INDEPENDENCE — A couple conference losses of late seemed to take the heart out of Allen County Community College’s volleyball team. The Red Devils lost to Fort Scott and Butler in five sets at home and dropped a four-set match at Highland.
Allen County got a little bounce as they head into this weekend’s Coffeyville Community College tournament. On the road Wednesday night, the Red Devils won in straight sets over Independence Community College’s Lady Pirates.
The Red Devils beat the Lady Pirates 25-11, 25-15, 25-16. The win evened Allen County’s Jayhawk Eastern Division mark at 3-3, putting it fifth. The Red Devils are seventh in NJCAA Division II Region VI play.
Allen County (10-14) begins play in the Coffeyville tournament today against Independence and Coffeyville. On Saturday, the Red Devils play Neosho County and Labette.
“We were able to go in an effectively run, an offense that Independence couldn’t compete with,” said Jessica Peters, ACCC head coach. “We were very effective at the service line with eight team ace serves.”
Peters said the Red Devils did not put up as many blocks at the net as she would have liked but part of that came with the lack of attacks at the net the Lady Pirates produced on the night. She said the Lady Pirates could not get a block on Jordyne Seichepine’s attacks for ACCC.
“Makhala (Giardina), Alli (Jenicke) and Hayley (Mertens) all worked their way around blocks. We moved our offense around, switching right side (hitter) Makhala with outside hitter Hayley, allowing each of them an opportunity to be a threat in a different position,” Peters said.
Jenicke powered down 20 kills and had one block assist at the net. Seichepine put down 17 kills and had one block assist.
Giardina made two solo blocks, had one assisted block and tagged 16 kills. Mertens had 14 kills, one solo block and one assisted block.
Jacqui Ortiz was credited with 21 set assists and Alisha Keith had 10 assists. Ortiz served three aces as did Giardina. Sabrina Stanley and Autumn Douglas each had a service ace.
Jenicke and Stanley each came up with 10 defensive digs. Ortiz had eight digs.
Allen County hosts Johnson County Community College at 5:30 p.m. Johnson County is ranked 12th in NJCAA Division II.
Devils chalk up victory
