Volleyball | November 7
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The Highland Scottie volleyball team far exceeded any expectations set forth in the beginning of the season, ending with a 31-12 overall record, the first 30+ win season in school history, hosting districts for the 2nd time, and finished 2nd in the KJCCC East with a 7-2 conference record.
Highland took on the KCKCC Blue Devils in the 1st round of District N play, whom they'd beaten in a 3-2 thriller earlier in the season. The first two sets did not come easy for the Scotties to take. Orozco had a kill and a block pushing the Scotties biggest lead 13-5 early forcing a Blue Devil timeout. The lead continued after a kill by Zealia Kletiz putting the Scotties up 18-10 ultimately taking the 1st set 25-15.
KCKCC had a quick lead 2-6 but Leslie Polanco and Kirsten Johnson each picked up 7 digs and Koie Orozco led the offense putting down five kills to win 25-22.
Sets three and four took a turn for Highland seeing more errors than they would normally commit with the Blue Devils gaining more and more momentum. The Scottie defense helped keep the sets close picking up 40 of the match total 85. Kleitz and Polanco had eight kills apiece but it just wasn't enough losing 23-25 and 18-25.
The 5th and deciding set saw an 8-3 start for Highland but the Blue Devils did not let up fighting back to 12-13. Kleitz put down a kill followed by another from Polanco to win the match 15-13.
Johnson and Polanco both had 25 and 21 digs each followed by Orozco with 16, who also put down 11 kills earning her 6th double-double of her career. Polanco and Kleitz had 16 kills each respectively. Pearson stayed consistent with 45 assists, one kill, seven digs, and two blocks. The team had nine total blocks and seven service aces.
After a 3-0 sweep of the Cowley Tigers over the Fort Scott Greyhounds the Scotties were eager to take on the Tigers in the championship match, who they had just beat 3-0 not five days earlier.
Highland saw an early 3-0 lead to start the match which continued to lead up to 11-8 after a kill by Emma Cohalla. The Tigers took their first lead at 18-17 and ran away with it to win over the Scotties 25-21.
The second set stayed tight all the way to 9-9 with kills by Orozco and Kleitz. The Tigers went on an 9-4 run to lead 18-13 and the Scotties could not get a rhythm going losing 17-25.
The momentum of the Tigers and low energy on the Scotties side of the net were both factors in the final set in the championship game. A big defensive set with 23 digs by the Scotties could not suffice and the Scotties season ended losing 19-25 in their final set of the season.
Four Highland players earned double digit digs with 64 team total and the offense was led by Orozco with 14 kills and Polanco with 10.
"I am very proud of these girls. Wanting absolute focus, dedication, sacrifice and they really have done more than what I've expected and that's what lead to such a great season." Commented Head Coach Jon Bingesser.
Polanco ended the season leading the KJCCC in total kills with 563 and ended 6th with 634 digs; libero Johnson right behind her with 607. Setter Katie Pearson totaled 1,433 sets on her season, 3rd in the conference, and middle Cohalla finished with 112 total blocks, 4th in the KJCCC and Kleitz earned 102, 6th in conference.
