All district volleyball

Acosta repeats as Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player; Barto named Freshman of the Year

Putting together one of the best regular seasons in school history, the No. 1-ranked Cowley College volleyball team was well represented on the All-Conference and All-District teams.
Highlighting the selections were sophomore Roslandy Acosta and freshman Emily Barto. Acosta was named the Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player for the second straight year, while Barto was tabbed the Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year. This marks the second straight year a Cowley player has won the awards.






“For us to win those honors two years in a row is a great thing for Cowley,” head coach Jenifer Bahner said. “It shows we are bringing in good kids.”
Acosta and Barto were joined as first-team all-conference and all-district performers by sophomore teammate, Elena Berroteran.
Acosta has amassed a team-high 362 kills to go along with 545 assists and 68 blocks.
“Rose does so much for our team offensively and as a setter,” Bahner said. “It has been great to see her grow into a great teammate and leader.”
Barto has tallied 267 kills and 44 blocks in her first year at Cowley.
“I am excited Emily got this honor because there are a lot of great freshmen in the conference,” Bahner said. “I think her ability to play more than one position at a high level swayed the coaches in their voting.”
Berroteran, who was mysteriously left off the first two-teams in the voting for all-conference honors as a freshman, has excelled as a libero for the Lady Tigers. She leads Cowley with 474 digs on the season, while adding 44 aces.
“I felt Elena didn’t get the recognition she deserved last year, so I was happy the coaches recognized what great contributions she makes to our team,” Bahner said.
Sophomore middle hitter Lindsey Chandler was also recognized for her solid play by being named a second-team all-district performer and an honorable mention all-conference player. Chandler has racked up 267 kills and 58 blocks this season.
“There are a lot of great middle hitters to compete against, so I was very happy for Lindsey,” Bahner said. “Statistically, she has done a lot of great things for the team.”
Cowley will attempt to get back to the national tournament when they host the District N Tournament Saturday inside W.S. Scott Auditorium. The Lady Tigers will host Allen County at 10 a.m. with the winner advancing to the championship match at 2 p.m.
All Conference Jayhawk East:
First-Team: Roslandy Acosta, Cowley; Brittany Brown, Butler; Nicole Rockhold, Allen County; Macie Kuker, Highland; Emily Barto, Cowley; Elizabeth Stevenson, Kansas City; Elena Berroteran, Cowley.
Second-Team: Annie Gladbach, Kansas City; Nikki Specht, Johnson County; Shannon Majors, Johnson County; Lindsey Williams, Butler; Pamela Lima, Coffeyville; Emily Hester, Johnson County; Erin Hardy, Johnson County; Mackenzie McCartney, Highland.
Honorable Mention: Lindsey Chandler, Cowley; Tayler Green, Johnson County; Kayla Zoglman, Butler; Amanda Newlin, Butler; Alex Schmitt, Neosho County; Ali Jacobson, Johnson County; Katie VanLue, Fort Scott; Eleanor Palaita, Independence.
District N selections:
First-Team: Roslandy Acosta, Cowley; Brittany Brown, Butler; Elena Berroteran, Cowley; Nicole Rockhold, Allen County; Emily Barto, Cowley; Pamela Lima, Coffeyville; Lindsey Williams, Butler.
Second-Team: Kayla Zoglman, Butler; Taylor DeMint, Coffeyville; Fernanda Silva, Coffeyville; Katie VanLue, Fort Scott; Lindsey Chandler, Cowley; Amanda Newlin, Butler; Amber Blunt, Coffeyville.