ANDREW TOWNE - Chanute Tribune Sports editor

Chanute, KS- The Neosho County Community College volleyball team won its first three matches of the weekend before falling to No. 5-ranked Coffeyville Community College in the tournament finale Saturday afternoon."It was a good weekend for us. It is always nice to be able to be able to host a tournament at home and not have to travel," Coach Asya Herron said. On Friday, the Panthers began the tournament, rolling past Allen County Community College, 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-18). "All of our middles did a really good job," Herron said. "We got to see a few more kids get in and do some different things." Kalyn Bitner led Neosho County with eight kills, while Maryssa Recio, Ryann Flax and Joanna Riggs added seven. The Panthers also had three blocks from Karlye Wagner and Bitner. Later that afternoon, Neosho County was able to avenge an earlier season loss to Southeast (Neb.) Community College.
The Panthers pulled off a 3-0 (25-18, 25-11, 25-14) sweep. "When we played them it the first time, it wasn't our best game," Herron said. "We wanted to come back and dominate. The girls were very prepared for that game." The first time around, Neosho County struggled with Southeast's defense, but this time around, the Panthers were more aggressive and made fewer mistakes. "We made too many attacking errors," Herron said. "This time, their defense was still great, but we happened to be more aggressive and find some of their wholes. It was nice to get some redemption." Chandler Karr led all hitters with 11 kills, while Recio had seven. The Panthers also got a pair of blocks from Karr and Bitner.
    The next day, Neosho County squared off against NEO A&M, and the visitors from Miami, Okla. took the Panthers to four sets. Neosho County responded from the third set loss with a 25-15 victory in the fourth set. "They are another good team. It seems like their only losses are to Jayhawk teams," Herron said of NEO.
Recio blistered the opposition with 16 kills. "Maryssa had a great week hitting percentage-wise," Herron said. "She had only 10 errors last week total which is huge, including only one against Coffeyville." In the tournament's final match, the Lady Red Ravens shutout the Panthers 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 27-25). This time it was Riggs who led Neosho County with 12 kills. "We've transitioned Joanna Riggs to the outside, and she's adjusted well," Herron said. Neosho County is now 17-7 on the season and 3-1 in the KJCCC and has won seven of their last eight matches. "I feel like we've gained a lot of confidence over the last week, and you can see it in how they are playing," Assistant Coach Marisa Compton said. "Our offense has become more dynamic, and we had a lot of people contributing."
The Panthers will travel to Overland Park on Wednesday to face Johnson County Community College at 5:30 pm. "It will be a big conference matchup for us," Herron concluded. "I don't know a ton about them, but they are always a top-notch program. Our key will be ball control and serve receive offense."