MCC Captures Regional Championship
11/1/2008
SPRINGFIELD, MO- The women’s volleyball team captured their third regional championship in the last four years as they defeated Grace University in the championship match.
The following players received regional awards: Ellie Stutzman - Regional Co-MVP,
Jen McGauley - Regional Libero of the Year,
Rachel Miller - 1st Team All Region,
Risa Wolf - 2nd Team All Region.
MCC will now advance to the NCCAA National Tournament (Nov. 13-15) hosted at Grace University in Omaha, NE.
MCC Takes Conference Championship
10/27/2008
HAVILAND, KS - The Lady Crusaders won the Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament this past weekend. This marks the first Conference Tournament win since 1999. MCC finished 10-1 in the Conference losing only to the Regular Season Co-Champions Grace University during the regular season.
The weekend started off with MCC taking on Calvary Bible College. MCC came out strong and easily made their way past CBC winning in three sets, 25-10, 25-19 and 25-17. Aly Woodbury had a season high 11 kills out of 14 attempts. Risa Wolf had 10 kills out of 14 attempts. Jen McGauley was outstanding in the back row with 13 digs. MCC finished the match with 42 kills, 36 assists, 6 aces, 57 digs and 5 blocks.
The next match for the Lady Crusaders was the Championship Match against Grace University. Both teams came ready to play and show who was the best! MCC came out with an early lead and took the first set 25-13. Grace came rallying back in the next two sets winning 24-26 and 23-25. The fourth and fifth sets were all MCC! The Lady Crusaders dominated taking the sets 25-19 and 15-8. It was an exciting finish to a great Conference season. This Conference Tournament win is the first for MCC since 1999. Risa Wolf had an outstanding game finishing with a season high 23 kills! Rachel Miller also finished with a season high 18 kills. Ellie Stutzman had 55 assists, 8 kills, and 11 digs. Jen McGauley and Tiffany Brax were unstoppable on defense finishing with 25 and 21 digs respectively. MCC had 72 kills, 63 assists, 3 aces, 90 digs and 8 total blocks.
All Conference Awards were given to the following players:
Ellie Stutzman - 1st Team All Conference
Rachel Miller - 1st Team All Conference
Jen McGauley - 2nd Team All Conference
Risa Wolf - 2nd Team All Conference
Katie Crum - Honorable Mention
MCC Defeats Two Conference Opponents
10/20/2008
PAPILLION, NE - This past weekend, the Lady Crusaders traveled to Nebraska to take on Grace University. Grace was undefeated in the Conference and had already beaten MCC twice this season. The Lady Crusaders came out strong and took control of the match defeating Grace in three sets.
"We worked really hard this week on hitting to spots we knew were open on Grace's defense and also on blocking. It showed in our game tonight. Our hitters were consistenly hitting to the open spots and we finished the game with 11 blocks, a season high for the team. I was extremely proud of the way the entire team stepped up their game and gave it all on the court! It was great to finally have a win over Grace!" exclaimed Coach Sanders.
Four girls had outstanding attacking for the match, Katie Crum, Laura Skiles, Aly Woodbury and Risa Wolf each finished with 8 kills. Our blocking was led by Risa Wolf with 6 blocks, Ellie Stutzman added 4 blocks and Katie Crum had 1 block. Jen McGauley led the defense with 19 digs and Tiffany Brax was close behind with 11 digs. Ellie Stutzman continues to solidly lead the offense with 37 assists. The team finished with 42 kills, 5 aces, 59 digs, 37 assists and 11 blocks.
The next day, MCC took on another Conference opponent Nebraska Christian College in Papillion. MCC struggled to get going in the first set, but came around in the second and third solidly win the match in three. Rachel Miller and Risa Wolf led the offense with 8 kills each, Aly Woodbury finished with 7 kills and Laura Skiles and Ellie Stutzman put down six kills each. Jen McGauley again led the defense with 21 digs. The team finished the match with 42 kills, 11 aces, 45 digs, 35 assists and 4 blocks.
