Volleyball: Make It Seven Straight Region IX Titles

The Central Community College volleyball team won its seventh consecutive Region IX championship on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over North Platte Community College in the title game. The Raiders advance to the NJCAA District G playoffs, which will be held in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Nov. 3 and 4.

The shutout over the Knights capped off three CCC-NPCC matches that were played during the Region IX tournament at Raider Fieldhouse. On opening night, the Knights defeated the Raiders, 3-2. In that contest, CCC won the first match then watched as NPCC won the next two, followed by a rally in set 4, which set up the decisive match. But the Knights prevailed, 15-13.

Following a 3-0 win over Southeast Community College to open the second day of the tournament, which set up a second meeting of the tournament between the Raiders and the Knights.

After splitting the first two sets, CCC took the final two sets (25-12, 25-22) to set up the championship match between the Raiders and the Knights. Jacie Laetsch recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs. Chainey Tompkin logged 13 kills in the victory.

"We had an epic comeback in set four against North Platte," said CCC head coach Mary Young. "We were down as many as eight points at one time, but we kept chipping away at it and remained focused to get the win."

In the championship match, CCC opened with a 25-17 victory in set 1. The Knights kept close in set 2 before the Raiders took the win, 25-22. The momentum continued in set 3 as CCC triumphed, 25-14.

"It is so awesome to win our seventh straight Region IX title," said Young. "I'm so proud of every player on our team and the effort they gave to battle to get into the championship. Our passing was extremely solid and allowed us to do what we wanted to do offensively. Defensively, our block was solid and it slowed North Platte down and allowed us to do well in transition. it's a great day to be a Raider."

CCC will battle Bismarck State College for the NJCAA District G title beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday night, followed by an 11 a.m. meeting on Saturday. The Mystics won the Region VIII championship over NCSCS-Wahpeton over the weekend. The Raiders defeated Bismarck State, 3-0, in the Ramada Inn Classic at Raider Fieldhouse earlier this month.