The Seward County Community College Lady Saints struggled with missed serves, yet still managed to beat Dodge City Community College in the Greenhouse on Wednesday, September 12.

The Lady Saints managed to go only to three sets to take down Dodge City Community College 3-0 (25-9. 25-14, 25-20). With the win, the Lady Saints improve to 6-2 (.750) overall and 4-0 (1.000) conference.

“We started out the way we wanted to. The girls started getting frustrated with missing the serves and it started affecting them mentally. We will be working on getting tougher as the season progresses,” Head coach Tony Trifonov said.

In every huddle, Trifonov tried to keep the Lady Saints focused and on track. It seemed to work as Sophomore Middle, Luz Sierra and Freshman Setter, Laura De Pra had an amazing block battle against the Conqs.

Part of the focus problem might have been the let down after upsetting Hutchinson Community College at Hutchinson, Kansas last week. But the Seward County Lady Saints returned to the Greenhouse and eliminated another opponent to keep the conference win streak at 6-0.

The Lady Saints have high goals as a team this season to try and win a title. Sophomore Right Side, Giovanna Tapigliani said that this year’s goal is ‘to go to Nationals.’

“Last year we had a good team and this year I think we can receive the NJCAA Championship Title by growing up and getting better by concentrating and working together as a team,” Tapigliani said.

During the first match, the highlights were: Sophomore Outside, Djuly Schmorantz had a serving streak of eight. Tapigliani had two strong kills and Freshman Outside, Tapanga Johnson hit three to the ground, which finished the first set and the match, 25-9.

The second match against DCCC was an eye-watcher match, there were a lot of good volleys. Even though Seward had tough passes, as well as serves off the mark, they still outlasted the Conqs in the battle. Dodge City’s Freshman Outside, Madi Spencer attempted a hit, but the ball went out , allowing the Lady Saints to win set two, 25-14.

In the final match, the Conqs put up a fight making the whole game interesting. The Lady Conqs had good hits against the Lady Saints, which cut the lead, with the Lady Conqs trailing behind.

Schmorantz had some great soft hits that the Conqs could not get to, expanding the lead, 11-6. Before DCCC’s good defense allowed them to trail by only four points, 14-12. The Lady Saints called a timeout and right after returning to the floor, Sierra killed the ball and won the final set and match, 25-20, 3-1.

Trifonov said as they prepare for their next part of the season, he wants ‘revenge’ on Salt Lake City for an earlier loss. But first, the Lady Saints have to fix their errors and get better by growing up and playing better against the teams in the conference.

The Lady Saints will head to Las Vegas, Nevada to play in the Lady Coyote Volleyball Invitational on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15.