JCCC Volleyball returns home for a very Harry Potter rivalry match  

The JCCC Women’s Volleyball team continued their excellent play over a busy weekend, going 3-1 in the Heartland Classic in Normal, Ill. The Cavs won both matches on Friday, beating Heartland Community College 3-1 and Rock Valley Community College 3-1.  

Saturday was another story, at least to start the day. JCCC faced Parkland College, a team they lost to in a 3-2 thriller at the NJCAA Division II National Championship tournament last year, and they met a similar fate this time. The Cavs took the first set 25-20 before Parkland reeled off three sets in a row to grab the match. That despite 12 kills from sophomore outside hitter Ava Esser and 11 kills from freshman right side hitter Sydney Rogokos. The Cavs finished their run with a 3-1 win over Hawkeye College behind 21 kills from Esser. 

The stakes rise for JCCC this week, but at least they’re home. On Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., the Cavs face crosstown and conference rivals Kansas City Kansas Community College, which has won six of their last seven matches. It is Harry Potter Night at the Gym, featuring Butter Beer, Dollar Dogs, Wands and other giveaways. 

Women’s Soccer goes into the final week red hot 

Play the JCCC Women’s Soccer team at your own risk right now. Ask Allen County Community College, which fell 6-0 last Wednesday. Or ask KCKCC, who seemed to be up for a shootout with the Cavs this past Saturday. Didn’t happen. JCCC took that match 8-1. Give the rival Blue Devils a little credit – that was the first goal the Cavs have surrendered since September 19. 

Next up is Pratt Community College, who will be on campus Wednesday at 2 p.m., followed by a Saturday, 5 p.m. visit from Southeast Community College. The Cavs blitzed Southeast last month 22-0, tying a school record from 2009. These are the final matches before the nation’s No. 2-ranked Cavs head into regional playoffs. 

Men’s Soccer head into final week with momentum 

The JCCC Men’s Soccer team scored a big 3-2 win over KCKCC on Saturday to make for a perfect 2-0 week. They defeated Allen County 7-2, fueled by a hat trick from sophomore forward Connor Meyers. The win over the KCK Blue Devils was powered by goals from three different Cavs, ending with a penalty kickgoal by Ty Jacob Sisler, giving them a 3-1 lead that they held onto. 

The men also finish the regular season this, at home against Pratt on Wednesday (4:30 p.m.) and Southeast on Saturday, which is listed to start at 5 p.m. Both of the Cavs’ upcoming opponents have struggled this season, so the men might be headed to regionals with even more momentum on their side.