Win Streak Back to Three
10/1/2008
LINCOLN, NE - The Lady Crusaders travelled to Lincoln, NE to play Union College last night. MCC struggled to get in the game during the first set, losing 11-25. After a few line up changes and a new attitude, MCC came back strong and controlled the rest of the match. Rachel Miller dominated on the outside with 13 kills. Laura Skiles, Ellie Stutzman, Aly Woodbury and Risa Wolf all contributed 8 kills. Jen McGauley had 28 digs and Tiffany Brax had 20 digs. "The team served tough, putting down 10 aces and passed very well which helped our offense. I was extremely proud of the way the girls turned the match around after the first set," exclaimed Coach Sanders.
The team finished with 51 kills, 42 assists, 10 aces and 7 blocks. MCC will travel to Calvary Bible College next Tuesday.
MCC Beats NAIA Opponent
9/23/2008
McPHERSON, KS - The Lady Crusaders have played three matches in the last five days. MCC lost another tough match to Grace University last Friday, won a great match on Saturday against Nebraska Christian College. Last night, the team traveled to McPherson College and took the match in 4 sets. It was a great win over another NAIA team. "These past five days have been great for the team. The loss to Grace was difficult but the team played an excellent match.
I was proud of the way the girls played. On Saturday we were able to play the entire team and everyone did very well. It was also very exciting to travel to McPherson and play a solid match and grab another win over an NAIA team. We love the competition and the team really played well!" stated Coach Sanders.
Tonight, MCC takes on a conference opponent Barclay College and on Friday they will have a tri-match against Sterling College and St. Gregory's University.
MCC Defeats Central Christian College
9/19/2008
McPHERSON, KS - Last night, the Lady Crusaders traveled to McPherson, KS to take on the Central Christian College Lady Tigers. MCC easily defeated Central in 3 sets, 25-20, 25-17, 25-16. "The team did pretty good. We were trying out a new rotation, several of the defense specialist were playing in different positions than normal. They handled it well and did a good job," exclaimed Coach Sanders. Senior outside hitter, Rachel Miller led the team with 8 kills. Freshmen middle hitter, Risa Wolf was close behind with 6 kills, 1 ace, 1 solo block and 2 block assists. Senior setter Ellie Stutzman had 24 assists, 3 kills, 8 digs and 1 solo block. Freshmen defensive specialist Tiffany Brax was playing libero last night and did an excellent job, she finished with 21 digs and 1 ace.
This weekend the Lady Crusaders will play Grace University and Nebraska Christian College.
Lady Crusader Finish 2nd at the Pre-Regional Classic
9/15/2008
MANHATTAN, KS - This weekend, MCC hosted six teams from the NCCAA Central Region at the Pre-Region Classic. Pool play began Friday with MCC taking on Central Bible College and Calvary Bible College. The Lady Crusaders won both games and advanced to the semi-final round. Saturday morning, MCC defeated Baptist Bible College to advance to the Championship match. The Crusaders knew the championship match would be against a tough opponent, Grace University.
MCC came out incredibly strong the first set, winning 25-12. But Grace rallied back and took the next three sets to win the Championship match. "It was a loss of mental focus again." stated Coach Sanders. "We came out so strong in the first set, it was the team I had been waiting all year to see! Then when a little pressure was put on us, we couldn't handle it. These games keep teaching us that we must be mentally strong every point of every match! Over the whole weekend the girls played very well. I was very proud of their level of play." Ellie Stutzman and Rachel Miller were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Upcoming games this week include Central Christian College of McPherson on Wednesday, Grace University on Friday and Nebraska Christian College on Saturday.
