The Lady Saints finish the 2022 season 11th in the NJCAA

By: Kenny Hernandez

WEST PLAINS, Mo. - Seward County Community College concludes its season with a semifinal loss to New Mexico Military Institute 3-1 on Friday, November 18th. The No. 11 Lady Saints won the first set 25-14 but lost the next three sets 30-28, 25-22, and 25-16. Seward County finishes the 2022 season with a 31-8 record and 11th place at the NJCAA National Tournament. 

The Lady Saints started the first set with a 7-0 run to take an early lead to start the match on the services of Logan Dodge. Seward County used their early lead as they led 13-6 over the Broncos. Seward County continued to dominate in the first set with a block from Aubreigh Haxton, giving the Lady Saints the first set 25-14 over New Mexico Military Institute. The Lady Saints had 16 kills and a .481 hitting percentage in the first set. 

The Broncos came out to an early 4-1 advantage at the start of the second set, but the Lady Saints battled back to tie it at 13, all with a Park kill. Both teams continued to trade off points as Seward County led 20-19 late. New Mexico looked to even up the match and took a 23-22 lead that forced Seward County to use a timeout. The second set was decided in extra points as the Broncos tied the match with a second-set victory, 30-28. The Lady Saints had 16 kills and a .220 hitting percentage in the third set. 

Seward County had to use a timeout early in the third set as New Mexico took an 8-5 lead over the Lady Saints. The Broncos extended their lead to 13-8 as the Lady Saints aced their largest match deficit thus far. Seward County battled back to tie it at 20-20 late in the third set. New Mexico went on a 5-2 run to close out the third set and took a 2-1 match lead. 

In the fourth set, New Mexico jumped to an early 5-1 lead, and Seward county used another early timeout. With the momentum shifted to the Broncos, the Lady Saints trailed 16-5 after a 6-2 run by New Mexico. Seward county continued to battle, but the deficit was too great to overcome as the Broncos won the fourth set 25-16.

Seyun Park ends the season first in the NJCAA in hitting percentage with .397, and Rafaela DaSilva ends the season fifth in the NJCAA with 1,282 total assists this season.

Seward County claimed 11th place in the NJCAA National Tournament and went 1-2 in the Tournament. The Lady Saints' historical season concludes but is one for the record books.