More details on Cowley Volleyball

By Rama Peroo
Trailing sixth-seeded Kishwaukee (IL) Community College two games to one, Cowley College head volleyball coach Jenifer Bahner made a move that would jumpstart her team to a come from behind win in the second-round of the NJCAA Division II National Tournament played Thursday in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
With her team only one game away from having its national championship dreams dashed, Bahner changed up her lineup before the fourth game and moved sophomore libero, Elena Berroteran, to the front row. The move paid off as Berroteran would spark the team and finish with nine kills in the last two games. It was only fitting that Berroteran would spike home the final point in the decisive 18-16 win of game five.




“I felt we needed someone to put pressure on their defense and moving Elena to the front row made a huge difference in the match,” Bahner said.
Cowley ended up winning the match by scores of 21-25, 25-15, 27-29, 25-20, 18-16. The victory avenged a season-opening loss to Kishwaukee in a match played at the Johnson County Tournament.
“That was a great game against a very good team,” Bahner said. “That is what nationals is all about is playing great teams and having to battle to win.”
With the victory, Cowley advances to take on Jayhawk Conference foe Johnson County tonight at 6:30 p.m. The second-seeded Lady Cavaliers are 29-5 on the season.
In the win over Kishwaukee, sophomore outside hitter, Roslandy Acosta, had a match for the ages as she finished with 29 kills, 21 assists and 14 digs.
“She stepped up and was the great player that she is,” Bahner said. “She made big plays when we needed them and did it while being a leader and great teammate.”
With the move of Berroteran to the front row, Kaitlin Stearns moved from her spot as a defensive specialist to play libero.
“Kaitlin did a great job making that transition and we didn’t miss a beat defensively,” Bahner said.
Freshman setter Molley Scanlon finished with a team-high 30 assists and five aces, while Berroteran led Cowley with 15 digs.
Earlier in the day, Cowley opened the tournament with a 25-22, 25-8, 25-14 win over 14th-seeded Moraine Valley Community College.
In the win, sophomores Sarah Skinner and Lindsey Chandler led the Lady Tigers with eight kills and seven kills, respectively.
“I was proud of those two to step up and do well at nationals,” Bahner said.
Freshman defensive specialist, Shanna Seyfarth, chipped in with seven digs.
“It was great to see her rise to the occasion,” Bahner said.
Cowley (33-3) has won 33 of its last 34 matches with its only loss in that time coming at Johnson County on Oct. 27.
Bahner and the rest of the Lady Tigers have been hoping to get another shot at playing Johnson County. This time, the winner will advance to Saturday’s championship match at 6:30 p.m., while the loser will have to settle for playing in the third place match.
“We knew we wanted to play them again, I think this will put a little more fire in us,” Bahner said. “Johnson County is a good team. It will come down to who is going to go out there and fight for it the most. We will be ready for the match.”