Parkland Volleyball places second in the National Tournament

by savannah Weishaar

The Parkland College Volleyball Team participated in their 11th consecutive national tournament starting on Nov. 15th. Similarly to the past six years, Parkland dominated the tournament, earning runner-up National Champions.

Parkland College hosted a Watch Party for the Cobras first game of nationals. Students and faculty gathered in the student union Thursday morning munching on popcorn and watching the team play against Northern Virginia. Parkland faced no challenge sweeping North Virginia in three sets, winning the first set 25-8, second set 25-11, and final set 25-7.

Later that evening the Cobras would play in the quarterfinal match versus Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids gave Parkland a little more of a challenge, but hardly. The Cobras were still able to sweep all three sets of this game as well. The team won the first set 25-14, second set 25-18, and third set 25-19.

After their second win of the day, the Cobras would take the rest of the night to rest for their semifinal game the following day.  In the semifinal game on Friday, Parkland played Johnson County who gave no troubles to the Cobras as they once again swept all three sets–first 25-15, second 25-16, and final 25-11.

These three consecutive wins put Parkland in the National Championship game on Saturday the 17th. This is the game the team had been working all year for. They were to face rival Coffeyville in the final match. Parkland had lost to this team earlier in the season in four brutal sets. Now, the Cobras were out for revenge. However, Parkland was unable to take the lead and fell to Coffeyville in all three sets 18-25, 18-25, and 16-25. This loss placed them as #2 in the nation. Obviously, the Cobras have plenty to be proud of, Head Coach Cliff Hastings told Parkland’s sports reporter,  “We didn’t play well in the last match, but that doesn’t diminish an outstanding overall season. I am so proud of the work that each one of these young ladies put into the team and themselves to get us to a national championship match.”

The entire team is to thank for such an outstanding season–all 18 players. However, two freshmen, Ryleigh Warfel and Rachel Verdun, particularly shined throughout the year, especially in the national tournament–both making All-Tournament Team.

Outside hitter Warfel led the team in kills for the entire tournament. In the first game she had 7 kills, in the quarterfinal she had 15, and in the semifinal versus Johnson County, Warfel had her season high of 17 kills. In the championship game, Warfel had 12 ending the tournament with an impressive total of 51 kills. “I’m just proud of how hard everyone worked as individuals so that we could all pull together for one last tournament with each other.” said Warfel. “Personally, I am so proud of myself as a player and person for being better everyday on and off the court and my coaches all taught me that, so, I owe most of my award to them.”

Not only does she have her coaches to thank for her award, but also her fellow teammates, especially her setter Rachel Verdun. Verdun was also named All-Tournament Team and had an impressive last few games as well. Verdun had 21 assists in the first game, 28 in the quarterfinal, and along with Warfel during the semifinal, Verdun had an amazing game as well with a season high of 5 kills and 33 assists. Verdun had 25 assists in the championship game for an outstanding total of 107 assists in the national tournament. “I agreed with the decisions on naming Rachel and Ryleigh to the All-Tournament team,” said coach Hastings. “They were consistent both physically and emotionally during the week. They led with their play, and they led by example, and I’m really proud of both their individual efforts.”

All in all, a huge congratulations is in order for the entire Parkland Women’s Volleyball Team on placing second in the National Tournament and a phenomenal season.