase the consistency to much higher levels in each of these critical areas."