WC defeats Salt Lake in nail biter, moves on to semi-finals

It was an electric comeback for the Weatherford College volleyball team Thursday night, as the Coyotes recovered from an 0-2 deficit to win three straight sets and the match over Salt Lake Community College in the second round of the NJCAA National Tournament in Clarksville, Tennessee.

No. 2 seed WC (34-2) will face No. 3 Florida Southwestern College (26-3) Friday night in the national semifinal. Florida Southwestern has won the last three consecutive national championships.

The five-set showdown saw Salt Lake (26-5) jump out to a 7-2 lead in the first after multiple kills by Ryen Smith, who was the Bruins' most dominant player the entire match. The Coyotes took their first lead at 17-16, but after six tie scores, Salt Lake won 25-22.

In the second set, the Bruins went on a 10-5 run, as unforced errors plagued the Coyotes. Salt Lake ran away with it, 25-15.

But the third set was a different story. Head Coach Kailee May made some key substitutions that paid off well for the Coyotes. Multiple kills by Glorybell Puente and strong play by Grace Owens gave WC its first lead at 14-13.

     "She crushed it," said May on Owens overall performance. "She's normally a back row player, but I went with my gut and let her play six rotations in the front row. She had some aces; she had some kills…she was the MVP of the match for sure." 

Salt Lake had a 23-22 lead, but an uncharacteristic Bruin error tied the score, and Weatherford finished it off, 25-23, saving the match and forcing the fourth set. There were nine ties and five lead changes in the third set.

The Bruins built an 8-1 lead in the fourth set, but Weatherford went on a 10-2 run when Smith rotated out for Salt Lake. Seven ties, three lead changes, and an impressive near out of bounds dig by Owens helped the Coyotes win 27-25.

The momentum was Weatherford's in the fifth and deciding set. The score was tied four times, but WC went on a 7-4 run to finish the set. The final block by Puente and Gabbie Maldonado preserved their chances of playing for a national championship.

     "This is by far the most we've ever been pushed…this was our first five-set match this season, so for this group to come out and play with confidence is so impressive."

Beline Thibaut had a double-double with 16.5 points on 15 kills and 19 digs. Weronika Urbanska logged 10 kills. 

Kiana Souza had an outstanding 23 digs. Victoria Sanchez contributed 22 assists and Ally McCabe had 20.

For more information, visit wcathletics.com

Image provided by NJCAA