DRAGONS’ SEASON ENDS IN REGION VI FINALS

Payton Gawith had a double-double in a four-set Region VI semifinal win over Colby on Sunday in Liberal. (Photo courtesy Ian Applegate/Seward County Sports Information)

November 4, 2018

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

LIBERAL – The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team couldn't quite replicate its magical postseason run of 2017.
The Blue Dragons pulled off the first part with a four-set Region VI Tournament semifinal victory (15-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-20) over Colby on Sunday at the Green House in Liberal. But in the championship match, the Blue Dragons were swept by tournament top seed Seward County 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 22-25) ending the Blue Dragons' season.

One year ago, Hutchinson downed Colby in the semifinals, but swept Seward County on the Saints' home floor.

With the victory over Colby, the Blue Dragons earned their 16th Region VI Tournament championship match berth in the last 18 seasons. Hutchinson ends the 2010 season with a 19-16 record.

COLBY RECAP
The first two sets against Colby were a strange beginning to the day. The Trojans dominated the first set 25-15. Immediately, the Blue Dragons responded in building a 21-5 lead. Colby then went on a 12-1 run to get to 22-17 before the Dragons finally closed out the set and tying the match.

Hutchinson was able to build early leads in both the third and fourth sets to earn the semifinal victory and defeat Colby for the first time in three matches this season.

Freshman Eden Hiebert led Hutchinson with 14 kills on .219 hitting. Sophomores Elena Takova and Lexi Hogan had 11 kills each and freshman Delilah Vigil had seven kills on .545 hitting.

Setters Cassidy Crites and Payton Gawith both posted double-doubles against Colby. Crites finished with 28 assists and 10 digs. Gawith had 16 assists and a career high 18 digs.

Sophomore libero Raychel Reed finish with 23 digs.

Hutch had four total blocks and only one service ace.

SEWARD COUNTY RECAP
Seward County's overall firepower was ultimately too much for the Blue Dragons in the championship match.

Lexi Hogan had a team-high seven digs, while Crites and Hiebert had five kills each and Takova had four.

The Blue Dragons finished with nine team blocks. Takova and Vigil each had one solo and four block assists each.

Hiebert finished with nine digs and three service aces.

Crites had 15 assist and eight digs. Gawith had 11 assists.

Reed finished with seven digs.