By ALAN HOSKINS
Kansas City Kansas Community College wrapped up its best Jayhawk Conference volleyball season in more than a decade Wednesday night with a three-game sweep of Labette at Sophomore Night – with possibly the best still to come.
With an 8-2 Jayhawk record and 27-6 record overall, the No. 11 ranked Blue Devils finished in a tie with Coffeyville for second in the conference – the highest conference finish since back-to-back championships in 1999 and 2000.
The second place finish also sends KCKCC into a four-team district playoff at Coffeyville Nov. 3 where the Blue Devils have a chance to avenge one of their two conference losses, a four-set setback at Coffeyville Monday night.
KCKCC will close out regular season play at Longview Tuesday before entering the four-team playoff at Coffeyville for the right to advance to the national tournament. Fort Scott (22-11) and Neosho County (20-17) will be the first round opponents for KCKCC and Coffeyville (26-10).
Cowley County, the No. 1 ranked team and defending champion, wrapped up a perfect 33-0 season with a four-set win over Johnson County Wednesday and will host a second Region VI playoff for a national tournament berth.
The win dropped Johnson County into a tie with Butler for fourth place and those two teams will collide in first round play at Cowley Nov. 3.
Eight Blue Devil sophomores played their final home game in defeating Labette 25-14, 25-16, 25-15. They included Tara Van Beek, Lisa Angello, Sarah Mertens, Chelsea Sheldon-Medina, Jennie Kinsella, Leah Oehm, Amber Fraser and Courtney Gunnels.
