Lady Tiger volleyball team sweeps season series against Coffeyville

The Cowley College volleyball team defeated Coffeyville Community College and Metropolitan Community College for the second time this season Monday in Coffeyville. The Lady Tigers opened with a 25-22, 17-25, 25-16, 25-29 win over Coffeyville before defeating Metropolitan 25-12, 25-18, 25-19.

The Lady Tigers, winners of 10 of their past 12 matches, improves to 15-9 overall and 9-9 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. The win over Coffeyville moves Cowley in front of the Lady Red Ravens in the conference standings as Coffeyville is now 9-10 overall and 7-7 in the Jayhawk East. Cowley is currently seventh in the 11-team conference.

"It is always tough to win at Coffeyville," Cowley head coach Steven Gream said. "I thought we battled and were aggressive with our serve, which helped neutralize their middle hitters."

In the match against Coffeyville, Cowley trailed set one 21-20 before coming away with the 25-22 win. The Lady Tigers would lead set two by a score of 15-13 before the Lady Red Ravens closed with a 12-2 run to win 25-17.

Clinging to an 11-10 lead in set three, Cowley pulled away to win 25-16. Then, trailing 5-2 in set four, Cowley scored eight of the next nine points to lead 10-6. However, after Coffeyville rallied to tie the game at 11-11, the Lady Tigers gradually pulled away for the 25-19 win.

"I thought other than the second set we were able to dictate the tempo of the match," Gream said.

Sophomore Iva Halacheva led the Lady Tigers with 21 kills and 10 digs and moved into third place in career kills at Cowley, surpassing recent Tiger Hall of Fame addition Eliane (Lilli) Domingos.

Freshmen Macy Shreffler and Maddy Pitts added 12 and nine kills, respectively, and the Lady Tigers had four players reach double figures in digs.

Freshman setter Gracie Story finished with 40 assists and 10 digs.

"Gracie stepped up big in the Coffeyville match and allowed our hitters to get good swings and have a balanced attack," Gream said.

Against Metropolitan Community College, Halacheva finished with 14 kills. Shreffler and Pitts added 11 and nine kills, respectively.

Defensive specialist/libero Erin Thompson, who had 15 digs in the win over Coffeyville, led the team with 20 digs against MCC, while Gracie Story had 38 assists.

"Erin is growing in the position and getting better all the time," Gream said.

Cowley has two conference matches remaining beginning with a match at last place Labette Community College on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The Cardinals, losers of 13 matches in a row, are 1-18 overall and 1-16 in the Jayhawk East.

"With the playoffs nearing, we need to keep adding to our game and play at a high-level on Thursday," Gream said.