Volleyball: Raiders Take Region IX

The Central Community College volleyball team claimed the Region IX volleyball championship for 2016 with a five-set win over North Platte. The Raiders took the first set, 25-23, and the Knights equaled the match by taking the second set with the identical score. North Platte moved ahead with a 25-18 victory in the third set, followed by CCC tying the match at two sets apiece with a 25-13 victory in the fourth set. Then the Raiders and the Knights battled it out in the decisive fifth set with CCC outlasting North Platte, 17-15. The championship match between CCC and North Platte was quite a contrast from the first round match the teams played on Friday night, when the Raiders defeated the Knights in a shutout – 25-17, 25-18, 25-15.

"North Platte gave us everything that we wanted and I have to give it to them that they played wonderful on defense and that their block was a tough one to deal with," said CCC head coach Mary Young. "We knew all along North Platte could do some of those things and they did. I feel fortunate that we were able to push through the wall on the fifth set."

Maeghan Pieper and Chainey Tompkin led the Raiders in kills with 19 and 18, respectively. Riley Dorn posted a season-high 62 assists, while Sydney Yong totaled 27 digs, also a season best.

"Sydney was really intense, especially on the last point of the match. She was really all over the place," said Young. "I thought Riley did a real exceptional job of finding our middles."

Dorn and Yong, along with Pieper and Tompkin were named to the All Region IX Tournament team. Keshia Ellwanger along with Dorn, Yong and Pieper were named to the All Region IX team.

Up next, CCC will host the District G playoff against North Dakota State College of Science on Friday and Saturday at Raider Fieldhouse in a two-out-of-three format.

"We're thrilled obviously to extend our season another week," said Young. "That's always our goal going into the year: to win our conference, win our region and put ourselves in position to qualify for the national tournament."

NDSCS won the Region VIII tournament last Wednesday over Bismarck State College. The Raiders and the Wildcats met back on Sept. 3 at the Northeast Community College tournament. CCC swept NCSCS – 25-16, 26-24, 25-18. Young is expecting a much more competitive match this time around.

"I know they are an improved team, but at the same time, we are an improved team," said Young. "I feel good about the opportunity we have and I'm feeling that we obviously love having (the playoffs) at home in front of our crowd, our students and our fans. So, I think that's a pretty special moment for our players."

Friday's match starts at 7 p.m., while Saturday's begins at 11 a.m. If a third set is necessary to determine a winner, it will start 30 minutes after the second match.