Neosho County Community College

The Neosho County Community College volleyball team went 2-2 at the Triton Invitational hosted by Iowa Central Community College on Friday and Saturday, October 16-17. The Panthers faced a challenging schedule against Kirkwood Community College and Des Moines Area Community College on Friday before bouncing back with victories over Ellsworth Community College and North Iowa Area Community College on Saturday.
 

Neosho opened the tournament Friday against No. 1 ranked Kirkwood, falling in three sets, 18-25, 8-25, 18-25. Eliza Maraschin and Hedi Koppany led the Panthers with eight kills apiece, while Elyse Haxton added five kills. Georgia Rogers finished with 16 assists, and Koppany contributed two service aces.
 

The Panthers returned to the court Friday afternoon against DMACC but were unable to overcome the Bears, falling 17-25, 20-25, 19-25. Koppany led Neosho with eight kills, followed by Abigayle Misa-Uli Hudson with five. Rogers recorded 13 assists, while Misa-Uli Hudson led the defensive effort at the net with three total blocks.
 

Neosho responded Saturday morning against Ellsworth, earning a four-set victory, 25-16, 25-22, 11-25, 25-20. Makenzie LaRue paced the Panthers with 18 kills, while Maraschin added nine and Koppany finished with eight. Maraschin led the team with seven total blocks, and LaRue contributed six. Rogers distributed 28 assists and recorded 15 digs, while Janka Makai added 12 digs. The Panthers finished with 47 kills and 13 total blocks in the victory.
 

The Panthers closed the tournament Saturday afternoon with a dominant sweep of North Iowa Area Community College, winning 25-19, 25-15, 25-15. Koppany led Neosho with 10 kills, followed by LaRue with eight and Maraschin with six. Rogers recorded 20 assists, while Mckenzye Williamson led the team with 12 digs. Misa-Uli Hudson contributed seven total blocks as the Panthers secured their second win of the weekend.
 

Neosho will return home Wednesday, October 21, to host Coffeyville Community College. The Panthers will look to carry the momentum from Saturday's two victories into their next matchup.