Bluejay volleyball team three-peats as champs
Tabor volleyball team sweeps Bethel
Beating archrival Bethel during the regular season is nothing new for the Lady Bluejays, it's the postseason that would be.
And any win against her alma mater is big for Bluejay coach Amy Ratzlaff, but it's even bigger when there's a chance to win the league title outright for the third straight time.
The Bluejays disposed of their nemesis Threshers in three matches to end the regular season by respective scores, 30-23, 30-19, and 32-30.
The sweep of the Threshers ends the regular season for the Bluejays at 15-5 in the KCAC and 18-12 on the year.
"I'm the most excited about the championship because the women worked so hard to get where they got," Ratzalff said. "I feel like we definitely played one of our best defensive games that we have played in a long time.
"Our block was definitely full force and our back row defense was doing an excellent job and it really kept our game alive.
"That was definitely a goal for the women (winning league title) after having two championships. Anytime you can win a conference by yourself, that's motivating."
Ratzlaff built the foundation for Tabor volleyball around seniors Angela Kroeker, Carmen Hein, Rachelle Regier, Sara McAllister, and Laura Campbell.
"They really have worked very hard and are very deserving of any honors that they get," said Ratzlaff of her seniors. "That was really my first recruiting class and they came in before there were any guarantees.
"They kind of signed on before they knew if we could produce results and what were going to be setting our goals on. They really stuck with it and they have worked hard every step of the way. I really could not have asked for a more dedicated and phenomenal group of women to work with for four years."
On Thursday, the five along with manager Hillary Drifill were rewarded for their contributions to Bluejay volleyball.
Playing their final regular season game in Hillsboro, Region IV setter of the week McAllister had 40 assists and Angela Kroeker notched 13 kills to go along with 15 digs.
Rachelle Regier added 10 kills while picking up six blocks behind Campbell's team-high seven.
In digs, Staci Whitcomb paced the Bluejays with 19 and Johannah Love contributed with 13.
Shannon Kroeker, Whitcomb and Campbell added to the kills with eight, seven, and seven, respectively.
After a first round bye on Tuesday, the Bluejays play host tonight to the winner of Tuesday's game between Ottawa and Bethel at 7 p.m.
McPherson
The Bluejays were assured at least of a tie of the KCAC title after sweeping the hosting McPherson Lady Bulldogs Nov. 4.
Tabor beat the Bulldogs, 30-19, 30-24, and 30-17.
McAllister led the Bluejays with another 40 assist night, and Angela Kroeker and Regier pitched in 11 and 10 kills, respectively as Regier also added half of the Bluejays' eight blocks.
In digs, Whitcomb and Angela had 15 each with Carmen Hein and Love combining for 23.
