OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Freshman outside/right-side hitter Ava Esser posted a night for the ages, tallying a remarkable 31 kills to set the Johnson County record for kills in a match, fueling the No. 5-ranked Cavaliers to a four-set victory (25-22, 25-23, 25-20, 25-17) at Neosho County on Wednesday in both team's conference opener.
Essar's final stat line for the night was 31 kills, on 52 attacks for a .500 kill percentage, five blocks and four digs. With an incredible 7.75 kills per set during the performance, she bested the previous record of 28 by All-American Jordan Lockwood against Allen on September 16, 2009. In Kansas Jayhawk Community College history, Esser became just the 14th player all-time to have 30-plus kills, ranking tied for eighth. Her 31 kills also marked the most by any NJCAA D-II player in a match this season.
"Ava came alive against Neosho as an attacker," said JCCC head coach Jennifer Ei. "She was dynamic with her powerful swings, tooling off the block, and found finesse on off speed shots. She accumulated her 31 kills from both pins and backrow attacks. Ava continues to be an impressive force for our team."
Freshman outside/right-side hitter Lily Waters added 11 kills, reaching double digits for the first time of her young collegiate career. She also finished with nine digs narrowly missing a double-double.
Freshman setter Campbell Chabot, the reigning two-time KJCCC D-II Setter of the Week, guided the offense with 39 assists, an average of 9.75 per set. Freshman setter Cami Roberts also helped with her best effort of the year, finishing with 12 assists.
Defensively, sophomore Carlie Martin, who was named the NJCAA D-II Defensive Player of the Week yesterday before the match, racked up a season-high 29 digs. That effort also ranks as her third-best effort of her career. Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Boyer posted 11 digs and freshman libero Adira Ewy added nine digs.
Overall, the Cavaliers had 61 kills with 83 digs, 58 assists and 18 blocks. Neosho County finished with just .138 hitting on the night with only seven blocks against the powerful JCCC offense.
Johnson County (7-2/1-0) travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa this weekend for the Kirkwood Community College Tournament. The Cavaliers open the tournament on Friday, September 5, versus No. 11 Sauk Valley Community College, followed by Southeastern Community College who JCCC swept earlier this season. On Saturday they will take on host Kirkwood, the No. 4-ranked team in NJCAA Division II.