Raptors Volleyball Earn Five Wins and Capture Dragon Invitational Title
Freshmen outside hitters Isabel Nelligan and Anna Chepurnova are each averaging at least three kills per set as the Montgomery College volleyball team started the season off with a five-game winning streak to win the Dragon Invitational this past weekend at the Howard Community College.
The Raptors won a pair of matches against Potomac State College and went through the entire tournament without losing a single set to their opponents.
"They gelled well together, and they played and cheered as a cohesive unit. Each player had a part in the success this weekend," said head coach Tori Kenno, "[this tournament] sets the tone and the expectations for the rest of the season."
Nelligan totaled 80 digs and 55 kills, freshman DS Chanel Sanford recorded 26 digs and 67 assists, and freshman outside hitter Keturah Gregory tallied 28 kills and 20 total blocks on the weekend.
MC showed up strong defeating CCBC Essex in straight sets 25-16, 25-13, 25-10 and blanking Potomac State 25-16, 25-14, 25-18. Day two looked like the more of the same routine for the Raptors, as the results were no different. Montgomery continued their dominance defeating CCBC Beaver in three sets 25-8, 25-16, 25-9 to wrap up pool-play.
In the semifinal match, the Raptors faced the Harford CC Owls, who were the second seed in Pool One, and MC came out the other side with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 victory. In the Championship match, Montgomery faced a familiar team which resulted in a similar outcome, defeating Potomac State College 25-21, 25-14, 25-16 to be crowned the 2018 Dragon Invitational Volleyball Tournament Champions. Freshmen, Skyler Thiessen, Isabel Nelligan and Anya Chepurnova were selected to the All-Tournament Team from Montgomery College.
Up Next:
After three road contests, the Raptors will play at home next week in the main gym of the PE Building on the Rockville Campus. Montgomery will open up its home slate with a game on September 18, taking on Maryland JUCO opponent CCBC Essex at 6:00 p.m. followed by another match on Thursday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m. hosting Howard Community College.
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