WC volleyball rolling into nationals

To put it simply, the Weatherford College Coyotes want a national volleyball championship - and they have the talent to bring one home this season.

The Coyotes enter the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Championship as the No. 2 seed. The tournament begins Wednesday, Nov. 19 and will crown a national champion on Saturday, Nov. 22.

The Coyotes (32-2) come in on the heels of a dominant performance in the Region V Tournament, which they hosted at the Betty Jo Graber Athletic Center. It was an extension of the dominance they've shown all season as they've yet to have a victorious match go all five sets.

"We are playing our best volleyball at the right time. After our showing at regionals, I know they are ready for a big performance at nationals," head coach Kailee May said. "We have been working in practice every day to find the best version of this team, and I think we've done it."

Of their 32 victories, Weatherford has won 29 by 3-0 scores.

The Coyotes begin the tournament against No. 15 seed Casper, Wyoming Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, Tennessee. There's a bit of irony in that match as Casper is the site of WC's only other team national championship - the WC women won a national rodeo title there in 2022.

This is the Coyotes' third consecutive trip to the national tournament. Over half the team is making a return and May said they are hungry for redemption.

"They have been the driving force in motivating the freshmen and painting an accurate picture of what the expectations and standards are for the level of play we need to be at when we arrive in Clarksville," May said.

Those returning are Victoria Sanchez, Weronika Urbanska, Gabbie Maldonado, Kiana Souza, Harmony Soles and Amelie Shalfoon.

"All had significant roles on the court last year at nationals. I know they are all ready for another shot," May said.

The Coyotes could be looking at a rematch with Florida Southwestern, the No. 3 seed, in the third round, along with a possible rematch with No. 1 Miami Dade in the championship match. Weatherford's only two losses were 3-0 to each team in September in the Eastern Florida State College Titan Invitational in Melbourne.

"We did not play well the first time around against Florida Southwestern. I know the team will be fired up to play them in order to prove where we stand against the best teams in the country," May said. "I have no doubt they will go all out in those matches."

After those back-to-back losses, May said some changes were made to the lineup that felt major at first, but she added the team bought into the adjustments. They've since won 20 consecutive matches.

"They worked really hard in the following weeks and overcame some hurdles in order to get to the regional tournament," May said. "This is the most selfless team I have ever had, and watching them support each other's successes has been really special. I know that mentality will take us far into nationals.

"This team has something coaches dream about. To have a group of 19 athletes 100% bought in to what we're doing as a whole is remarkable. I am so excited we have the opportunity to showcase that at nationals."