CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. — Great Bend Panther graduate Valarie Luna helped No. 1 ranked Cowley College volleyball team defeat Johnson County in the NJCAA Division 2 Volleyball National Championship, 18-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-21.

Luna played for Great Bend volleyball coach Shelly Duvall. Luna was named second-team and third team all-league the past two years. She recorded 169 and 209 winners the past two seasons. 

Cowley (40-0) captured back-to-back NJCAA Division 2 titles for a record 81-match winning streak in Division 2. Cowley has won four NJCAA volleyball championships.

"I knew Cowley had a great volleyball program. But never in a million years did I think we'd do this," Luna said. "We believed the only team that would beat us was ourselves. We stayed in the present and played one point, one set at a time."

The Tigers swept 120 of 125 sets with Kirkwood, Mo. pushing Cowley to five sets.

"We've been pushed at times," Luna said. "Kirkwood and Johnson County were two teams that pushed us to five sets the past two years. Johnson County pulled through and played great volleyball to get to the finals."

Luna appreciates Cowley coach Steven Gream and assistant Lana Milner.

"Coach Gream holds us to a high standard. Our goal is to always play 'Cowley volleyball,' she said. "Everyone steps up and plays their role. Players always have to be ready to contribute. Our coaches support us on-and-off the court."

Luna said she's thankful for the positive support in Great Bend. 

"I give credit to my Great Bend coaches in middle school and high school," Luna said. "They saw potential in me. Coach Duvall got me playing club volleyball. What we accomplished still doesn't feel real."

Cowley coach Steven Gream said, "This team has great chemistry, loves each other and plays for each other. They were 'With Each Other, For Each Other.' That was the secret to our success."

Most Valuable Player Laura Bonomi led the way with 21 kills and 15 digs.

"Laura learned from Rossana Papa, Sadie Kabisch, and Anna Kiss last year," Gream said. "She was a great leader and mentor to our new players. Laura also put the team on her back in the national tournament and led us to the championship."

Sara Puskus and Josci Buckley added 13 and 10 kills, respectively.

"Sara helped us balance the court on offense with her strong attack but also added a strong serve," Gream said. "She had a great national tournament and had a great Cowley career, ending top 10 in Cowley history in kills in a career."

Setter Hanna Darvas joined Bonomi with a double-double, finishing with 54 assists and 10 digs. Darvas and Puskus were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Lu Ceroni (nine kills) and Jessi Ritchhart (16 digs) also came up big in the win.

The sophomores on the team finish their two years at Cowley with a record of 81-0 and two national championships.

"Winning a national championship is very hard, but winning back-to-back national championships is super hard with everyone putting a bullseye on you to bring the best match of their season," Gream said.