LAMAR, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team had a balanced offensive output as the fifth-ranked Cougars swept past Lamar Community College 25-17, 25-18, 25-19 in Region IX South Sub-region action Friday night in Lamar, Colorado.

                WNCC moves to 26-3 on the season with the win and 7-1 in conference play. WNCC will wrap up the 3-day conference road swing Saturday afternoon as they travel to Trinidad State Junior College.

                WNCC controlled the first two sets on Friday. WNCC won the first set 25-17. The Cougars and Lamar were back and forth early in the second set. WNCC then pushed the lead to 15-11 behind Kadara Marshall's serving. WNCC pushed the lead to 19-14 and won 25-18.

                The third set saw the Cougars battle back after Lamar had an 8-2 lead and led 12-5. WNCC tied the set at 12 behind Syenna Masaki's serving and pushed the lead to 20-15. WNCC won the set 25-19 after three Kirstee Tree service points.

                Brooke Kaawa led the Cougars with 11 kills followed by nine from Joise Maldonado, seven each from Sarena Bartley and Kaila Tuisamatatele, and three each from Aneta Faksova and Masaki.

                Masaki finished with a double-double with 27 set assists and 10 points. The freshman from Hawaii also had six digs.

                Also for the Cougars, Kaawa had eight digs, nine points, three aces, and three set assists; Genesis Benitez had nine digs, four points, two set assists, and an ace; Trees had six digs and six points, and Marshall had two digs and eight points.