Columbus, NE: In their season opener, Southwestern Community College's volleyball team faced off against Central Community College in a match that showcased the team's growing cohesion and determination. While the match ended in a loss for the Spartans, the game highlighted key performances from standout players.

Southwestern Community College's young team demonstrated their potential as they took on Central. The team focused on maintaining energy and striving for consistency throughout the match, as stated by Coach Shipley, who noted, "We are a young team and are still working out our lineup. We saw a lot of good things start to come together this match and focused on keeping the energy up. Maintaining consistency will be key for us this season."

Hallica Warren-Anderson, wearing jersey number 18, was a standout performer for Southwestern. She showcased her offensive prowess with 9 kills and made her presence felt on the defensive end with 3 blocks. Speaking about the match, Hallica remarked, "I feel like each game we play we perform more cohesively than the last. I also think we would have had a better outcome against Central if we had played at our pace and up to our full potential. I know once we achieve those two things when facing teams, we will be golden."

Emily Strait, wearing jersey number 11, demonstrated her defensive skills by leading the game with 18 digs. Her remarkable efforts contributed to the team's strong defensive performance throughout the match.

Samira Baade, wearing jersey number 19, played a pivotal role as a setter, securing 13 assists and adding 1 ace to her name. Reflecting on the match, Samira stated, "The game against Central Community was our first actual game. At first, we were all a little bit nervous. But we got into the game really fast. The energy got up getting into the 3rd set. Overall, it sadly was a loss, but definitely a learning experience."

Although the outcome of the match favored Central Community, the Southwestern Community College Spartans showcased their potential for growth and improvement as the season unfolds. The team's home opener is scheduled for August 24th at 7:00 PM against Peru State College JV. Fans and supporters are encouraged to come out and witness the Spartans' determination and progress on their home court.