The Lady Saints sweep Pratt on sophomore night

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County Community College volleyball program swept Pratt Community College last Saturday night 25-11, 25-14, and 25-16 on sophomore night. With the victory, the Lady Saints are guaranteed at least a share of the KJCCC regular season title. The Lady Saints remained unbeaten at home with a 9-0 record as they improved to 27-5 on the year and 14-1 in conference play. Seward County will travel to El Dorado, Kansas, on Wednesday, October 26th, to take on Butler Community College with this match to decide if it is a share of the title or to win the conference title outright. 

Before the match, Seward County recognized the 11 sophomores for their hard work and contribution to the Lady Saints volleyball program, community, and campus. The sophomores that were recognized were #2 Kavlyn Giacomelli, #4 Ana Cambraia, #5 Aubreigh Haxton, #6 Laura Almeida, #7 Seyun Park, #10 Malena Catala, #11 Sarah Cruz, #14 Jessica Sales, #15 Ileim Terrero, #16 Logan Dodge, and #25 Michell Jerez.

On the match's first point, the three-time KJCCC setter of the week Rafaela DaSilva recorded a personal milestone of her 1,000 assists of the season. This started a Lady Saints rally as they jumped to an 11-0 run over the Beavers with DaSilva at the service line. Seward County continued with their strong service games as Jessica Sales extended the lead to 18-5 later in the opening set. The No. 13 Lady Saints closed out the first set with a 25-11 victory and moved into the second set with a 1-0 match lead.

Kavlyn Giacomelli started strong in the second set from the service line as Seward County jumped out to a 6-0 advantage. The Lady Saints rotated in a third-year sophomore setter Ileim Terrero on the sophomore night as Seward County continued to lead the Beavers 20-7. Seward County went on to win the second set 25-14.

The Lady Saints started the third set in a similar fashion with a 9-1 advantage as Giacomelli served once again. Seward County continued to dominate in the match as they went on a 9-4 run to take a commanding 18-5 lead in the third set. On set point, the Lady Saints substituted sophomore Michell Jerez as an outside hitter but could not finish the match. Seward County defeated Pratt in the third set after a Clara Duarte kill to take the set 25-16 and swept the Beavers on sophomore night.

Sarah Cruz led the Lady Saints' offense with seven kills with a .600 hitting percentage and only played in one set on Saturday. Kavlyn Giacomelli had a great serves match with a career-high nine aces, and Logan Dodge added five aces. 

Seward County will take on Butler on Wednesday at 6 PM CT to decide if the Lady Saints will receive the conference title outright or share it with the Grizzlies.