Aug. 16, 2006

By Ken McDowell

Sports Editor

The Northeastern Junior College (NJC) Plainswomen have broke into the top 20 of the NJCAA volleyball polls the last several years, and there is every reason to believe that will happen again this season. NJC will open the 2006 season Sat., Aug. 26 in the South Sub-Region Tournament at Otero Junior College in La Junta. Last year the Plainswomen started out slow, owning a 9-9 mark through the first 18 matches. Then they caught fire by reeling off 16 straight wins and breaking into the top 20 in the national polls at 17th. NJC was once again stopped by Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) in the championship match of the Region IX Tournament, but nonetheless ended the season with an outstanding 35-13 mark. Five sophomores return from that team, including Erin Holbrook, 5-9 libero from Fort Collins; Ashley Kauffman, 6-0 outside hitter from Fort Morgan; Stacy Manweiler, 5-9 setter from Windsor; Callie Vrooman, 6-0 right side hitter from Kersey and Isabela Lachowski, 6-3 middle hitter from Curitiba PR, Brazil. Another sophomore, Jenny Andresen, a 5-1 libero from Parker, joins the Plainswomen this year after playing her freshman season at Otero Junior College. NJC Coach Marci Henry feels that Andresen could step right in and play a huge role on defense. "Jenny was Otero's libero last year and she did an excellent job," Henry reported. "She contacted us last Spring about coming here and we are glad to have her in our program. "Otero did beat us once early in the year last year, and a lot of credit goes to Jenny because she is so good at her position. So we're excited about the experience she brings and I think she could be a front runner to that position." Manweiler returns as the starting setter after having a very successful freshman season. The other returning full-time starter is Kauffman who also played a big role in NJC's success in 2005. Holbrook and Lachowski also saw extensive playing time and are ready to step in. Vrooman has recovered from a knee injury she suffered last year and is also looking for a big sophomore season. Henry again had another successful recruiting year by signing 10 freshman, including Cal-Poly transfer, lAddi Radke, 6-0 outside hitter from Corvallis, Ore.; Nancie Halfmann, 5-11 outside hitter from Aurora; Brittany Palmer, 5-7 setter from Colorado Springs; Thais Hollerbach, 5-7 outside hitter from Porto Alegre, Brazil; Myriah Storrer, 5-9 defensive specialist from Ordway; Kendra Buckmaster, 6-1 middle hitter from Longmont; Jessica Tjaden, 5-10 outside hitter from Julesburg; Tamy Leipelt, 6-2 outside hitter/ rightside hitter from Porto Alegre, Brazil; Davna Jenkins, 5-8 defensive specialist from Ordway and Cami Chapin, 5-3 defensive specialist from Weldona. Henry predicted that depth will be a strength for the Plainswomen this year. "We have a lot of players this year, and we'll see how that all gels together," she said. "We wanted depth, but at this point we do have a couple of players with potential knee problems. "But we feel pretty comfortable that we will have that depth and players pushing each other for positions. Right now it's hard to single anyone out because there are so many players who can make an immediate impact. We are really strong on the outside as well as the setter position. "We have some good kids coming back defensively, but we don't have as many middle hitters as we've had in the past. But I think that the three we do have will do a good job." The South Sub-Region this year once again consists of NJC, WNCC, Otero Junior College, Trinidad State, McCook, Neb. Community College and Lamar Community College. For the past two seasons NJC and WNCC have hooked in the Region IX Tournament championship match with WNCC winning both times. It is the biggest goal of all for the Plainswomen to turn the tables on the Lady Cougars this year. "We know the type of ball Western Nebraska plays and the things we have to do to compete with them," Henry said. "It is a very good rivalry between the two teams. We have both been ranked in the top 20 the past few years and we are so close geographically. "We like playing them and the type of competition they offer. Hopefully it will be our turn this year and I feel confident that we have the players to win the tournament and get back to the nationals." NJC's first home match will be Wed., Aug. 30 against North Platte, Neb.