Photo - Austin Lindell
JAMESTOWN - It was a sight to see Tuesday night at the Physical Education Complex as the stands had plenty of spectators, the most since the end of the 2019-20 winter athletic season when the global pandemic first happened.
Fast forward 18-months and you could tell that the Jamestown Community College volleyball team didn't skip a beat, defeating NJCAA DII Lakeland Community College with a score of 3-1 in front of a crowd of approximately 200 fans.
"It was great to be back home and what better way to open the season than with a gym full of fans and a win," said head coach Ashley Lund. "I've always thought that we have the best fans , but being away for a year makes you appreciate them that much more. It was great to see the stands full of life and excitement and to top it off with a win only makes it that much sweeter."
The No. 5 Jayhawks (1-0) started out fast and capitalized on the Lakers' miscues, winning the first two sets 25-15 and 25-18, respectively. JCC was looking for the sweep but Lakeland was able to settle in, earning the 25-19 win in the third set.
Looking to put away the Lakers, the Jayhawks couldn't sustain the lead as the team traded a number of points towards the end. Trailing 24-23 late in the fourth set, the Jayhawks were able to knot the set up and fire off two more points to come away with the win.
The Jayhawks offense attacked in many ways with freshman outside hitter Emma McCarthy (Olean, NY/Allegany-Limestone Central) leading the way with 10 kills with freshman Maggie McClellian (Olean, NY/Olean HS) adding nine kills. Freshman middle hitter Claire Pumford (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown HS) also had her hand in the offensive attack, finishing with seven kills.
The offense was facilitated through freshman setter Madison Johnson (Panama, NY/Panama Central), coming away with 29 assists.
JCC also distributed the digs by committee as well with four players earning double-digit digs. Claire Pumford led the way with 14 digs while McCarthy and freshman outside hitter Megan Cotter (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown HS) each had 12 digs on the night.
The Jayhawks will travel out west this weekend to the Owens Invitational where they will take on the College of DuPage and Terra State on Friday, September 3rd. On Saturday, JCC will take on Clark State College and end the trip against No. 1 Owens Community College.
