Sept. 29, 2005

TORRINGTON, Wyo. - The days of the 9-9 record, though passing only recently, seem like ages ago for the Northeastern Junior College volleyball team. After Wednesday's 30-17, 30-17, 30-19 drubbing of Eastern Wyoming, the Plainswomen have won nine in a row to improve to 18-9.

Shelby Heggie had 13 kills while Ashley Kauffman had 11 and Ashley Murphey had 10. Setter Stacy Manweiler had 35 assists and Heggie and Jimilia McNeal each had five blocks.

Northeastern has used a monthlong road trip to find a new sense of urgency in the season. Wednesday marked the end of a September that saw the Plainswomen play 21 games away from Jackson Edwards Arena and, after initial struggles, hit its stride.

The turning point may have come last weekend when Northeastern went 7-0 in the WyoBraska tournament. What had been an average season was transformed into a potentially surging juggernaut.

Dan Nied/Journal-Advocate Northeastern Junior College middle hitter Ashley Murphey (14) and outside hitter Ashley Kauffman go for a stuff block during the South Sub-Region tournament in August. The Plainswomen did not have a home game in September, though they have won nine straight. The Plainswomen return home Saturday at 2 p.m. in the South Sub-Region opener against Trinidad.

That surge came at just the right time as the Plainswomen are set to open South Sub-Region play Saturday against Trinidad in their first home match since Aug. 31.

So how did the Plainswomen make the transformation? Two reasons stick out. First, there is finally consistency at setter. After platooning with Cidney Legg for the first few weeks of the year, Manweiler claimed the position on a full-time basis before the WyoBraska tournament.

"One of the obvious differences is that our ball control is much better than earlier in the season," Henry said. "Stacy Manweiler has settled into the setter job and the players are very comfortable with where she puts the ball."

It also helps when she can set the ball to a dominant front row, which is the other reason the Plainswomen have succeeded. It is no coincidence that this winning streak has coincided with the addition of middle/outside hitter Shelby Heggie to the lineup. Heggie was forced to sit out nearly every game prior to the WyoBraska tournament while her transcripts from the University of Wyoming, from where she transferred, were finalized. It was an excruciating wait for the former Division I starter, but now her presence is paying dividends.

Before Heggie's arrival, Northeastern's front row, featuring middle hitter Ashley Murphy, outside hitter Ashley Kauffman, outside hitter Janie Elkins and middle hitter Jimilia McNeal, was tough. With Heggie, they are nearly unbeatavle.

"Shelby's presence has made it difficult for teams to determine where we can go with the ball," Henry said.

And the Plainswomen have made their presence known to their last nine opponents. A win at home Saturday in the sub-region opener will open more eyes.