Volleyball gets back on track against winless Hesston

The Cowley College volleyball team snapped a three-game losing skid with a straight set victory at winless Hesston College on Thursday. The Lady Tigers defeated the Larks 25-12, 25-13, 25-21.

"We did a good job of executing and cutting down our unforced errors," Cowley head coach Steven Gream said. "We put the pressure on them and they made mistakes to help us."

The victory improves Cowley's record to 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. Hesston continues to search for its first win of the season as they are now 0-7 overall and 0-5 in the Jayhawk East.

Leading set one by a score of 11-5, Cowley rattled off four straight points and never looked back in the 25-12 win of the opening set.

Leading 14-9 in set two, Cowley would score six of the next seven points to seize control en route to the 25-13 win.

The Lady Tigers fell behind 10-5 in set three before rattling off six straight points to go in front 11-10. The final set would then feature 10 ties, the final of which came at 20-20, before Cowley prevailed 25-21.

"We let our foot off the gas a bit in that final set, but eventually cleaned things up and were able to finish off the win," Gream said.

The Lady Tigers were led by sophomore Iva Halacheva's 15 kills, while freshman Madisyn Pitts added eight kills.

"We are starting to run more of our offense and not rely so much on only one person," Gream said.

Cowley will face a tough test on Saturday when they travel to take on No. 9-ranked Highland Community College at 11 a.m. The Lady Scotties are 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Jayhawk East.

"Highland is playing consistent volleyball right now, so we need to put the pressure on them," Gream said.

Cowley's home match on Monday vs. Coffeyville has been moved to Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Red Ravens are 2-2 in the Jayhawk East.