MCC Receives First Loss of the Season
9/8/2008
PERU, NE - On Saturday, the Lady Crusaders suffered their first loss of the season to Peru State College of Peru, NE. "It was a tough loss, we were not mentally prepared to play at all. We suffered several injuries during the game and just couldn't put our game together. This was a great learning experience for the whole team," said Coach Sanders. Risa Wolf led the team with 7 kills and Rachel Miller finished with 6. Ellie Stutzman had 28 assists and 4 digs. Jen McGauley had 4 kills and 29 digs. MCC finished with 33 kills, 29 assists, 1 ace, 60 digs and 3 blocks.
This weekend the Lady Crusaders will host the Pre-Region Classic. There will be six teams representing the NCCAA Central Region attending the tournament. Games start at 9:00 am on Friday, September 12. MCC will play at 1:30 against Central Bible College and at 4:30 against Calvary Bible College.
MCC Wins Number Six
9/5/2008
MANHATTAN, KS -The Lady Crusaders defeated Union College in a 4 set match last night bringing their record to 6-0. It was a game full of long rallies and great defense on both sides. Jen McGauley finished the match with 43 digs. Rachel Miller had an exceptional game, she led the team with 16 kills. Laura Skiles was hitting the ball well from the middle as well, she finished with 11 kills. "Despite a loss of focus, the team still pulled out a win. Union came ready to play and ready to beat us. It took us a while to get into the game, but with a solid defense we kept the rallies going and came out on top! We have to learn to keep our focus at all times during the games." stated Coach Sanders. Overall the team finished the match with 58 kills, 52 assists, 11 aces, 100 digs and 2 total blocks.
On Saturday the Lady Crusaders take on another NAIA opponent, Peru State College in Peru, NE.
MCC Defeats NAIA Opponent Bethel College
9/3/2008
MANHATTAN, KS - The Lady Crusaders took on the Bethel College Threshers in their home opener match on Tuesday. "We knew Bethel was going to be tough team to beat and that they were going to be a challenge for us. In the pre-season polls for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, Bethel was picked 1st overall. But we came out ready to win! I was very proud of the team as they came back from a slump in the third game to take the match in the fourth. They kept their focus and every individual player did their job!" stated Coach Sanders. MCC won the match 25-19, 25-20, 14-25, and 25-21. Rachel Miller led the team with 15 kills. Jen McGauley did a great job on defense with 36 digs and hit well from the back row with 7 kills in the match. Ellie Stutzman finished with 7 kills, 39 assists, 2 aces and 10 digs. The team finished with 52 kills, 45 assists, 6 aces, 78 digs and 4 block assists.
The next match up for the Lady Crusaders will be at home on Thursday versus Union College of Lincoln, NE.
Crusaders Sweep Tourney
9/2/2008
ANKENY, IA - The Lady Crusader started off the 2008 season with an undefeated showing at the Spikefest Tournament at Faith Baptist Bible College. MCC easily made it through pool play defeating Ozark Christian College, Trinity Bible College, and the host team, Faith Baptist Bible College. The Championship match was going to be a tough match against Lincoln Christian College. MCC came out strong the first two sets, but Lincoln showed up in the next two sets taking them from MCC. The fifth set was a back and forth challege between the two teams. In the end, MCC pulled ahead and took the match!
MCC will be back in action at home on Tuesday against Bethel College, an NAIA team from Newton, KS. In the pre-season polls, Bethel is picked to win the KCAC. The Lady Crusaders will also play Thursday at home against Union College from Lincoln, NE.
2008 Season Preview
8/26/2008
MANHATTAN, KS - The Lady Crusaders are ready for action! The team is excited to continue a 3 year run of appearances at the NCCAA National Tournament, with seven returning players and five new recruits. "The girls have been working extremely hard, and have really bonded as a team! I am so excited to see the what this season will bring! The returning girls are pumped and ready to top last season and the new recruits are fitting into the team perfectly." stated Coach Sanders.
The Lady Crusaders kick off the season August 26th, with a scrimmage against Hesston College and hits the road for the Spikefest Tournament in Ankeny, IA on Friday, August 29. The first home game is September 2 at 7:00 against Bethel College. We hope to see you there!
