MCC Volleyball upends unbeaten Gillette College

RIVERTON, Wyo. – The Lady Indian volleyball team knocked off previously unbeaten Gillette College Saturday morning on the final day of the Central Wyoming Invitational. McCook Community College fought off the Pronghorns to win in five sets.

“This team has it in them to do big things and this match showed what they can be capable of when they put their minds to it,” said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza.

MCC’s win came 26-24, 25-20, 22-25, 19-25 and 15-10.

Freshman Shana Muller (Gretz-Armainvilliers, France) who did not play Friday, had a season-high 13 kills, and added four assist blocks, one solo block, three aces and six digs.

“We altered a few things in this lineup and I think that helped us out,” said Kobza.

Sophomore transfer Paulina Fister (Tuszyn, Poland) led MCC with 14 kills and made it a double-double game with 13 digs, five assist blocks and one service ace. Freshman Anna Richardson (Worland, Wyo.) had 11 kills, three assist blocks, one solo block and four digs.

Freshman Leia Young (Amarillo, Texas) had a monster game in the middle with 14 assist blocks and nine kills. Freshman Bobbi Starkebaum (Haxtun, Colo.) had five kills and five assist blocks.

Zoe Mulholland (freshman, Lander, Wyo.) had 28 assists and 12 digs. Landree McNair (freshman, Imperial) had 18 assists, six digs, six assist blocks, one solo block and four kills.

Freshman Brooke Nelson (Berthoud, Colo.) led the defense with 14 digs and added three service aces.

For the past two weekends, the team was without sophomore outside hitter Charlee Russick (Berthoud, Colo.) who sat out five straight matches with an injury, but she did see the court this weekend in a limited role and had three digs and two kills in the Gillette win.

“We were still missing Charlee Russick as she was just released this Thursday to play, but I think she will be back ready to go this upcoming weekend,” said Kobza.

Gillette, one of three teams receiving votes this week who were not ranked in the NJCAA Top 20, falls to 14-1 with Saturday’s loss.

MCC goes to 4-10 and will begin the Region IX schedule Friday with a homecoming date against Otero College. That game is set for 6 p.m. in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. On Saturday MCC hosts Trinidad State at 2 p.m.

Up-to-date information about MCC volleyball including livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com