season preview
2011
Season Preview Emily Hester
No. 16 Kansas City Kansas Sept. 7; No. 17 North Platte Sept. 23 and No. 5 Iowa Lakes Sept. 24. JCCC also faces Butler, who received votes, Oct. 21. But all JCCC fans might be anticipating the Oct. 26 match against No. 3 Cowley. That match could determine which team win the Jayhawk Conference title for 2011. That proved the case last year when JCCC won a hard-fought match, 3-2. “We are excited about the challenge this schedule presents, and it will benefit us when postseason arrives.” Ei said. “We will have already played big matches against tournament caliber competition.” The top returnee for Ei is sophomore middle hitter Emily Hester. An All-East Jayhawk Conference second-team pick last season, Hester was the only freshman to play in all 36 matches and 129 games. She ranked second on the team with 296 kills and led the squad with a .263 attack percentage. She also ranked second in blocks with 111. “Emily gained power over the spring season and should be an offensive threat at the net hitting and blocking.” Ei said.
Johnson County Community College head volleyball coach Jennifer Ei took over a traditionrich program in 2008, and in just three years she has established a legacy of success rivaled by her successors, Hall of Fame coaches Susan Brown and Jill Stinson. Ei has led all three of her teams to the NJCAA National Division II Tournament, finishing runner-up in 2008 and 2010 and sixth in 2009. Ei is looking for a fourth straight trip to nationals, but this year she and her team have their sites set on leaving with the grand prize – the NJCAA Championship Trophy. The rest of the nation thinks that might just play out this year. The Cavaliers have been selected the preseason No. 1 ranked team in the NJCAA Coaches Poll, one spot above Pasco-Hernando, the team that defeated JCCC for the title last year, and two ahead of Jayhawk Conference rival Cowley. Ei returns four players from last year’s team, but only two saw significant court time, so like any season at the community college level, there will be some holes to fill. Plus Ei will tell you a lot must take place before Johnson County can start speaking of winning a national title. The Cavaliers will again face a brutal schedule that features 13 schools that appeared in the 2011 NJCAA Preseason Poll, and JCCC will be tested immediately in their season opening weekend with they host No. 8 Kishwaukee Community College, No. 14 Central Community College and No. 11 East Central Community College. Their fourth opponent, Longview Community College, received votes. Johnson County will also face No. 15 Grand Rapids and No. 9 Owens on Sept. 2, followed by
Next in line in terms of experience is Brianna Winn, an outside hitter for Ei last season, will move to defensive specialist this season because of her great defense and ball control. Winn played in 31 matches and 76 games. She recorded 233 digs, fourth-best on the team. She had 41 digs in the national tournament. Crystal Simon returns to play outside hitter, but coach Ei says don’t let her 5-6 frame fool you.
Bragaw registered 459 digs and 47 aces her senior year and was also a MO-KAN All-Star. She was also a MHSVCA Class 4 All-District player while helping her team win three District titles. Ewing and Slater helped Lansing win thee league titles and were part of three state qualifying teams. Ewing was an All-Kaw Valley League performer her senior year as a middle and right-side hitter. Slater was a three-time all-league performer, a All-State Tournament Team selection as a junior and a MO-KAN All-Star as a senior. She set Lansing school records for digs in a career with 1,179, a season with 509 and a match with 28. McCarty was a three-time All-Kaw Valley selection and two-time Wyandotte County Player of the Year. She also was a MO-KAN All-Star and All-State selection. She set Bishop Ward’s school record for career blocks with 421 and kills with 819. Blusher spent time attending christian schools in both North Carolina and Kansas. While at Asheville Christian Academy in North Carolina, Blusher was a unanimous selection to the Delaware Valley South Division and voted the leagued MVP as a junior. As a senior, she returned to the metro area and earned honorable mention All-Sun Country honors. Tucker was a two-time City League performer and helped her team win a City title and finish fourth at the 6A State Tournament in 2008. She recorded 213 kills and 129 blocks her senior season.
“Crystal has great athletic ability and really matured during the spring season to become a great player.” said Ei. In her freshman campaign, Simon played in 31 matches and 70 games. She recorded 123 kills, including two double-figure matches, and 74 digs. Rounding out the returnees is Cassie O’Brien. She has the ability to play both middle and right-side hitter. A solid prep player, O’Brien looks to break out this year after seeing limited action as a freshman. She played in 15 matches and 19 games. Ei has added seven newcomers this year and each has the potential to step in and make an impact. “All seven of these ladies are talented, and five played on the same club team for years, so they have great team chemistry coming into our program.” Ei said. Those five are Jessica Anderson of Blue Valley West; Emily Bragaw of Blue Springs; Allison Ewing of Lansing; Shannon McCarty of Bishop Ward and Sara Slater of Lansing. The other two newcomers are Kim Blusher of Kansas City Christian and Perri Tucker of Wichita Heights. Anderson helped Blue Valley West to three consecutive 6A runner-up finishes from 2007-09, and a sixth place finish in 2010. She also was selected as a 2010 KVCA All-State and a MO-KAN All-Star.
Crystal Simon
2011 johnson county community college volleyball guide
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