Johnson County sweeps ’Hounds

Fort Scott Community College’s volleyball team was swept in Jayhawk Conference-Division II play for the second time in three days. Monday night, they lost at Neosho County. Wednesday night at Arnold Arena, the 13th-ranked Greyhounds were defeated by Johnson County, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21.

Johnson County (3-2 division, 6-11 overall) played more like the national power that it usually is than the team that began the season with five consecutive losses. Meanwhile, the Greyhounds (2-3, 12-6) suffered their first loss in seven home matches this season.

Statistically, the teams were fairly close at first glance. Bur Johnson County had a higher kill percentage and more blocks at the net. The Cavaliers are a taller team overall, especially up front, and took advantage of that.

Each set was hard-fought with neither team leading by more than three in the first until Johnson County scored 11 of the last 16 with the ’Hounds unable to keep serve once the regained it. Bre Kamaka, who led the Cavaliers with 11 kills in the match, ended the first set with one.

Johnson County held a 17-10 lead in the second set before Fort Scott scored 9 of the next 12 to get within 20-19. But Greyhound errors led to the Cavs getting 5 of the final 7.

The Cavs held a big lead again during the third set, going up 17-11 and 19-12.

It was 24-18 but a long serve gave service back to the Greyhounds. A Johnson County error scored the 20th point. A Brittany Barnekoff kill off a free ball at the net scored the 21st. But an error off a set gave the last point and the match to Johnson County.

Megan Turner led Fort Scott with 9 kills and also had 14 digs. Barnekoff finished with 7 kills and 3 blocks while Kalyn Beel had 6 kills. Cate Stambaugh, a 6’ 1” sophomore from Louisburg, added 7 kills for the Cavs.

Hanna White handed out 17 assists and Karlee Stanley dished 12 for the ’Hounds. Jade Askren had 22 for Johnson and Tanner Wallace gave out 13.

Katie Gorman came up with 25 digs for Fort Scott. Torey Burkhardt led Johnson County with 15.

The Greyhounds are back in Chanute this weekend for the Neosho County Tournament.