The Barton Community College volleyball team has been unanimously picked by coaches to defend their KJCCC Division title coming off their first league title since 2011.
The Cougars rattled off 12 straight KJCCC victories including seven straight in three-set fashion. Barton concluded the conference season 13-3 and a two-game cushion in the league race after its season sweeping of rival Hutchinson with its season ending in the Region VI Semifinals concluding the campaign at 25-6 and ranked No. 19.
Barton coach Megan Besecker was named the KJCCC/Region 6 Coach of Year leading six Cougars on last year's post-season recognition list.
The Cougars return five all-league selections led by NJCAA 2nd Team All-America selection Phoebe Reyes. Reyes was voted Player of the Year. She played on the U21 Dominican Republic NORCECA Continental Team.
Claflin's first team selection Kassidy Nixon plays on the outside and middle blocker all-league Anna Wierzbicki join honorable mention setter Elena Stankovic and outside hitter Mya Thompson.
Setter Maurin Reyes returns along with a trio of Cougars hit by injuries at some point last season and return for a comeback year, setter Josie McLean, middle blocker Abigale Hardison, and outside hitter Naya Danenberg whose injury in the Region 6 semifinals left the Cougars scrambling in their season ending defeat.
Additions for the season include Panola College transfer Sara Zuluaga Nohava in the middle, defensive specialist Mina Kaneko, outside hitter Kiara Aristy, middle hitter Aubrey Olander and Hoisington's defensive specialist Macy Nachtigal.
Defending Region 6/District Champions Colby was tabbed second followed by Dodge City and Butler rounding out the top four predictions.
Barton has a trio of scrimmages beginning tonight hosting Division II defending national champion Cowley College at 5:30 p.m. before a Thursday trip to McPherson College 5 p.m. followed by a Monday 4:00 p.m. start at Kansas Wesleyan University.
The Cougars have three non-conference weekend tournaments, opening the season Aug. 23 in Garden City followed by three days of action in Dodge City on Aug. 29 with a Sept. 13 two-day meet in Sterling, Colorado.
A three date homestand begins both the Cougars' home and conference opener beginning on Wednesday, Sep. 4, hosting Butler Community College. Pratt Community College follows on Monday, Sept. 9, with an ensuing Wednesday non-conference hosting of Iowa Western Community College.
Returning from the Sterling trip, Barton will play five conference matches to conclude September with just one home date coming on Sept. 21 against Dodge City Community College.
A busy home slate in October lines up highlighted by defending Region 6 and national qualifier Colby coming to the Barton Gym Oct. 16. Post-season play begins Nov. 6, in a hopeful first round hosting followed by the final two rounds taking place Nov. 9-10 at the 2024 KJCCC Champion's home venue.
The victor of the Nov. 10 championship qualifies to the NJCAA Tournament Nov. 20-23 in Clarksville, Tenn..
