CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Northwest Mississippi Community College volleyball team found out their fate at the NJCAA Division II Volleyball Championship on Wednesday afternoon, earning an early call with the ninth overall seed in the field of 20 teams that will meet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, starting on November 18.
"I'm excited," Head Coach Allison Burchyett said. "To be in the top ten in our first trip to the national tournament, it's quite a testament to our program."
"I'm very excited that we are top ten," sophomore setter Dallas White said. "I didn't expect that, and it's crazy to think that we are the first Mississippi team to make it and we are in that position."
The Rangers will face off against #8 Gulf Coast State College out of Florida, with the Commodores, who enter the tournament at 23-8 after earning an at-large bid from Florida.
"We know they are a good team, but that doesn't matter," White said. "We just have to play our game no matter what happens."
The Commodores are led by Isabella Lopez, who finished the season with 357 kills while hitting .259. Kennedy Connell adds another 269 kills, and six total players have tallied over 100 on the season.
Alexa Valentine is the leading setter for Gulf Coast State with over 714 assists, and Stefany Ortiz adds in another 394.
They also bring a strong defense, with Kamryn Garcia leading a back row with 425 digs, and two players who have totaled over 65 blocks this year in Anna Csata and Hannah Ottley.
"We know some teams that have played them, and we'll get their input and see some film on those matches against Gulf Coast," Burchyett said. "I like our chances, but I like our chances against just about anybody. When we step on the court, it's the same height net on both sides, and my girls will come and play."
If the Rangers win, they would potentially face off against the only other undefeated team in the country, with Kirkwood Community College awaiting the winner of the 16-17 match in their opening round match later on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Northwest has been hungry for this opportunity all season long, and Burchyett said regardless of who they play and how the bracket plays out.
"This is the national stage they have been looking for," she said. "They are getting to play the top teams in the country, and it's a chance to show what they are made of and a chance to represent Mississippi and the southern part of the country."
"I know all of these teams that made it are really great teams, and I expect their best," White said, adding that they aren't going to back down from any challenge they face. "I expect the best from us, and I just want us to play our game and play hard. Whatever happens is going to happen, so we need to leave it all on the court."
That all said, the team also knows there isn't time to sit back are rest on the laurels of making the national tournament. If they want to make some noise while they are there, the next week will require them to put in the extra work to stay sharp.
"We have to work on defense," White said. "Those corner shots are still a little open, and we need to press on the block and work a little bit harder than we have. We work hard every day, but this just takes a little bit more. It takes 120 percent instead of 110 percent. We are the first team to make it, so we have to set the bar high."
Follow along with the Ranger volleyball team's journey to the national championship by checking out nwccrangers.com or by checking out Northwest social media accounts. You can also find all tournament information on the NJCAA national website.
